Xeryus

When I first smelled this scent, a few years back, it was MASSIVE, sharp and rather annoying (or quite possibly OVER-applied!). THAT must have been a reformulation (bottle shown above); because Lana Lool scored a bottle of Vintage Xeryus (black/blue flacon with a sheen to it) and it is anything but... *Thanks for your kindness and the generous gift of a nice FULL spray sample, Lana!* xox With all those notes, (the most I have ever seen listed for a manscent) who can say what is detectable and what isn't? Not me, that's for sure...but on spraying it initially on the back of my hand, something sharp and almost acrid rose up my nostrils and actually burned! (Note to self: Allow this to DRY, before sniffing it more closely!) Predominantly it is citrus, bitter greens and some soft spices in the top. This is a very attention grabbing opening, to say the least, especially the artemisia. I have the Xeryus Mythical re-release of 2007 and enjoy it a great deal, but THIS is stunning! For a 1986 scent, you would imagine it would be "louder" and also project much "wider". The heart notes I detect, for the most part, are cypress (warm and piney green with juniper like nuances) alongside guaiac wood (smooth woody elegance) and cypriol (an oil derived from cypress trees and used in Chinese medicine). These, together, create a superly green woody aromatic combination. I sense herbs and the presence of (dry) florals here as well, (ancient greeks often threw flowers at their returning heroes) very violety, warmly rich and powdery in the opening and becoming more manly and mature (carnation/geranium) in the heart. Xeryus is a stunning olfactive tapestry, woven from the essences of strong masculine notes, that sings the praises of a hero in the softest and most beautiful way. This is how a Greek hero before the walls of Troy would have smelled: strong, beautiful, fierce (with a softer side) and absolutely and unequivocally masculine. The drydown has a simply gorgeous amber note wrapped in the finest leather and REAL oakmoss, with just a hint of man-musk. Woodiness and some wafts of pine do come through, also vague hints of smokiness (Troy burning?). This may be the best male Givenchy scent I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Xeryus is where the warrior and the sensitive man merge; he is elegant and soft-spoken, but stands his ground and does not back down. A true vintage treasure... Sillage: Great then good Longevity: very good Overall: 4.75/5 My knowledge of Greek (and Roman) myth is quite extensive. I could not quite remember Xeryus from the classics; other than the fact that he fought (and sadly died) before the walls of Troy, as he was one of Helen's many suitors who swore to defend her and the honor of her husband, no matter whom she chose to wed. I "bing-ed" Xeryus and all that came up was Givenchy and this perfume (and its flankers)...the same with the online encyclopedia, and the few texts I kept had little to nothing on him. This was called "Keryus" at first, but YSL complained it was too close to Kouros; so it was changed to the name we all know now. ("X" in ancient Greek is pronounced like a hard "k" sound) Xeryus may have died (in myth or in fact) before Troy, but I find it quite wonderful that his essence is preserved for all time in a scent that would have made him proud! ALL HAIL XERYUS!!

Note: this is for the vintage in the art deco dark blue bottles The longer ive had this, the more i appreciate it. I can kind of keep this simple for this one without my typical million word review lol. I basically think of Xeryus as the mature/sophisticated version of drakkar noir, and i didnt realize that until i heard Varanis Rindari compare it to drakkar recently, and i cant unsmell it now lol. I was only a few years old in the 80's, so this is kind of an abstract opinion i suppose...but i see drakkar noir (which i love, dont get me wrong) as the young mans bottle, but Xeryus as the mature (not old persay) mans bottle for more formal occasions. Or a young man could own both assuming they love drakkar, but wear the xeryus for occasions. I think xeryus would also be more appropriate for a date night. It does alot better than alot of vintage stuff in a modern setting, a young dude nowadays could probably wear this and if anything get compliments despite its age. Ive been wearing it lately and liking it more and more, very well made fragrance. No idea what the current formulations are like, but i dont think Givenchy has a rep for destroying their older formulas in the current day. Its not brash like drakkar, its smooth and frankly elegant. I highly reccomend even for younger guys, this would be an awesome first dive into vintage fragrances in my opinion. P.s. be forewarned, im a huge vintage guy and i think alot of the "smells like" candidates are kind of bizzare. This has more similarity to something like maxims pour homme than most of the listed fragrances. Antaeus, lagerfeld photo, fahrenheit ect.....no freaking way lol.

