Quality vs. Quantity: “Xerjoff XJ17/ 17 1861” Draw

 

 

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”

 

 

Managing Editor Mark Behnke was the first to review 1861 when he was at Esxence 2011 and I will revisit his review because I could not improve on it

 

“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

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116 comments

  • sherobin says:

    I haven’t been lucky enough to sniff amy of the Xerjoff fragrances yet, but I would love to try Irisss.

    The further I get into this fragrance thing (going on 5 years now), the more I feel I only want to sample – and invest in – perfumes of the highest quality I can get my hands on. I used to want to smell everything, but increasingly it is quality that I’m after, and I know I simply have too much perfume.

  • Sandi says:

    This one is the one I have been waiting for! Loved how you described the Bergamot. The base notes are those I grab me ever time. Quality ingredients produce an outcome far beyond what we invision. Great read as was Mark’s. Such a gracious gift 😉

  • Ccc says:

    I never go for quantity. 🙂 It doesn’t satisfy me in anyway. And it applies to everything I enjoy in life, staring with food …and finishing with fragrances. Creating a fragrance is art and there is no art without quality.
    I love XXY and found Elle and Irisss beautiful and well done.

  • Tyler says:

    Kobe is by far my favorite Xerjoff fragrance. I don’t have a clean-cut ideology (black-white) of quality vs quantity. There can be joy found in varying qualities at differing quantities 😉

  • Claudia says:

    Wow what an awesome draw…….my favorite Xerjoff is Verona also available under the name Lira followed by Lua and Elle. I feel that i would much rather have quality fragrances over quantity of ones i will never wear. Quality goes a long way and Xerjoff is definitely Quality. Jim wears Kobe and i love it on him. He sampled this one and it smell uber delicious on a man. As a matter of fact i prefer this one one him over me. Thanks for the great draw.

  • Dorje says:

    I have only sampled a few Xerjoff frags, and so far Kobe is my favorite. It also sports an amazingly high quality citrus note, and the oud and amber are perfectly balanced and never overwhelming. I would rather have fewer high quality scents than many low quality ones. I have found some lower priced frags from Caron and YSL to be satisfying, like Yatagan and Kouros, but they are the exception to the rule. Xerjoff is very expensive, but in this case I believe you get what you pay for, and while I might not be able to afford the entire collection I can see buying one or two of my favorites. I don’t think anyone else comes close to the quality of Xerjoff’s citrus accords, and they manage to get amazing longevity in their citrus as well. I have not sampled 1861 yet but it sounds good.

  • Wendy says:

    Quality of course, is better, and yet, sometimes a girl needs a quickie. Haven’t smelled any of these yet, but they are on the list. I love the smell of Bergamont.

  • Robert says:

    I would love to try Kobe, as the reviews I have read have been very positive. I believe quality ingredients really do make a difference, whether they are natural or synthetic. I am glad that Xerjoff has released the 1861 in 100 ml and look forward to trying this and the others offered by this great house. Thank you for this opportunity.

  • S.D. BE says:

    I love Oesel from the Xerjoff line. When I started this perfume hobby, I prefered quantity. But now my preference goes to quality. You can have 30 designer bottles and still smell ordinary. Why not invest this money on some high quality fragrances? All the best.

  • James says:

    I loved Irisss. It’s weird since normally you associate iris as feminine but I love iris in fragrances like dior homme. I’d love to try this one as the notes sound fascinating.

    obviously quality over quantity. I would rather have 20 ml of quality fragrance over 100ml of any run-of-the-mill designer frag they are pushing out these days

    it’s very nice of you to do this!

  • Felicia G says:

    The question of Q vs Q. Well, it depends on how you see it I guess because while I want to say that I am just a believer in Quality, I have found the rare occasion when quantity was slightly superior. Let me explain. Say you have a huge bottle of cheap wine to share with someone you care about or you can choose an upscale glass of Veuve Cliquot for just you?? No brainer you get banged up with your buddy on the big bottle of cheap wine.
    However, I do not see the rule apply the same to for example handbags. If I have my choice of a different handbag for every season that is trendy and poor quality then I will choose one neutral bag of superior quality and classic style to use instead of the four others. In terms of friends I preffer to have a few of the closest and coolest people ever in my life as opposed to a dozen or so mid range flakes that drift and are not accountable.
    I love the bottle it looks unique in an almost phallic way. I like the mystery of the numbers and how the bottle has angles on it that might be upsetting to people who must have complete symatry. I would love to try this one I have no experience with any of Xerjoff .
    Thanks for the draw guys:)

  • ololiuqui says:

    I haven’t still tryed 1861 yet,but I would love to.I love the Xerjoff scents and not only for their high quality ingredients,but for their formulation and the statement they make .XJ Homme is one of the most balases scents ever,Kobe is quite original but all the scents wouldn’t be so great if they didn’t used the best ingredients.Remember Sergio Momo quoted Wilde in interview for Cafleurebon ” I have the simplest of tastes, I am always satisfied with the best” that realy describes Xerjoff,simply the best.

  • Chris Fisher says:

    Xerjoff 1861 is easily one of the best fragrances of 2011. It is as described unisex with a beautiful citrus opening that settles in to amber and woods. It wears close to the skin but lasts all day.It is without a doubt among the best new niche fragrances in the market.

