Givenchy
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Bright, almost astringent—the green notes and citrus assault first with lemon and bergamot's sharp sparkle, whilst jasmine and mace crackle with spiced-herbal energy. This initial burst feels deliberately bracing, like cold water rather than warm embrace.
The real character emerges here as juniper and cypress bloom into something genuinely aromatic and herbaceous, supported by cinnamon's gentle warmth and geranium's soft, slightly peppery florality. The fragrance becomes a conversation between spice and green, settling into a composed, thoughtful groove that suggests vintage tailoring and intellectual pursuits.
Everything pulls inward—the woody base of cedar and vetiver dominates, with oakmoss and leather adding suede-like dryness whilst frankincense contributes faint incense-like whispers. By the fourth hour, barely a cloud remains; this is perhaps the fragrance's greatest weakness, fading to a mere skin scent rather than lingering presence.
Xeryus arrives as a carefully orchestrated paradox—a fragrance that feels simultaneously green and spiced, fresh yet deeply earthy. Alberto Morillas has crafted something that refuses easy categorisation, which explains both its cult following and its divisive nature. The opening bristles with a sharp, almost herbal brightness from the green notes dancing around jasmine and violet, but this is no innocent floral soirée. There's mace lending a peppery bite, whilst the citrus trio of lemon, bergamot, and mandarin adds a bracing, slightly tart quality that keeps everything from becoming perfume-counter pretty.
What makes Xeryus genuinely compelling is its heart—cypress and juniper berry create an almost gin-like, juniper-forward aromatics that feel unexpectedly masculine, whilst cinnamon and coriander add a subtle spiced warmth that never tips into Oriental excess. The tarragon and petitgrain give it a herbal, almost culinary dimension, as though you've wandered into a high-end apothecary rather than a fragrance counter. This is a scent for the considered wearer, someone who appreciates aromatic complexity over immediate seduction.
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4.0/5 (313)