Yesterday, I purchased a 25 ml. spray bottle of Xeryus. It is a vintage version made in the early nineties. Once you spray Xeryus on the skin, you can immediately notice the green notes (which are very vegetable and honest), with the presence of lavender and nutmeg--it also seems to have a fruity touch of black plum, not very ripe. The citrus notes are not that perceptible. About half an hour later, carnation, rose, and geranium begin to appear, giving an earthy floral sensation, an attribute that is enhanced by oakmoss, fern, and vetiver. 2-3 hours later, leather and amber give the composition a creamy and balsamic touch, together with slightly spicy, woody accords of cedar and sandalwood, which makes the aroma notably different from the conventional earthy fougeres of the 1980s. Xeryus has an exquisite semi-Gothic floral herbal aroma that evokes cold nights in wooded landscapes, as Encre Noire does. It has good longevity (from 6 to 7 hours) and offers moderate projection. In contrast to most 80s perfumes, it smells very clean and fresh, giving the impression of being ahead of its time; actually, it smells more 1990s to me, and it is easy to use even nowadays. Its potential unfolds better in the nighttime (specifically in less dynamic environments than those of dancing clubs, where other, more "cheerful" scents perform much better). Score: Fragrance: 10/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 8/10 Sillage: 9/10 Versatility: 8/10 Total: 8.6/10

When I first tried this fragrance, my nose originally just registered it as just soapy and green, and I didn't think that highly of it. But on repeated tries, I discovered it's much, much better than that--there are all kinds of beautiful floral and fruit notes in this (in addition to the woody notes) that make it pretty much a happy and exceptionally complex riot of scents, with leather and oakmoss (at least in the original version) buried well below the top, but still very evident. I like this more and more every time I wear it, so that it's now become one of my very favorites. These beautifully complex men's fragrances of the late 80s and early 90s (like this, and Guerlain's Heritage, or VCA's Tsar) are sometimes difficult for me to appreciate when I first wear them; but the more I try them, the more gorgeous they are to me. That period may be my favorite of all for the creation of men's fragrances. This is a true classic among men's fougères, and I am in awe of whoever first formulated this for Givenchy (Alberto Morillas, I think). It's really staggering to think of being able to balance so many notes and have the entirety come out to be so magnificent.

I acquired this as a blind-buy, and I was nervous after reading some of the reviews here. Well, after the first spray of this all that nervousness has disappeared. Xeryus is magical, to me. From the first spritz I was hit in the nose by the citrus and green notes. I actually haven't waited long enough to review this because I was so excited. Instantly memories started flooding my mind. This makes me thing of older, quiet gentlemen. I would say from early 30's and onwards. Distinction but always with that freshness wafting everywhere. The projection is really good with minimal sprays (I only did one, the hollow of the neck) and the sillage is moderate. People who have described this as a powerhouse are correct. But it is not a loud and showy powerhouse. More like man in the room who says not a word but people are drawn to him through charisma. Xeryus (awesome name, by the way) makes me feel so happy. It's not a scent for track pants and the gym, more like a scent for weekend relaxation or a walk through the park. This is a definite win for my collection.

At the time I first got my nose on Xeryus, I didn't know anything about "80s powerhouses," which reads to my millennial eyes as "outdated." Thankfully, I didn't have that connotation to distract me from what's going on here: Xeryus remains a statement of confidence and adventurism today as it did during the Cold War. No point trying to parcel out that novel of notes^. Suffice it to say, Xeryus is a bomb of every invigorating thing you love to smell when you get lost in the great outdoors. Bright florals, herbaceous evergreens and aromatics, deep woods. And damn, that streak of amber seals the deal in the dry-down. Nothing synthetic, nothing screechy; Xeryus is unapologetically assertive, soapy, outdoorsy, and adventurous. I've worn it for rainy promenades in Paris and brisk winter evenings in Beirut. Hell, Xeryus would be at home camping in Colorado just as much as much as it would be at the office. If you're looking for that aromatic companion for that zealous spirit of yours to discover all that the world offers, you could do worse than Xeryus.

I painstakingly selected this cologne for my dad as a Christmas gift in the early 90s when I was around 13. I say "painstakingly" from the perspective of a young teen, which is to say I spent 40 minutes at The Bay instead of 10 minutes at the drugstore. He was a business executive who traveled between the US and Canada, bilingual french and english, an avid golfer who belonged to "the club", a mild-mannered and handsome man. He was also thin, strong, very clean and tidy with grooming. My whole life I've barely seen any stubble on his face except for at our summer cottage, or hair over the tops of his ears. He was also 17 years older than my mom. If I were to have smelled any of the "sports" fragrances on him I would have laughed. Even 'Tommy', when it came out, wasn't *enough* of a scent for my father. He wore this for many years. The blue bottle was gorgeous. I expect any man who wears this to be an exceptional gentleman.

Givenchy's orginal Xeryus is a dark black bottle with vertical ridges. This juice is UNBELIEVABLE powerful..at first spray I smell the herbal/foral aromatic blast of oakmoss, juniper berry and lavender mixed in with fir and cypress giving it a real attractive spicy blend. Balancing the symphony, a warm vib comes from carnation and amber. Finally leather and sandalwood brings this juice together beautifully making it absolutely desirable. Longevity and Silage is excellent.....8hrs ++ Finally, I would love to see this juice make a come back without altering the retro timeless classic. Love every ounce of this juice, I have both a 50ml and 100ml bottle of the older version. ♥♥♥♥♥ 9/10 This juice is best during the cooler weather, the warmth of your body makes this fragrances sing. Enjoying a luxurious aroma with a bite.