  • Catherine (Chaya) Bromberg says:

    For me, quality is definitely the holy grail, while quantity’s more like instant gratification. When in doubt, I say go for some of each, weighted heavily toward quality. 🙂

    I’ve only smelled a few of the Xerjoff’s and have a couple of the “oldies but goodies” on my wish list:
    Casamorati Fiore D’Ulivo and Esquel, though I can tell already I would also love 1861 (besides, anything Mark raves about that includes bergamot and amber [and lily-of-the-valley – one of the few white flowers I can wear well!] gets tried by me ASAP.) Thank you, Cafleurbon, for having such marvelous reviews/reviewers, and fun contests!

  • taffynfontana says:

    I was fortunate enough to get a tiny sample of Xerjoff’s Richwood a deliciously intoxicating scent that envelops and has staying power that amazes. Xerjoff is definitively a powerhouse that is pushing boundaries without forgetting that quality rules! I am crossing my fingers and wishing really,really hard. Thanks again for a wonderful article.

  • Sandra says:

    I have not had the opportunity to try any Xerjoff creations yet. I would like to try Richwood. Ever since I have discovered quality perfumes there is no going back. I would rather have less quantity and more quality. Thank you for introducing me to new perfumes. Your use of imagery allows me to smell perfume in a completely new form!

  • Irina says:

    Never had the chance to try any- I am very intrigued by Irisss
    and always, always quality above anything else

    thanks for the generous draw

  • Alica says:

    I like Irisss. Definitely the quality prevails the quantity, I would rather choose 5 ml of extra high quality scent than let’s say, 100 ml of crap. Thanks for this opportunity!

  • Audrey H. says:

    I havent tried any scents from this line, this one sounds good though XJ Irisss. Quality is better than quantity but sometimes the cost is prohibitive so I get neither. Thanks for the cool draw!

  • civava says:

    I would like to try this one because I’m big fan of lily of the valley. I’ve tried only Lira so I could not have had any comparison yet.

  • Pete says:

    Quality is of course paramount , so far Ive been very impressed with the quality of Xerjoff fragance and would love the opportunity to try 1861

  • Thomas says:

    I haven’t tried many Xerjoff fragrances but out of the ones I have tried I really like Modoc, a simple ditty of iris and vetiver, it’s lovely stuff. I desperately want to try Iriss but I’m scared that I’ll fall in love with it and not be able to afford it!

    It’s quality over quantity for me every time!

  • dukeofpallmall says:

    I like a number of Xerjoffs, but my favorite is definitely Kobe – and it is precisely the quality that makes the different. Even most niche nerolis have unpleasant metallic, scratchy offnotes due to misguided use of synthetics or lower grade naturals. Kobe, on the other hand, has a perfect neroli accord and beyond that provides an innovative approach by giving it a masculine twist through the resinous base. The result is simply stunning. As to quality, its the basis of any good perfume and that’s why there are so few around. While I cannot afford Xerjoff at retail (which is why I’d love to win a bottle) at least you’re not getting a bill of goods here for your hard-earned cash, as in too many other pseudo-niche cases, but an authentic high-end luxury product.

  • Yusri says:

    I have tried many from the Xerjoff lineups. The quality is impeccable, obvious even to the untrained. Good quality natural ingredients tend to give a fragrance a greater depth, a 3-dimensionality often missing from the more pedestrian mass market offerings. It’s hard to pick just one favorite Xerjoff. Right now I’m on a Reglio kick. Pure Italian class.

  • Fabrice says:

    A particularly awesome draw… I’ve never had a chance to try any Xerjoff fragrances but I’m drawn towards Irisss, Richwood and Oroville… As for quality versus quantity… Well, quantity is just a quick fix, instant gratification if you will. Quality is always more satisfying in the long run, and worth waiting for…

  • Michelyn Camen says:

    @fabrice mark behnke’s favorite just might be Richwood, I know Leslie Robinson our writer is kobe Didier’s is homme and mine is Elle with lira and lua tied @sandra thank you I am glad you can SEE the fragrances , sometimes hear them.

  • Mark says:

    Thanks for draw for this fragrance – sounds wonderful. I have only tried Kobe before from Xerjoff and I loved it.

  • Tourbillion says:

    I haven’t tried any yet either. I would like to try Fiore D’Ulivo because it sounds so unusual. I wouldn’t mind trying this one either, OK I really want to try it!

    Oh, and quality IS better than quantity. That is why extrait bottles are usually so small, you don’t need a lot. A quarter ounce of good extrait is better than a gallon of low quality cologne.

  • d4N13L says:

    I have a small discovery set (4x 13ml) of the Casamotati 1888 vintage collecion.
    Bouquet Ideale blow my mind, so delicate and delicious vanilla.

