I must admit that I have a bias towards quality. I bought Doblis by Hermes in 2004, I didn’t hesitate; because I knew I would wear it until there was not a drop left in the flacon. My regret? I didn’t buy a spare. As I look at my perfume collection, there are very few barely used bottles. Roja Dove, the famous fragrance expert, perfumer and historian recently answered the question "what makes a good perfume" and he replied “Good-quality materials and a perfumer following their own heartbeat and not copying someone or something else.”
Price and quality aren’t necessarily one and the same, However, Sergio Momo's Xerjoff is one of the brands I gravitate towards; Elle, Lua , and Lira are personal favorites. A Xerjoff scent always seems to me to be singularly special because of their uncompromising use of quality materials. When I received a sample of XJ17/171861, at first sniff, I nearly swooned. This just may be one of the best citrus openings I have smelled and if you are a citrus fan XJ17/171861 should be on your “to try list”
“Bergamot is one of the most ubiquitous fragrance ingredients you can name. So often you note it as being there but because of how common it is you tend to almost neglect it. One of the amazing things about 1861 is the opening bergamot note. This is no pedestrian bergamot note, it is so shiny and bright it feels like a diamond; making the more normal bergamot notes cubic zirconia. I found myself spraying 1861 just to encounter the bergamot note but that is only the beginning. Petit grain, lime and orange add typical citrus depth to the bergamot. Then Spring breaks as the green floralcy of lily of the valley arrives. Just as with the bergamot in the top, the lily of the valley is of an unusual quality much higher than you normally encounter. The note list mentions mint and that particular note can be a particular bugaboo for me but if it is there it is very subtle. 1861 settles into a strong amber and cedar base with a touch of musk”.
The fragrance is neither masculine nor feminine; it's totally down the middle unisex and can worn by anyone; On me the citrus notes are Queen and the drydown is mostly amber and musk lending a a more feminine slant; one of readers (a woman), feels it’s more masculine.
–Michelyn Camen, EIC
Xerjoff was kind enough to email me and offer a full 100ml flacon to one reader. To be eligible leave a comment on your favorite Xerjoff scent, (or one you would like to try) AND your thoughts on quality vs quantity.IF YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR FAVORITE OR ONE YOU WANT TO TRY YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED Draw closes August 21, 2011