Epic Journey Into the Bottled Yonder, 093 ------------------------------------------------------- Purchased July 2019 - NOS In the same month I already bought a decant of what turned out to be the redesign of Xeryus. Just realised this an anagram/play on words of Serious... So the new one was alright, I wanted the proper old bottle though and I found that a bit later and pulled the trigger. Excellent shit, still use it. Heavy pine woods with champagne. Classy manly stuff and it's the only Givenchy I kept. You could skip this particularly if you can't find the old square bottle with the black top and go for Homme de Cafe. That one is 100% vouched for around here, finally. Xeryus and Homme de Cafe are basically a more recent, more gentlemanly version of those original pines e.g. Pino Silvestre.

**This is a review for the newer formulation - haven't smelt the vintage** This is gentle/subtle but very persistent. I wouldn't describe it as strong or loud but it has good projection. It feels rather refined and gently masculine. Starts off quite floral, fresh and a little bit green. Develops slight soapiness and deepens, getting more green, leather notes come in and some subtle animalic notes. Overall to me it is floral, masculine, fresh, green and slightly soapy. Could wear it anywhere, anytime. Despite never seeming loud it lasts and projects impressively. With just 2 sprays it is good on skin for 12+ hours, it projects reasonably for 9 or 10 hours. By 14 hours it is a weak skin scent and it is gone around 15 hours. This could well become a favourite and I would definitely buy it again.

Givenchy Xeryus is a classic, old-school fragrance that leans heavily on its rich oakmoss base, evoking the bold, sophisticated scents of yesteryear. Its hyper-masculine profile—think rugged, post-gym swagger—delivers a punchy, confident vibe. With notes that blend aromatic herbs, citrus, and woody depth, it’s pleasantly versatile, suitable for day or night. Longevity and projection are solid, offering decent staying power without overpowering. However, its vintage character might feel dated to noses accustomed to modern, sweeter fragrances. As a discontinued gem, Xeryus is worth hunting down for those who appreciate timeless masculinity in a bottle.

Ahh, the 80s coniferous aromatics, all needles and twigs, embodying the sizzle of forest under the collar of a freshly shaven tycoon who in his spare time reads John Muir and dreams of mountaineering. Xeryus, with its handsome art deco monolith of a bottle, smooth and discreet much like the juice inside. Not quite as audacious as its brethren, its clean and compact, no monkey business, no feral nether-quarter funk, but a whole lot of evergreen needles, juniper, geranium, and moss. While Xeryus certainly did not define a genre like its senior, Givenchy Gentleman, it rather *refined* a genre, more quiet power than a flaunt, elegant yet durable.

I found a partial 100ml vintage bottle (blue iridescent glass) on Ebay. I never wore this one myself before, but I remember it from the late 80's because a close friend had it. Very elegant and undeniably masculine. It is one of the powerhouse fragrances in the same vein as Z-14 and Polo, but bearing a greater complexity, I think. It brings me right back to the days of dancing to early hits of the Pet Shop Boys and Swing Out Sister, and I suppose I have to admit to a little Paula Abdul and Wham!. And Blackbox. This was a fragrance of the young haberdashers at the time. We weren't old. We all wore trench-coats and had military cuts. :-)

I was lucky enough to purchase this in the iconic black angular bottle when I first started my fragrance journey. This and the first reformulation were beautiful both floral and soapy but above all classy. This bares no resemblance to Ungaro 111 which I owned unless of course, we are talking about a current reformulation (that I don't own). I was lucky enough to experience fragrances of the 80's and 90's that were, in essence, works of Art and perfumers painted created masterpieces with scents. Sadly today, we just encounter mass marketed rubbish owned and destroyed by big cosmetic companies.

I've been a fan of Xeryus ever since I first smelled it on a trip to Europe in 1986. To my nose Xeryus is a spicy coniferous chypre closely related to Weil's Kipling, Francesco Smalto, Borsalino and Drakkar Noir. The opening is fresh and slightly sweet, but not overly so, and the drydown fades into a wonderfully woody forest. It reminds me of walking in a redwood grove where the air is fresh and alive with negative ions, scented with wood, bark, damp earth and green needles. It's been a staple in my collection since 1986, and one I still enjoy wearing regularly.

Givenchy Xeryus incredibly classic, sophisticated, masculine aroma. Great ingredients to ensure freshness and elegance érzését.Egy great invention, which is not comparable with other fragrances! Opinion, this is a perfect artwork! Signature scent can be a middle-aged gentleman who has a unique look and charisma are sure to reach that people pay attention to it and take the memorable encounter!