    I much prefer quality, but in larger quantities =)

  • Nat says:

    I would like to try Casamorati 1888 Lira. As far as quality/quantity, I really don’t have a set stance on that. It’s all relative. 🙂

  • Sergey says:

    The quality of Xerjoff fragrances is fantastic. I tested most of their line, and while I`m not after every perfume idea of them (for example, XJ 17-17 XXY does not work to me) nevertheless I admire the quality and high concentration of Art, Conceptual Thinking, Bottle Design, High-quality Materials, and very special perfumer` skills in every perfume.
    My favourites are Kobe, Irisss, XJ Homme, and… 1861! I have a chance to smell it in Milano Esxence-2011 and adored it!
    That perfume smells as Christmas tangerines of my Soviet childhood! But most of all – 1861 smells of pure happiness for me, and I want more happiness in my life. That`s it.

  • naheed says:

    I haven’t got to try any of Xerjoff fragrances yet but my first pick would be “Lua”.

    Talking of Quality vs. Quantity, I don’t set high expectations and standards. Sometimes the least expected one wins your heart and that’s where it sets quality for you and that time I don’t think much about quantity.

  • Holly F. says:

    I think when I first got into fragrance, I wanted to get my hands (nose) on everything, but now I am getting to the point where I’ve been there, done that. I would love to always sample the best of the best, if I could only get my bank account to keep up. Although, it isn’t always synonymous with expensive; quality can be in the eye of the beholder. Xerjoff Irisss is one that has captured my attention and that I would love to try, although I haven’t yet had the chance. Thanks so much for this generous draw!

  • chris s says:

    my favourite xerjoff is Modoc , an incredible vetiver/irisblend .
    Qunatity vs quality ,It depends what your looking for .Do you want 10 el cheapo hamburgers from a generic high street chain store or do you want 1 hamburger made from kobe beef preparred by a michelin starred chef ? .
    Personally i prefer a quantity of quality , which i think sums up the entire xerjoff line perfectly

  • kathleen says:

    The notes in 1861 sound delicious. I haven’t tried any from this line. This is easy, the 2 that have intrigued me the most would be, Richwood and Irisss.

  • chris s says:

    MY favourite Xerjoff fragrance by far is modoc ,closely folowed by Homme .oesel and uden . It is an absolutely stuning line .

  • Kirkland says:

    Wow. Thank you for hosting this Michelyn. I have only tried one Xerjoff so far and that was *IRISS*. IRISS is a simply stunning beauty unlike any other iris on the market and clearly a very high quality perfume. This review of 1861 sounds divine. There are many cheap smelling lily of the valley perfumes out there and I am most interested in smelling what Mark refers to when he talks about that higher quality note in this perfume. Who wouldn’t want to win?

    In terms of quality versus quantity it’s an easy answer. I have certainly spent far more than $700 on my collection and many of those are cheapies that I bought impulsively and regretted later. Even cheapies cost $100 now! I would easily give up 7 bottles of Marc Jacobs Daisy for one bottle of this! No offense Marc!

  • Nina says:

    I would LOVE to try 1861 as i have a soft spot for citruses with a musky drydown.
    As i haven’t tried a single one before i am very excited now!!
    Greetings,
    Nina

  • Olfactoria says:

    My favorite Xerjoff is Oesel, closely followed by Lira. Beautiful, highest quality perfumes and I love that they offer the option of the discovery sets.

  • sonia g says:

    My favorite is Irisss (i don’t know how many s you put there) :p but that one is beautiful and soooo out of my budget. I’d love to win this one! Oh imagine havin a Xerjoff in my collection…

  • sam b says:

    I want to try this one, XJ17/171861m, the one being reviewed. Why? Well, I dont see too many scents where they mix orange and lime and that sounds so appealing. Bitterness, or acidity, but almost like two different spectrums, with the orange being acidic/sweet, and the lime being tart/bitter. As far as quality vs. quantity, depends. Sometimes, with household cleaning solutions, too products work equally, well, the better dollar per ounce so quantity may win. But for scents, easily quality. I may not afford some scents (Clive Christian, lol), but there are some scents like Lutens or Tauer that are not exactly cheap in a dollar per ml setting but when you wear it, you feel on air. To me, that is worth the extra costs.

  • Asali says:

    What an AMAZING draw! I’ve only tried Richwood, which is wonderful, and on the to try list is definitely 1861- that amber musk dry-down mmmm! Anything which will remind me of ‘Italy’, and transport me away from the most miserable summer ever, and to the “land where the lemon trees blossom” would be a dream.
    I would always choose quality over quantity, but even so the Xerjoff really are not (yet) within my budget, hopefully one day 🙂

  • Alnysie says:

    I haven’t smelled a Xerjoff yet, but Shingl makes me curious. And I prefer quality to quantity, but within a certain measure!

  • Daniel & Sha says:

    We have been looking on the niche market for many months, for a perfume that both my beautiful fiancé and I can wear on our wedding day this year.

    As the wedding will be held in a very hot climate, a citrus fragrance is what we would like. I myself love mojitos for the lime and mint. Both of these ingredients feature in XJ 1861. My fiancé loves bergamot, which would make this perfume absolutely perfect! For this reason, we both would like to try this one. Another reason is that we have never tried a Xerjoff fragrance before.

    I have decided to select one fragrance for both of us, because there is no greater joy than falling in love with a fragrance together with the woman you love.

    We always prefer quality over quantity and I would like to state that in this modern society, with values based on sustainability and ethical purchases, quality should always triumph over quantity.

    We both thank you for this draw.

