Starlight bottle, photo by Michael Devine©

“And a softness came from the starlight and filled me full to the bone.” – William Butler Yeats

It’s been well over a decade since I experienced my first Xerjoff. One inhale of Richwood had me saving my pennies (about 60,000 pennies) to purchase that glorious precious-stone-appointed bottle. It remains one of the crowned jewels of my collection and smells better with each passing year. Even if Richwood meant “Poor” Mike, I was enthralled by this house. From the Oud Stars collection—which includes one of my all-time favorite fragrances, Alexandria II—to the Shooting Stars and the elusive 17/17 Stone Label lines and others, I’m all in. The recent releases of Tony Iommi Monkey Special and Groove Xscape have reassured me that this Italian luxury brand, under the creative direction of Sergio Momo, is never out of bright ideas. Xerjoff Starlight, a 2019 creation that became an instant hit in the fragrance community and beyond, somehow eluded me … until now. Thanks to the team at Twisted Lily, I was graciously afforded the opportunity to experience this cozy cult favorite. Does it shine or is it a falling star?

 

Xerjoff Starlight promo, courtesy of the brand©

According to Xerjoff, Starlight “is the ignition that sparks a seductive and sensual olfactory experience that is difficult to forget. With top notes of citrus bergamot and fresh cardamom, this perfume from the Spotlight Collection travels to a comforting heart of almond, cinnamon and clove for an irresistibly alluring warmth. The enticing base of cedar wood and amber features balsamic accords that set the senses alight. Warming spices and sensual accords linger on the skin, hugging the wearer and charming those around them.”

Cardamom, via Unsplash

Starlight opens with a big bang of bergamot, which I perceive to be the same accord highlighted in the brilliant Nio from Xerjoff’s Shooting Stars collection. I’ll go on record as saying that, in my opinion, no one uses bergamot like Xerjoff. It’s dimensional, fulgent and sunny, with a juiciness surpassing photo-realism. In Starlight, the accord is ephemeral, but effectively serves as a sparkling firework of an opening. The bracing facets of cardamom are on display here and slowly segue toward the sweet and cozy elements, creating a near-boozy infusion. Imagine a delicate, opalescent veil that is both sparkling and tranquil. Transitioning from the opening to the heart, the composition evolves from glittering crystallinity to soft and cuddly—and unabashedly gourmand.

Image via Unsplash

The cinnamon and almond notes combine to create a milky, almost-abstract sweetness that’s neither full-on cinnamon nor almond. This olfactive journey is akin to being wrapped in a cashmere blanket under the stars by a crackling fireplace, making it perfect for chilly evenings, autumnal and wintery holidays or just moments when you need a comforting embrace. In the base, I don’t perceive the noted cedarwood, per se, but rather a blanket of soft woods. Beyond the notes enumerated by Xerjoff (and uncertain which ingredients comprise their amber accord), I perceive additional components which might include vanilla or benzoin, balsamic notes and soft musks. Starlight would make a remarkable signature scent, particularly in the interest of those who surround the wearer. After several wears, I began to understand how appropriate the name Xerjoff Starlight truly is; this perfume is texturally multi-faceted and casts a warm aura. While the experience is all soft edges, there’s a molecular motion, a luminosity which can be attributed to superb ingredients, expertly blended. When evaluating a perfume, I tend to focus on the juice, but in this case, I can’t help but mention Xerjoff’s packaging. With each year since the brand’s debut in 2007, the presentation has evolved from impressive to jaw-dropping. A box within a box within a box, opening a bottle from Xerjoff is as exciting as the fragrance itself. To add, Starlight’s sillage and longevity is tremendous at 10-12+ hours (I starlit my entire gym the morning after spraying).

Top Notes: cardamom, bergamot; Heart Notes: cinnamon, almond, clove; Base Notes: amber, cedar

Disclosure: Based on a bottle of Xerjoff Starlight sent to the author for review from Twisted Lily. Check out all of Xerjoff’s offerings at Twisted Lily here and you can order samples too!

—Michael Devine, Senior Contributor

Photo: Xerjoff Starlight Presentation, courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the enormous generosity of Twisted Lily, we have a 50 ml bottle of Xerjoff Starlight to give away to one registered reader in the contiguous U.S. only. To be eligible, please leave a comment indicating what intrigues you about Xerjoff Starlight and note that you live in the contiguous U.S. Draw closes 10/26//2023 and winner will be announced within ten days

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