A scent of my youth. Whilst the pack were all off chasing Kouros and the likes, I hopped on the Xeryus train and lived a life like Han Solo. It reminds me of Simple Minds CDs, experimenting with food in the bedroom and unprotected sex. Some days it would be just me, a girl, naked in a hayfield, except for the heated scent of the Xeryus. I really should get another bottle, it's been too long..

I have about 250ml of the vintage. Two 100ml and two 25ml. Absolutely love it, it's a classic 80s scent. It doesn't scream, it just announces itself very very confidently and it's there to stay. Deep, rich and masculine without being overpowering. If you can get the vintage in the dark bottle then go for it. Looks like prices are creeping up with the ones appearing from time to time on ebay.

To my nose, this is what just squeezed 50/50 lemon and pineapple juice mix smells like. Very sour, but mercilessly aromatic! A very invigorating, old-school, daytime chypre. A really powerful time machine. Makes me think of the early 70's when everything looked big, strong and black-and-white. For mature audience only.

ONE OF THE GREATS OF ALL TIME. AGAIN, WHY DO BRANDS (THAT SHOULD BE LIVING FOR THE COSTUMER) WRECK GORGEOUS GEMS AND BEAUTYS LIKE THIS? ONE OF THE BEST AROMATICS SCENTS EVER MADE, WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. THE VINTAGE BOTTLE SUCH A CLASSIC FOR THE 80 ́S, LIKE A DARK AND EVIL TOWER. GIVENCHY SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!

I wore the original release from the mid 80s through the 90s. Splendid green, spicy fragrance with a lot of originality. Elegance personified. Givenchy outdid themselves with the vintage release. Highly recommend the vintage fragrance (dark bottle) which you can still find on ebay for a reasonable price.

I bought a vintage bottle Xeryus. What a wonderful complex masterpiece this is. I have not really smelled anything like it up till now. An old school cologne at its best. There are probably some that would say it ́s a little dated. That ́s fine with me as long as I don ́t hear it. 9/10

I have three bottles of the art deco style. Two sprays and a splash. It’s so damn good. I get more compliments from this than anything else I have worn. Not dated at all in my opinion. I’m 36 and love it. It’s masculine, and will set you apart from the sweet redundant crap of today.

a complex fragrance, many notes that come together to make a very well-blended fragrance. if I could describe it, it would be floral, aromatic with a woody and oakmossy base with a bit of honey to top it off. all in all it is amazing.

Got 4 of the vintage bottles in Colombo, Sri Lanka (i think the last four in the world, eheheh). A true classic, elegant smell. The reformulation is sh.t. Why? Why? Why? Why brands do reformulations and destroy a great perfume?

Mysterious, somber and underrated... Beautiful, black bevelled bottle... Miss you like crazy... 10/10 [too scared to buy the current reformulation in the generic Givenchy bottle, just in case my fond memories get dashed...]

Art Deco Bottle Fougere masterpiece that I would put up against any modern designer interpretation. As long as I can get this bottle there is a little reason to have another designer fougere. Highest recommendation.

ancient classic aroma.old-fashioned unsweetened citrus shipra in eighties style. Rich. intense and long-lasting. beautiful base with accents of cypress and oak moss.for me somewhat similar to the Halston z-14

bought this for my best guy friend for christmas 1989. good stuff. very masculine - woody, leather, spicy. i haven't smelled it in at least 20 years. i don't know how the current formula compares.

Vintage bottles of Xeryus are indicative of a culture who embraced Masculine fragrances which are lost among our currently soft bubblegum and vanilla custard, androgynous scents

This was a great cologne; perhaps the greatest of its time. And then came along the suits who phucked it up by reformulating the scent. If. It. Ain’t. Broke. Don’t. Fix. It!

Great fragrance.One of the very best.