  • Evgeniy says:

    My favourite xerjoff is Modoc – it’s easy- i LOVE vetiver & iris. An immaculate fragrance! Quality raw materials creating something divine, not from this space:)
    Everybody seem to prefer quality.. But the quantity of quality is even better! We all know some good examples of this great combination.. (Chanel exclusives in 200 ml bottles or 1 liter of Derby.. mmm)
    Thank you and Xerjoff for this draw!

  • Nina Z says:

    I would love to try Richwood, because I’ve read some wonderful things about it. And I’m definitely a fan of quality ingredients these days. Many of the modern have a strong synthetic quality that just puts me off. Although quality fragrances do include synthetics along with high-quality naturals, they are so perfectly blended that the synthetics serve to highlight the beautiful natural notes, rather than to fake them. For my food, I prefer to use quality ingredients (fresh local produce, extra virgin olive oil, etc.), so why wouldn’t I want the same thing in my perfume?

  • Tiara says:

    The one I’m still wanting most to try is Richwood!

    In perfume, quality shines through! The depth and richness of a quality scent is unlike a less expensive issue. However, that quality comes with a price (no pun intended). Not just in terms of dollars, but in being able to reach a larger percentage of the population. Perfume companies walk a fine line between creating a wonderful perfume that may sell fewer bottles at a higher cost vs. more units at a lower cost.

    I know what my budget allows and make my decisions from there. More expensive (higher quality?) perfumes equal fewer purchases.

  • d3m0lici0n says:

    I read so many glowing reviews about this new Xerjoff, I’d love to win it! I tried Homme before and is an amazing leather! Also tried Richwood , unfortunately both are way out of my league…

  • Lori says:

    I would love to try 1861. I’m a BIG fan of Richwood, Elle, Lua and XXY. If only they came in 15ml!!!!!

  • Elemi says:

    The ones I would like to try is Dhofar, Kobe and Lira. Smaller bottle sizes would be nice indeed.

  • Shanna says:

    My favorite xerjoff is Lua, just so pretty and wearable. Most recently I have tried 17/17 XXY and the pepper/ylang ylang mix really caught my attention.

  • ISABELLES says:

    I have not tried many of these yet because I’m afraid I’ll love them and buy them all! Richwood was my favorite so far, rich and glorious. I generally prefer quantity to quality because I like to wear different perfumes on different days but would like to add a few high quality fragrances to my collection. It would be great if they offerred smaller bottles that weren’t so ornate so that they would be cheaper for us who would like to have several. Even though the bottles are like jewelry in real life. Photos online don’t do them justice.

  • TaffyJ says:

    I very much would love to try 1861; the notes are beautiful and I’m sure it is an outstanding scent.

    XJ Iriss is a gorgeous scent and probably my favorite, although XJ XXY is up there too for that happy peach note. and then that lovely oriental base.

    Xerjoff obviously uses high-quality materials. I’d love to increase the quantity. 🙂

  • Steven Turnbull says:

    The 2 Xerjoffs I’d really like to try are Mephisto and Nio. I’ve read really great things about both.

    In my fragrance journey, I’m definitely coming out of the “quantity” phase and entering the “quality” stage. Before, I would blindly order several bottles in one go, simply based on reviews. And honestly there’s more hits than misses from those days. But now I’m limiting myself to maybe one or two quality bottles per month (and usually Italian niche), even if that means *gasp* spending retail!

  • Jenson says:

    i was lucky to receive samples from Xerjioff and it’s mere coincidence that i found Xerjoff XJ17/ 17 1861 to be the most beautiful one followed by Homme. matter of fact, every release in XJ 17/17 wowed me…they all carry a unique character, depth and complexity.

  • Michelyn Camen says:

    All the art is Italian.. Caraveggio, Sandrino Botticelli and Raphael Santi. A true Italian ‘Renaissance’ which is the name on the box not shown. thank you again to Xerjoff

  • brigitte says:

    Would love to try XJ Iriss yet after reading this review I believe that 1861 would be on the top of my list!

  • Maureen says:

    I have never tried a Xerjoff fragance, but I would like to try the 1861 base on your review. Thanks for the draw.

  • brigitte says:

    Sorry but I forgot to add that quality definitely takes precedence over quantity…gone are the days when I would douse myself with something I loved because of an over abundance of fragrances. High quality materials make the scent and sometimes, with regard to usage, less is more.

  • Eva S says:

    I’ll chose quality over quatity any time, when it comes to perfume anyway. I’d love to try 1861 and also Lira which I’ve heard good things about.

  • Felicia G says:

    AH I forgot to mention which scent most intrigues me to qualify. Well at the reccomendation of a very elegeant gal I know who would not steer me wrong I will Say LUA. The pepper notes sound nice:()

  • Sam says:

    My fav Xerjoff is Uden, with its interesting “gourmet kitchen” notes. I think quality is more important than quantity. Better have a little of something extraordinary than a lot of something forgettable or even ugly. I would love to try XJ17/17/1861.

  • WillC says:

    I’ve only sampled four so far: Richwood, XXY, Irisss and Homme. The one I enjoyed the most from top to bottom was XXY, though I liked the others too, and I’d like to give Richwood another try before coming to a final verdict.

