Torino21 Xerjoff 2021

Habe meine gerade heute bekommen. Ein Hauch von Nio, aber das ist etwa neuwertig. Hat auf jeden Fall einen sportlichen Touch. Eine schöne, frische Komposition, die sich (hoffentlich) sehr gut verkaufen wird. Es ist wie ein verfeinertes Renaissance, aber mit viel mehr Inhalt. Sehr leicht zu tragen. Ich werde ihn in den Sommermonaten viel mehr genießen. Es fühlt sich fast wie der perfekte Sportduft an, aber mit mehr Raffinesse als all die Designer-Sportangebote. Ich hoffe, dass es irgendwann 100 ml gibt, denn diesen Duft möchte man immer wieder benutzen. Ein zukünftiger Klassiker für mich.

Starts off with a blast of green, sweet/sour citrus. As it dries down and develops, I get more of a clean, light, beachy fig leaf. Think beach hotel with many plants and trees. It wears very lightly and seems best for warmer days. Great for in the office wears and perfectly unisex.

Not a big projection scent but it does stick around for many hours, maybe 6-7.

I do like (not love) the smell from beginning to end but the performance is lacking.

Xerjoff Torino21 stands out in the crowded field of summer fragrances by doing something deceptively simple - making mint last. Where many perfumes introduce mint only to let it fade within minutes, Torino21 maintains a persistent mint note that feels like freshly crushed leaf mint, the kind you'd muddle into a cocktail. This minty clarity is paired with lemon, basil, and thyme, creating an aromatic green-citrus opening.

The heart of the fragrance introduces subtle florals: lavender, jasmine, and rosemary alongside blackcurrant, which adds a slightly sweet dimension.
The dry-down is understated, with musk and lemon verbena rounding out the composition. The base doesn’t offer deep complexity, but it supports the top and heart notes well enough to keep the scent coherent throughout its wear.

In my opinion, the more intriguing aspect of Torino21 is its subtle nod to tennis culture - very appropriate, given the context of this fragrance line. Though not as overt as in Torino22 (my fave in this line), I can detect an accord reminiscent of tennis balls or the ambiance of a tennis pitch... perhaps a mix of rubbery freshness and indoor court air. It’s a curious touch that adds uniqueness.

In terms of performance, Torino21 offers moderate longevity. About six hours on skin, and maybe 1-2 extra hours if sprayed on clothing. The minty scent bubble will be noticeable for the first couple of hours. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s consistent.

Torino21 is a fragrance that succeeds by staying true to its minty promise. It’s a clean, green, and subtly sporty scent that feels wearable. Essentially, this is a viable option for those seeking a summer fragrance that doesn’t rely on heavy woods or aquatic clichés. Spray 25+ times - game, set, match!

Torino21 has never felt like a complicated fragrance to me.

It is simply enjoyable from the moment I spray it.

The fresh minty, citrusy character immediately puts me in a summer mood and makes me think of a relaxed holiday somewhere warm. It feels light, energetic and easy to wear, but still polished enough to avoid becoming just another basic fresh fragrance.

What I appreciate most is how effortlessly it works. It does not demand a special occasion, a specific outfit or much thought. You can wear it during the day, on vacation, to lunch or simply whenever you want something uplifting.

Performance is also quite good for this style of fragrance. It lasts better than many summer scents I have tried and maintains a noticeable presence without becoming heavy in the heat.

After trying the other releases in the Torino series, including Torino22, Torino23 and Torino24, Torino21 remains my favorite. For me, it is still the most enjoyable, wearable and complete of them.

I also think the 50 ml bottle is more than enough. This is the kind of fragrance I enjoy regularly, but not one I feel the need to own in a very large quantity.

It may not be the most complex fragrance in my collection, but every summer it reminds me why popularity is not always undeserved.

I'm generally a contrarian when it comes to fragrance; I dislike a lot of universally loved fragrances and try to dig up diamonds in the rough, even if they have bad reviews. But I really can't help but like Torino 21. I avoided trying it for so long since the name and theming irritate me. I understand that Xerjoff are a sponsor of some tennis tournament, but they have to name it after the city it's taking place in plus the year? That would be like naming the official World Cup fragrance Moscow 18 or Qatar 22, just zero creativity or hint as to what it might smell like (and the different editions Torino22, Torino23, etc smell nothing like this one). In other words, I had a lot of negative thoughts surrounding Torino 21 before trying it.

But it is really a beautiful scent. The folks deriding its lack of originality, I totally understand, since I was in their place a year or two ago. But there really isn't a lot you can do to make a citrus-musk freshie stand out. Torino 21 is just composed brilliantly: the mint is there and strong, but doesn't take over the scent, the herbs don't dominate either, as unfortunately they did in Buongiorno. Mostly the citrus, fruity notes (blackcurrant in the note pyramid), florals, and musk come through, and it really reminds me a lot of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Aqua line. However, the florals are toned down in Torino 21 compared to, say, Aqua Celestia Forte, to make way for the mint note, and I appreciate the change.