YOU KNOW! Hubert James Marcel Taffin Givenchy, a giant of 1.98 m, became famous for having helped create the fashion myth of the "little black dress", which in his hands always remained simple and very tasteful. During his career, he dressed divas such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Duchess of Windsor, Jane Fonda, and Audrey Hepburn for whom he nurtured a strong friendliness for many years. Audrey was a true muse for Givenchy and they became inseparable accomplices after the shooting of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961. The bond of deep friendship between the two, lasted more than 40 years. It was to her that he dedicated his first perfume, "L'Interdit", launched in 1957. Hubert has always been the paradigm of a true aristocrat. He was born in 1927 and his parents were the Marquises Lucien and Béatrice Taffin de Givenchy. He never got to meet his father who died when he was two years old. Perhaps this contributed to him growing up with a profound admiration for his mother, a sophisticated woman from whom he inherited elegance and a physique worthy of a movie star. His grandfather, on the mother's side, owned a textile factory and had a huge display of fabrics that fascinated him. Naturally, he began to develop a strong interest in fashion design from the age of ten. A few years before Paco Rabanne, he began working in the atelier of Cristóbal Balenciaga who was his mentor. Influenced by the sculptural creations of the Spanish designer, he decided on his future far from the law studies that his family used to push him towards. In 1945, at the age of 17, he settled in Paris and enrolled at the School of Fine Arts, already determined to dedicate himself to haute couture in the French capital. In 1952 he presented his first collection and two years later he launched his first ready-to-wear garments line. In the field of perfumery, after the initial success achieved in 1957 with "L'Interdit", he launched "Monsieur de Givenchy" in 1959, "Givenchy III" in 1970, the remarkable "Givenchy Gentleman" in 1974 and "Ysatis" in 1984. Still owner and master of all creative and managerial decisions of his brand, he launched "Xeryus" in 1986. The name derives from the Greek "Ξεριυς" and means "you know". In 1988, the "Maison" with his surname was purchased by the luxury brand conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) for $45 million. On that day, Givenchy said farewell to 36 years of independence but opened the door to the brand's continued expansion. Hubert remained Givenchy's creative director until he retired in 1995. "Xeryus" is a seemingly simple, elegant, discreet, fresh, spicy and woody perfume, but with an enviable smoothness. I consider it a complex perfume, very well elaborated and where each note plays a primary role in the harmony of the whole. The fragrance can both be considered an aromatic and woody Fougère, as well as a moderately woody, and slightly spicy floral Fougère. Due to its complexity, it is a real challenge to identify the notes individually. The aperture is very citrusy, herbaceous, flowery, and lavender aromatized. In the heart, and while the notes of citrus fade, the fragrance becomes a little spicier, and woodier, besides showing hints of green with cypress and juniper notes. The base evolves in a woody and mossy way. It dries down with nuances of balsamic and leathery accords. The original perfume was denser than the newer version, and this characterised the fragrance in a very special way. The longevity has changed little and, with three sprays of the current version, one is guaranteed to perceive the perfume for over eight hours. However, the sillage, which previously extended for a generous six feet and ensured almost three hours of projection, has given up that glow and shrunk to a 3~4-foot radius and less than two hours of projection. The fragrance remains very up-to-date, even if the strong vintage character has been transformed into a clean and pleasant barbershop. The perfume that now seems clean and bright, was once darker and more mysterious. Time for rating this smooth woody Fougère: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ - Opening: 9.0 (Citrusy, clean, fresh and smooth aromatic Fougère). - Dry Down: 9.0 (Mossy, balmy, leathery and woody) - Longevity: 8.0 (3 sprays last 8 hours) - Sillage: 6.5 (up to 3~4 feet and two hours projection with 3 sprays) - Uniqueness: 9.0 (Unique, but the scent reminds you of some other like the younger "Égoïste" by Chanel from 1990, or the same age "New West for Him" by Aramis) - Wearability: 9.0 (For any hot weather; it's a day perfume) - Versatility: 9.0 (An "any place" perfume) - Praise: 8.0 (A consensual woody Fougère that will get you well above average compliments) - Quality: 8.5 (It fails in comparison with the vintage version) - Presentation: 9.0 (very elegant) - Price: 8.0 (Quite affordable for the current version; The 100ml flask currently sells for €35 in various web retailers) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Overall rating: 8.45 / 10.00 - between 7 and 8 = above average; - between 8 and 9 = recommendable; - above 9 = not to be missed; My opinion: If you are in the mood for a smooth aromatic Fougère with a woody and leathery dry down then take a look at this Givenchy offer. It has an excellent value for money and it is very consensual, besides being very versatile and easy to wear. If you spot it at a nice price, it is even eligible for a blind purchase. Music: Breakfast at Tiffany's Soundtrack Suite - by Henry Mancini