  • samberg says:

    One day I will own a bottle of Irisss. It is exquisite. Until then, I get by with perfumes made from ingredients of a lesser but good-enough quality.

  • morrison74 says:

    So far I have tested Dhajala, Dhofar, Esquel, Fiero, Kobe, Modoc, Tobacco Oroville and Uden. All of them have been exquisite but my favorite has been Uden. No, I mean Kobe. No, I mean Uden. Kobe. Uden. I really can’t pick from those two. I would love to try Richwood. XJ17/171861 sounds like something I would love also!

  • morrison74 says:

    (I mistakenly hit ENTER before I finished my comment- please add this to my first comment if possible)

    As regards to the question of quality v quantity- As a producer, I would go with quality every time. It gives you a much higher rate of retention and differentiation. As a consumer, sometimes I am forced to compromise, though I do try to go with quality over quantity whenever I can.

  • David says:

    I’ve always wanted to try Kobe — but 1861 sounds delightful. Really, they all do. Like nearly everyone else, it seems, I’m firmly in the quality over quantity camp. And Xerjoff screams quality. If only they weren’t so expensive… so fingers crossed that I’m lucky here! What a great draw.

  • angie Cox says:

    I love Xerjoff because ( and this is only one reason) they can use lavender like no-one else. I love Lua and Mefisto . I would love to try Iriss very much .

  • AubreyM says:

    Wow! These are my favorite bottles out of everything in the perfume world. Several bottles look like squid or cuttlefish to me. Michelyn, you should ask them what the inspiration for the bottles are!

    I admit that I have only tried one so far, and that was Elle. Elle is certainly very quality, with an almost wine or jam like density to it. A lovely perfume. It changed throughout the day (and I could still smell the drydown on my wrist in the mornings). It has a dramatic development.

    I’d believe in quality over quantity. I love high quality fragrances, but I could not live with just a single fragrance in my wardrobe. I love MDCI, XERJOFF and fell in love with Ormonde Jayne Seraphim, too.

    —– The truth is that if you find a really high quality fragrance, you normally get more than one perfume! Because as it develops, it often evolves through a dramatic pyramid of notes, and those notes that you discover are so unique when compared to cheap accords in other fragrances. At least, that’s been my experience with Xerjoff so far. I’m sure that 1861 will be similarly beautiful. I hope that I win!

  • Jenny says:

    I love Ibitira! This one beats Joy for me. One day I will own a bottle of this. I also like Irisss and have contented myself with several sample vials of it. Please, Xerjoff…give us 15ml travel size vessels for your wonderful fragrances!! I would collect many and have quality AND quantity!

  • Isa says:

    I have tried few Xerjoff fragrances but my favorite so far has been Kobe. I think it’s a different citrus. I don’t remember it clearly but I think it was a lovely unisex scent.

    I prefer quality over quantity in general, but I admit that I love big novels and long movies 🙂
    And if I find a perfume I adore, I need to have a lot of it, just in case it’s discontinued.

  • Pablo says:

    I love Kobe and Nio…Kobe, specially: a beautifull modern take on “classic” materials”, very lush, complex and interesting.
    What strikes me about Xerjoff frags is particularly it´s use of high quality raw materials. Maybe some of their perfumes are similar to others, but the instant shock you get while you smell those natural wonders put other´s mediocrity to shame.
    By the way, Quality (combined with artistry and personality) is everything.
    Cheers!

  • Musette says:

    This is a breathtaking review! I have tried several of the Xerjoff line and absolutely LOVE Iriss. It was, perhaps, the earliest iris-centric fragrances to capture my attention.

    I am firmly in the Quality camp. A really well crafted perfume is so nuanced, it can hold one’s interest for a long period of time, in myriad ways.

    xo

  • Lynne1962 says:

    I have a bottle of Iriss and absolutely love it!! I have shared some with my perfume friends so that I could afford it. It is the best Iris I have ever smelled!!! Love it and wear it for special occasions!

  • Paco says:

    My favorite Xerjoff is Richwood, pure Nectar of the Gods. The Quality of a work of art is measure by the creativity of the artist, and quality doesn’t make the perfume but a good artist. Modern perfumery is bound to use synthetic materials as it brings a completely new world of possibilities to its author. The quantity is more about targeting or not a mass market. Quality yes, but at the right price, without paying unnecessarily for an over designed product. We want to buy the juice not the bottle.

  • carol says:

    I haven’t tried any of the Xerjoff scents, but have been most intrigued by Iriss and Richwood. I have always been drawn to high quality fragrances, as they seem to develop beautifully over time. Oh….I would consider myself one lucky woman to win this draw….

  • jonathan says:

    During my short trip to Harrods London, I’ve managed to sample a few Xerjoff scents before I was hurried on by my other half, who was more interested in getting her new handbag.

    I was immediately attracted to Kobe, which together with the blistering heat during the summer was a sure winner for me. The price tag was a bit out of my range at that moment, keeping in mind the price of the handbag coming up soon, but I’ve since managed to procure a 10ml decant of Kobe and it is excellent! Now I’m in Malaysia, and in this heat nothing else compares, which is why I can’t wait to get my hands on this 1861.