I suppose it says something that quite a few of my reviews have centered around vastly complex vintage perfumes. I suppose I've been lost in the hum-drum, predictable, blase world of modern perfumery. Indistinct notations written expressionlessly in hopes that key strikes imbue some spark, or deliciously impassioned remark. Blotters aligned in disappointment. Then again, perhaps its not that bad at all, and I've just reached the apex of life, before the downward slide of age, where current moments seem so disappointing compared to the warm radiance of youth long past. I assert that the dazzle lay in the wonder of discovery and not necessarily at the hand of genius. For the rub, the ironic laugh, lies in a universally timeless truth: nothing is as grand as the generation one claims. I'm reminded of this as I read reviews for perfumes, I forgot I loved, referred to as "challenging", "harsh", or God forbid, "Granny-like". (Insert any number of defensive statements I have swung like swords in the past.) Even as we speak, there are many of my generation still filling saucers with their tears about reformulation. As I am certain, era after era expressed the same grief: "Lavender doesn't last as long without baby seal in it!" or "Things sure smelled better when we used actual anal secretions!" (Postulations from a Victorian Era perfume association[?]). Disturbing and preposterous - right?! Yet, here we are again. Happy to consume any number of fast-food chemical marvels, but project so indignantly when it comes to synthetic sandalwood infused in our latest eBay bargain buy. There were other examples I drummed up in my imagination, but the disgust might turn off more delicate perfumees reading, that may still believe Civet and Castoreum are cleaning agents, and not the very living ingredients that were required for their (grand)mother's precious signature scent. My mother has been noted as saying, "There is nothing new under the sun". I suppose we can make the same generalizations about the wide world of perfumery, as well as the protestations regarding said subject. And just when my cynicism has peaked and plateaued, I reach for Xeryus, and test this very theorem. I realized as I was writing this review, my last was on Rumba's boasting of twenty-nine ingredients being the Heinz 57 of fragrances. Xeryus, and I laugh writing this, has exactly twenty-nine ingredients. Before Rumba, I wrote of Beautiful with thirty-two, and like Beautiful, Xeryus projects a very singular composition, seemingly simplistic, while blinding the wearer with utter illumination! Layers of resinous balsam and woody herbaceousness collate as a single data point. Two-dimensional tangibility. Puckering bright citrus and peppery florals enunciate the punctuate prior notes. Still, at the top, we see little more than piercing light through a pin hole. The image begins to transform as our angle of vision twists upon its axis, exposing a more inclusive perspective. Where once was a scintillating speck of blinding luminosity, now softens with delicate, verdant whispers of tarragon and coriander. The caressing, velvet assertiveness of violet leaf and lily of the valley, along with satiny nuances of nutmeg flower and cyclamen, take our hands, and steer us towards mountain ranges, dripping with Spring's first thaw. The smell of juniper and cypress, shocked warm from a wintry slumber, release an almost metallic odor. Balsam branches snap and under-growth crunch from the weight of eager trampling, and an earthy sweetness emerges, before the twang of leather apparel distract attention. Breathless wonder; a shimmering landscape! My mother's words cut through the condensate atmosphere. "There is nothing new under the sun." My mind makes sense of this, and files it under 'simple fact'. ....but then again, perhaps something as small as a pinhole of light, blown open by ageless clarity, can indeed be a portal to other worldly places, that were always accessible in our hearts, and in our heads.

This was my first scent as a teenager in the 1980s. All the guys discovered colognes, mostly because of the release of Drakkar Noir, and they bathed in it. Was the first time you started smelling people from across the room. I decided to go a different direction and found Xeryus de Givenchy. In those days the bottle was black and very cool looking. Although I couldn't compete with the power of Drakkar, I got more compliments than my classmates, because Drakkar was essentially played-out within months of release. I wore it as my signature scent for a good four or five years, all through my late teens and early 20's. Fast-forward some 40 years (!!!) and I discovered that they still make Xeryus. I decided to grab a bottle for nostalgia. The design is way different - a tall, heavy frosted glass bottle with a 'gemstone' type cap. Still not bad looking, but not as cool as the original black. But the scent had been watered down significantly. The "punch" of the base seemed almost missing, it wasn't as rich and mysterious. Not a bad fragrance, but a shadow of its former self. This one's hard to describe (I'll stick with the modern version). As you see from the note breakdown, there are a LOT of notes. It's challenging (for me anyway) to pick out notes. It's very citrusy, herbal, aromatic and green, in the initial spray, this lasts a good hour and provides nice sillage. Then it starts to dry down into something I can't quite describe. Not quite as exciting. Still very citrusy and herbal, maybe some notes of leather, woods, I don't know. These were MUCH more pronounced in the original formula, and really made the fragrance special. Now it's just kind of barbershoppy - clean and nice - but nothing to write home about - and stays bright rather than going darker and mysterious. If you can get a hold of the original vintage black bottle Xeryus de Givenchy, that would be a great find, and you should grab it. There's something quite special there. The modern concoction isn't a bad fragrance at all, good I think as an all-year, day or night fragrance, and plays slightly unisex, leaning masculine. But I wouldn't consider it special anymore and there are simply too many frags that outshine this fragrance in its own aromatic/herbal category. It's still complex, just ... less exciting.

Xeryus is a seemingly simple, elegant, discreet, fresh, spicy and woody perfume, but with an enviable smoothness. Personally, I consider it a complex perfume, very well elaborated and where each note plays a primary role in the harmony of the whole. The fragrance can both be considered an aromatic and woody Fougère, as well as a moderately woody, fresh and slightly spicy perfume. Due to its complexity, it is a real challenge to identify the notes individually. The aperture is herbaceous, very citrusy, flowery, and lavender aromatized. In the heart, and while the notes of citrus fade, the fragrance becomes a little spicier, and woodier and shows hints of cypress and juniper. The base evolves in a woody, mossy way, and dries down with slightly balsamic leathery, mossy and woody accords. The original perfume was denser than the newer version, and this characterised the fragrance in a very special way. The longevity has changed little and, with three sprays of the current version, one is guaranteed to perceive the perfume for over eight hours. However, the sillage, which previously extended for a generous six feet and ensured almost three hours of projection, has given up that glow and shrunk to a 3~4-foot radius and less than two hours of projection. The fragrance remains very up to date, even if the strong vintage character has been transformed into a clean and pleasant barbershop. The perfume that now seems clean and bright, was once darker and more mysterious. My opinion: If you are in the mood for a smooth aromatic Fougère with a woody and leathery dry down then take a look at this Givenchy offer. It has an excellent value for money and it is very consensual besides being very versatile. If you spot it at a nice price, it is even eligible for a blind purchase. Music: Breakfast at Tiffany's Soundtrack Suite (by Henry Mancini)

Xeryus is a nice smelling fragrance. But not as overpowering, hugely strong, offensive or loud like people describe it here. It's actually known as a somewhat sublte and mellow fragrance. It's fresh and it would even be good in summer, it's a little bit warm, but it has a feel of sweet freshness and from experience it was nice even on the hottest summer days the past week. I get a grapefruit and maybe lavendar smell pretty much all through it's duration, mostly grapefruit, which is nice, I don't really identify much of a leather note. And it doesn't surprise me that some people think this is a good unisex scent. It says on the bottle; "Aromatic Ambre - Vitality of Grapefruit and Cypress, sensuality of Amber and Gaiac wood" and I think that's a good description. I'm inbetween love/like for Xeryus, I love it in a non-offensive "can't go wrong, multiple use fragrance" type of way... but I don't quite love it in a "something very special" way. Xeryus and Eau Sauvage are my everyday fragrances

Interesting situation with this one. Very well structured, well blended thing with a generally pleasing aromatic fougere vibe. I bet this slapped upon release. It has a freshness that presaged aquatic fragrances. The dry down is even more elegant that the top and the heart. All that said, it’s impossible to truly appreciate this because the fragrance that is created here has essentially been jacked to serve as the foundational smell of the big box men’s hygiene hair and body wash products. Halfway between Lauder for Men and the aquatics that would inevitably replace it. If Dominique Ropion designed Axe body spray. Think of Xeryus as a victim of its own success. Kind of perverse with such a now ubiquitous and popular scent, but I like to wear this if I’m not going anywhere. Ubiquity aside, there are many worse ways of ending the night than with a bit of Jamaican rum, a cigarette, and the dry down of Xeryus lingering in the background.

This definitely has lost some power but still very close to its origin smell-wise. Suitable for more mature gentlemen. It is a complex fragrance with a lot of notes. The main accord section represents this very accurately. In floral notes, jasmine is more prominent to my nose while I can identify the rest of them as well. For me the portion of carnation is perfect as I don't like its profile. In its base Cedar shines. I don't get much incense in it nor sandalwood which the og had a bolder profile for both. All citruses and junipers give a nice fresh spicy/green dimension to it. Overall, I really like this and in low dosage can be office safe. The og is very similar to Tsar Van Cleef & Arpels but not as much the latest reformulation. If you want to experience something closer to the og, try Tsar Van Cleef & Arpels.

One of the more interesting quality scents you can buy for under 30 bucks. The incense in this really comes through, especially as it matures on the skin. The opening is a nice touch of rindy lemon sweetness/vetiver for me. The woodiness starts to come through in the mid stage with the oakmoss. But what comes most prominently in the end is the incense. Its not unpleasant, but could be a surprise for some who wouldnt be expecting that to go along with the other notes of the scent. To me, Xeryus Rouge feels more like the OG and Xeryus the flanker because Rouge is much more approachable and familiar from a scent profile perspective, especially for beginners. But nonetheless, I do quite like Xeryus. Very interesting and well worth its 30 dollar price tag (at the moment) from discounters.