    With regards to quantity and quality, I would say depending on the situation and the item, both can be as important as the other. In most cases however, I would very much rather go for quality, as quality can bring about quantity as well in the long run.

  • Senka says:

    Quality perfume is not about a pleasant smell it’s about perception of myself while wearing it. When on the skin the beauty becomes part of me. I rarely have that feeling with the perfumes I also love but that are not made of high quality ingredients. They just make me smell pleasant.
    I am waiting for my first order of Damarose, Bouquet Ideale, Oesel, Dhajala and Verona.

  • Lindaloo says:

    I haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying any Xerjoff fragrances, but after this review of Mark’s I would very happy to experience 1861 and its non-pedestrian bergamot and lily of the valley of unusual quality. As for other Xerjoff scents, I would love to try Fior D’Ulivo, Damarose, Richwood, and especially Irisss.
    I find there is nothing to compare with the endless pleasure given by the creativity, design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail of an item of quality.

  • Paco says:

    My favorite Xerjoff is Richwood, pure Nectar of the Gods. The Quality of a work of art is measure by the creativity of the artist, and quality doesn’t make the perfume but a good artist. Modern perfumery is bound to use synthetic materials as it brings a completely new world of possibilities to its author. The quantity is more about targeting or not a mass market. Quality yes, but at the right price, without paying unnecessarily for an over designed product.

  • Ahmad Ridha says:

    I’ve only tried Shooting Stars Discovery Set – Two (Masculine) and it’s hard to pick a favorite. I enjoy Kobe, Nio, and Oroville for different purposes. I’m also really interested in trying Iriss.

    Regarding quality vs quantity, quality is of course more important if there is sufficient quantity available. I’d pick 50 mL of high quality scent instead of 250 mL of ordinary scent, but I’m not sure if the choice is between 1 mL of extraordinary scent and 50 mL of good scent.

  • Tara says:

    The Xerjoff I would most like to try is Oesel.

    The question of quality vs quantity is a very tricky one. Cartier’s Les Heures are top quality but I won’t pay those prices for 75ml. On the other hand what is the point in buying a large quanity of something of poor quality? I think Chanel Les Exclusifs and Dior Collection Privee have the balance about right (although the smallest Dior is 125ml which is a lot if you have a big collection already). Interesting question and great draw, many thanks!

  • waftbycarol says:

    My favorite is Irisss…though I have not tried them all yet . Ibitira and Tobacco Oroville were very interesting too .
    Quality over quantity every time . The small bottle/ sets that Xerjoff offers are wonderful !

    Thank you to Xerjoff and CafleureBon for the generous draw !

  • Candice says:

    I think Xerjoff have wonderful fragrances. I have samples of most and love them all! Irisss and Verona are my favs. I think there is a line of quality/quantity that most are afraid to cross. I disagree. I would rather have a tiny amount of something of quality than a vat of some cheap stuff. Just my opinion. Please enter my in the generous draw!

  • RM says:

    I also haven’t been lucky enough to sample any Xerjoff perfumes but I’ve read many great things about 1861 and would love to try it.
    And yes, quality ALWAYS wins over quantity – if only I lived by this rule and stopped buying more stuff I can’t afford and don’t really need!

  • Milad says:

    Favourite Xerjoff: Homme. I have to say that this is the best formal scent I have ever tried. The price is fair for the crystal bottle it is sold in but would prefer a second option of refill bottle on the 1771 set of perfumes.

  • Brenster says:

    Quality wins over quantity every time! I have heard many great things about Xerjoff, but have yet to experience them. I think I would love Xerjoff Homme . The note breakdown sounds very much like something would wear. Thank you so much for the chance!

  • Jim says:

    I would love to try XJ Homme: leather, clove, woods… how could one go wrong?

    As for Quality vs. Quantity…

    Quality is something that is hard to define because it’s subjective; it’s based on experience of an individual – yet defined by many… BUT when asked what is “Quality”, most people can’t readily define it in an objective sense, precisely because it IS subjective.

    Taking the focus off perfumery for a moment and substituting it with pizza making: a pizza maker may say he uses the finest ingredients, based on centuries old recipe. But if he continually obtains oregano from the same supplier, his perspective of quality in terms of ingredients is very limited. In order to determine whether he’s obtaining the best ingredients, he must first obtain a broad range of the same things from suppliers, continually testing each formula with independent “eaters” who them dictate, and define, what the best is.

    In another context, if all I ever ate was Domino’s pizza and I thought that was my measuring stick for quality, then it’s only quality as defined by my subjective experience. If one day I feel like trying some other pizzeria, I now have gained a further experience to measure and contrast what my original opinion of what quality is: is it better or worse than Domino’s? The more pizzas I taste from various pizza-makers, the greater the appreciation I have for the ingredients and their qualities.

    But there will always be some element of subjectivity as to how one defines quality. That’s why ultimately, it needs to be defined by a “greater number”. But even then, other things factor into the equation… even subjective things such as affordability.

    For example: if Papa Tino’s has the most positive reviews in town and is perceived as the best pizza, it may not necessarily be the most popular if people are not willing to pay their prices. In this case, people may sacrifice quality for the sake of affordability. Domino’s is still pizza, after all.

    When it comes to quantity itself is not a good indicator of quality, either for the same reasons. Back in the 1990’s, the Ford Escort was the most popular car on the road. It wasn’t, however, the one with the highest quality.

    But at the same time, a limited quantity doesn’t necessarily translate into high quality. Going back to the topic of perfumes, there have been many hard to find scents, deemed discontinued, which have demanded high prices on ebay. The quality of these fragrances aren’t what is driving up the price point – it’s the lack of quantity.

    This is something of a phenomenon which is interesting to watch unfold as people who weren’t willing to pay 1990 prices for a certain perfume which was readily available, are now willing to pay three, four, five times as much later on. There’s certainly a psychological aspect at play there.

    Anyway, just my few thoughts on quality and quantity… 🙂

  • Alex says:

    Wow, 1861 sounds like an amazing and elegant modern citrus. I LOVE citrus notes so I would love to try 1861. I have learned over the years that quality certainly outweighs quantity in many things. Fashion, food, friends and fragrance! I have heard great things from the Xerjoff house however, I have never even seen a Xerjoff bottle let alone get my nose on one simply because nowhere around me carries it. This would be a humbling treat to say the least.

  • Monte says:

    Wow, picking a favorite out of my samples is difficult. I’m absolutely loving Mefisto and Nio, but although I haven’t given it a full wearing Uden completely changed my perception of what a fresh citrus scent can be.

    Quality over quantity can clearly be seen in Uden. The quality of the grapefruit shines through as creamy rather than strident, and the longevity shows the quality of the ingredients.

  • Paul says:

    I have not tried yet any of the Xerjoff offerings but I would love to try Homme for the reviews say that it is an amazing perfume.
    I am in the boat of those who prefer quality over quantity. Why have many things that are very bad when you can have a few of those things that really stand out ? Also having things of quality shows to other people that you are a person of quality.

  • Flaconneur says:

    I must say that 1861 is a beautiful explosion of Bergamont, Mandarin and Lime cradled by sweet Petitgrain and is a delight to the nose. The citrus notes come again and again for many hours until it settles into a beautiful floral essence of Rose and Lily of the Valley is a misty mint package. This is my favorite Xerjoff to date. Thanks Xerjoff

  • Sandy says:

    I won’t pretend I have any idea of how Xerjoff scents actually smell. During my 30+ years trip in the good-smelling meadow of scents I’ve leraned that no scent can be predicted solely from the components. If the scent itself is a piece of art, it’s much more than it’s parts. I’m eager to see if 1861 is actually such an artwork.

    For several years here, once behind the iron curtain it was really difficoult to get quality scents. And if I happened to find -and afford- one, I was so happy I didn’t dare to think about a new one for a long time. This has taught me to enjoy what I have, to discover allt the qualities of a given scent, and not always wanting to have new and new scents. Even now, when I could afford to have many-many scents, I never have more than 8-10 scents. I patient to wait to find those which really make me happy, and with which help to find our world and my life more beautiful.

    If Xerjoff scents can deliver this promise, it’s a good thing. Wish you enthusiastic followers.

  • Cristina says:

    I heard great things about Lira and Lua and would love to try them. As for quality vs quantity, I can’t really decide. Some of the high prices of up market stuff are not justified, but if you really like the juice, you can always justify to yourself. What’s the price of magic in a bottle, after all?

  • Flaconneur says:

    For whatever reason, my original post excluded my last line. Sorry but I reposted:

    I must say that 1861 is a beautiful explosion of Bergamont, Mandarin and Lime cradled by sweet Petitgrain and is a delight to the nose. The citrus notes come again and again for many hours until it settles into a beautiful floral essence of Rose and Lily of the Valley is a misty mint package. This is my favorite Xerjoff to date. Thanks Xerjoff

    In this day and age of constant sacrifice, I can’t think of one thing that deserves to maintain a consistent level of quality more than perfumes. Nothing this artistic should be produced to satisfy quantity over quality of materials.

  • Alvin aka acjigga says:

    I own bottles of Regio, Modoc, Kobe and Nio. My favorite has to be Nio. I call it my bottled gold! I have never experienced a richer green fragrance than this. I enjoy all of my Xerjoffs but Nio is a MASTERPIECE.

  • CMH says:

    I’m definately a fan of quality over quantity. It seems these days, everyone wants more: more food on your plate, more clothes in your closet, more more more. Yet, I’m all for that perfect bite; just enough food; room in my closet and that feeling room to breathe. In perfume, it’s a similar experience. Now that I’m finding out and sampling the more exclusive lines, I’m totally amazed at how well crafted and lovely (much lovlier) these tend to be over the dept. store drivle.

    Yes, I wish they were more affordable, but they are so beautiful that a part of me doesn’t care about the price (just make smaller quanities available at affordable prices!) I’ve tried – and loved – Irissss! . It’s a beautiful, somber, iris. I’m really tempted to try everything from the line!

  • SOLOSEAN says:

    I like Xerjoff Homme the best and I usually prefer quality in a fragrance over quantity.

  • Jules says:

    How anyone can possibly prefer quantity over quality when it comes to, well just about anything really, is quite beyond me. For me quality wins hands down, always ! … As for my favorite Xerjoff so far, I’d have to go with “Richwood”, which is just sumptuously gorgeous ! (And Irisss a close second.) ~ And one that I’ve not yet tried, but am dieing to, is “Xerjoff Homme”.