Fantastic Fragrance ! Spicy, Soapy, Green, Woody and Complex. This review is based on the new reformulation clear bottle. Nowadays It is hard to find and very Rare. It opens up with soapy fresh spicy, green and spices notes in the background then dry down is mossy and woody. It is similar to the perfumes of 80's decade exactly, Old School, Barbershop style , Nostalgic and Classic. If you like Open Black and One Man Show, You will like this one, They are not the same but the same style. It is perfect for the spring, fall and winter. I'm so happy that I have it in my collection , Longevity is very good . Thumbs Up. Rating : 7.5 / 10

Strangely enough it seems Givenchy were a bit late to the fougere party everyone was throwing back in the 80’s. Think Kouros, Ebene, Drakkar Noir, Lauder for Men, (why not) Antaeus.... And yet it could be perceived as a fougere reference. My bottle is from 2005 and it smells like the 80’s. Such a joy sniffing the pine sap, the aromatic lavender, the delicate carnation, the bitter moss, the sweet amber. There’s even a slight animalic accent that just makes it even more wonderful. *****

I found a bottle of Xeryus almost 2 decades old (among other Givenchy perfumes) while clearing a closet filled with cardboard boxes from one of the many times I've moved places... I tried it on myself, and I find it very pleasant, invigorating, and with character... I'd definitely love it on my man. For some reason the scent evokes a full moon night. Since the bottle is pretty ancient (metallic dark blue), the fragrance could be a bit different from the newer bottles available today.

To me - this smells like a combination of Drakkar Noir and Salvatore Ferragamo's Acqua Essenziale Colonia. The opening is very close to Acqua Essenziale Colonia and the mid to base is very close to Drakkar Noir. Not a bad fragrance, just feel like I've smelled it many times. I don't see how anyone could think this is a winter fragrance??? Definitely spring and fall oriented. I swear, people on here just read the notes and vote without ever having smelled or worn a fragrance...

Very classy sophisticated fresh and green truly masculine fragrance. beautiful amalgam of woods and spices giving the feeling of freshness and elegance. somewhat similar to another great fragrance known as Devin by aramis. I personally like the bottle as well it is elegant too! Overall i give it 8 out of 10.

Everytime I apply this one I question why I ever liked it until patience provides an answer. The initial top note delivery is a spell of sharp pungent soap. Eventually the earthen greens and subtle spicy sweet facets come through; a washed leathery appeal lingers.

I bought this fragrance 27 years ago , I had vintage black bottle. It was awful like the smell of metal, synthetic fragrance. I don't buy it again. Rating : 2/10

Has been reformulated but still remain a great scent👍 although I prefer the vintage version❤️ and it remind much of original patou pour homme👍

whats not to like about Xyrus? the "main accords" above seem to list it quite well - woody like a gleaming freshly varnished wood, fresh like a floral bouquet, a light touch of spice, and a green-ness like the sunny springtime, but also a bit rich, and a bit warm. It's a bit "perfumey". Elegance. But not really a favorite of mine. it's not bad though. In the end there is a powdery spicy amber scent. It's basically like a cold sort of piney floral, not really pine but one of those sweet smelling pines, almost like cedar leaves. cold piney floral. There is a mossy roughness in the mid, but honestly I really don't know what moss smells like in perfumery. I would also say, there is a slight tangy herbal quality somewheres underneath, but quite a bit underneath. You know, I actually also smell a little bit of piney-ness it it, like cedar leaves. I think there is a good bit of white musk in this. but it does not smell particularly musky when compared to say jovan white musk for men, but those two scents smell kinda similar. There is a smidgen of mandarine orange. There is also some dry vetiver. its a Nice scent. kinda springtimey. Needless to say, it is pretty complex. Really though, it's not my type of style of scent. In particular is is far too a lemony resin scent with a floracity. I generally prefer more musky styles. there is some nice dry spice in it, but overall it is thick lemony resin with floracity. You can tell a bit of an early 80's dirty floral scent in this, in a way similar to how it is in Oscar de la Renta pour Lui. to sum it up though, you might say it is a green floral fougere, leading to a spicy white base, with some amber. I believe this is actually a male version of the original female one, similar to how oscar pour lui is the male complement fragrance of the original oscar for women.

hmmm. jasmine and bergamot with a woody dusty-ness is what I get primarily. beyond that I could say it is quite a floral fragrance blended with a lot of citrus and some woody spice and a bit of dry incense. Not my style really, it;s quite floral, which is one thing, but I don;t really prefer citrus based fragrances. Even though I dont prefer them, they can be fragrances which highlight a night out such as an after work party at the glowlights bowling alley or similar circumstances, because they are generally fun and easy going happy vibe fragrances. other citrus heavy frags are versace l'homme, and hanae mori for men, which seems a bit similar to this one in some ways, but this one has more dust and dryness to it and less citrus and a bit more floral. It;s a nice scent, but not really for me. I could see myself wearing this one if I was languishing in the back of a limo in a tuxedo, but for workplace or any specific time or place to wear this really I can;t think of anything where it would seem to fit into like a glove. It is fairly perfumey, and quite floral and citrus, like I said with a dusty woody-ness. The scent is very blended so it is hard to pick out particular notes, but there are what is likely a lot of florals and perhaps even light piny notes hiding in the green aspect to this fragrance, but primarily I get what I think is jasmine, bergamot, dry woody incense, and other florals, all in all blended into a fairly rich somewhat perfumey fragrance. It;s a quality scent, just not my style.