  • Grant says:

    For me, I’ve been dying to try Kobe for a while. It’s towards the top of my to sample list. Kobe is the city where I live, so that gives it even more appeal personally.

    As far as quality vs. quantity, I’ll probably just be re-echoing what everyone else has said, but I’ll go for quality most of the time (unless it’s with food and I’m low on cash). With fragrance though, most assuredly quality. I’d rather enjoy every minute of something of high quality with an equally high price tag to match, than to just feel so-so about a fragrance that I know I can just reapply and feel so-so about all over again. It doesn’t make sense to extend the life of something mediocre, and be able to use it more just because you have more at a better price. I’ll take 50ml of pure quality over 500 ml of average.

  • Kris says:

    Irisss is my favorite so far, beautiful. Definite quality versus quantity for me although it probably wouldnt appear so by my wardrobe. I am slowly working into more quality as I go!

  • Seth says:

    While there are actual objective differences that one may label as either higher or lower quality, to me, the ‘quality’ of a scent is determined solely by how well it resonates with me. Generally speaking higher quality ingredients translate to a better result, but there are exceptions – just as a lo-fi or live recording can add a certain ambience or charm to a piece of music.

    My top 5 list as of this moment contains one of the most expensive houses out there along with a scent that you can pick up at your local Sephora. To me, they are all quality because they resonate with either a certain facet of my personality or they capture a mood or image that I want to have at hand to experience.

    My favorite Xerjoff is Kobe for its wonderful neroli note and unique and inspired composition. The one I want to try most is Nio – the only scent from the original lineup that I’ve not yet smelled – although Damarose, Richwood, and 1861 all sound really really good. In fact, all that talk of a wonderful bergamot note has me jonesing for some of my favorite tea – you guessed it – Early Grey.

    Off to make a cup!

  • Nick says:

    I’ve only had the pleasure of sampling Xerjoff’s ‘Kobe’. It was exquisite. It was citrusy, yet refined; perfect for warm weather, perhaps any weather. After reading this article I am very excited about sampling the XJ line, particularly 1861.

    Cheers.

  • IsabelleMi says:

    Quality – and I love Lira, Bouquet Ideale, Oesel, Richwood… At the moment I wear Lira and I enjoy the quality.

  • Aaron P Adderley says:

    Xerjoff’s Nio and Dhofar are great! Quality vs Quantity for me, is about striking the right balance. Obviously, if I had it my way I would want more quality and more quantity, for the same price. However, that not’s always possible. After samplingX

  • Michelle Hunt says:

    I would love to try this line sometime, Shingl is intriguing with its list of spice and rum notes. Of course, quality over quantity is the only way with perfume. I would rather have something exquisite than pedestrian.

  • Warum says:

    I am intrigued by the 1861, since lily of the valley is one of my absolute favorites, and I seem to search for a perfect one.

    I also was dreaming about sniffing some Irisss. I heard many wonderful things about it.

    Quality over quantity is my motto with perfume. I would have no problem getting a smaller quantity of something really lovely. I know I can tell quality — that is, my senses can — but I usually cannot predict what quality is. I’ve tried some exclusive lines and quality eluded me. Sometimes it is the combination of my senses and my skin. I know my skin has made some lovely perfumes into trivial ones (I can only wear Nuit de Noel on a scarf, my skin makes it loose some of its restrained charm), so there’s always a need to try on and let the quality shine.

  • kas says:

    In the quality vs. quantity debate I tend to prefer quality. With scents, for example, I would rather have a few bottles that I love than dozens of bottles I like. (Although I must admit I do have dozens, having wanted to smell everything when I was first exploring fragrances.) With shoes I’d rather have a couple of well constructed pairs than a dozen uncomfortable pairs.

    As with most dichotomies however I think the division is less clear cut than it first appears. I think balance is important. I’d still like to have a couple of pairs of shoes for different situations, be they dress or weather, even if I have to settle for slightly lower quality.

    With scent I am somewhat equating quality with preference here and exposing my bias. If one prefers quantity that breaks down. But with the shoe analogy quality of construction can be distinguished from preference.

    The Xerjoff scent I most want to try is Irisss. I have yet to try any of their scents. Iris is my favourite note, and I found Iris Silver Mist to be magical and have heard comparisons between it and Irisss.

  • Kathleen H. says:

    Wow… I’ve been impressed with Xerjoffs because of the quality of the ingredients. 1861 sounds lovely, but the one Xerjoff I would love dearly to get to know better is… Esquel. Or second, Richwood. Or third… Irisss. Thanks for the draw!

  • Chris says:

    I have yet to sample anything from this line, but after doing some reading, I do believe that will change.
    The bottles that get my attention are: kobe, irisss, oesel and 1861. I think that 1861 is the frag I want to sample most, and seems like it could be one of the fragrances you don’t let go of.
    When it comes to quality/quantity, I’ve bought/smelt many fragrances with the idea of having a journey to narrow down to select bottles. I like the idea of every time I put on a scent, it’s something I love and the quality of the fragrance is something I can share with people around me. A great fragrance is a thing of art.