Begum

What an amazing scent! I had hear some great reviews on YouTube (TroyD247Mall and MrZayas 81) and decided to order a sample to see what all the fuss was about. I have Symphonium, Accento Overdose and Pikovaya Dama and loved the way these fragrances combine class with sex appeal in a package that is always uplifting and inviting. When I first smelled it off a strip in reminded me of MFK Oud Satin Mood with a combination of roses and sweet red berries and a strange bright metallic or thorny green twist that was also somewhat funky but also beautiful. The impression is walking into an exotic forest. The fragrances develops nicely with this note fading into the florals to create what reminds me of a great Musigny with that combination of red fruits, florals and forest floor notes. Like an enchanted forest from the Brothers Grimm. Into the dry down all notes persist but a certain warmness emerges that reminds me of Fragrance du Bois Oud Orange Intense, but it never takes over and dominates to become too sweet and cloying. Instead it is like fresh linen with lingering forest flowers and earthy notes. All elements are in perfect balance and working together to bundle what is a very complex scent into a sexy yet sophisticated masterpiece. I was happy to see that it was the same perfumer as my other Xerjoffs...his personal style seems to be shocking luxury and elegance combined with a flirtatious sexiness that is both mesmerising and uplifting. It is fun, sexy, mysterious, like nothing else out there...so I bought a full bottle and am satisfied 100% I made the right choice. I have compared this to Richwood, and think it is vastly superior. Richwood is supposed to remind us of a Burgundy 1er or Grand Crus, yet the cassis note is more of a Bordeaux than Burgundy thing and in the context of the patchouli and smoky sandalwood reminds me of port spilled on a dusty old book in a library or study. It isn't sexy or vibrant like Begum. I don't know what The Perfume Guy on YouTube likes it so much, because he is normally bang on in his recommendations. I think Demi Rawling's 8/10 rating for Richwood is more realistic. For this type of thing I found FDB's Patchouli Argent to be better. Last, I am curious about the name, which is supposed to be the wife of a high ranking dignitary - she must be unfaithful and a trophy wife, because this stuff is just too sexy to be some rich guy's mature devoted wife. It is also totally unisex and fits perfectly into my collection. I am not a huge fan or rose and my only rose fragrance is FDB Oud Noir Intense, which is more like liquorice soap than rose. I don't like MFK Oud Satin Mood even on my wife because it is too loud sweet and artificial smelling, although nice from a distance. So if you like this kind of thing but thought OSM was too sweet and loud and artificial, try this one! 10/10 like my other 3 Xejoffs. Worth every penny.

I seem to like all Xerjoff's scents in "17/17 Stone Label" collection and those ones from other collections which are made by Chris Maurice. He just knows how to make an excellent perfumes. Most of the Xerjoffs are somewhat so synthetic, unpleasant and poor quality but perfumes in this collection always surprises me with their beauty. Unfortunately for now I only have Richwood and Symphonium but definitely need Irisss, Damarose and Pikovaya Dama and now I fell in love with this one. Straight away in the opening you can feel how beautifully Begum has been blended. all those flowers intertwine seamlessly, creating a velvety and creamy concoction. There is a subtle fruity aroma in the background but mostly it's the luxurious floral bouquet in the utterly soft and dreamy base. Iris and Violet makes it powdery but it's not a dry make up powder. This makes me think about the dream, it feels like sleeping on the clouds, it's like a foggy day in a fairy tale and the sun creates a hazy warm light through the clouds. None of those flowers is dominating the scent. The base is harmonious combination where Vanilla, Musk and Sandalwood are the main players and other woody and amber notes keep them together maintaining the scent floral, not as "Vanilla scent" or too sweet. There is nothing Oriental about the fragrance itself imo. Begum is signature scent worthy, it's year around scent, it has a feminine touch in it. It's so relaxing, I can see it suits well the classy lady at the work. It's elegant, it's attractive and seductive. I think men would love this on women. This scent doesn't bother anyone but still it's unique. It makes irresistible bubble around the wearer. I definitely want to buy a bottle of this one. I wish I would have tried this properly straight away after I got this sample over a year ago. Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗

After first sniffs (first on paper and then on my wrist) I wasn't much impressed with Begum. Imagine that you eat sharp red berries and now turn that into scent. Then imagine you lick cold stainless steel and turn that into scent. My guess is that this impression is generated by the berries, lemon and bergamot combo in the head notes. Or maybe the patchouli, which I perceive as medicinal, has it's voice here too. That phase lasts for up three quarters of an hour maybe. Then the beautiful floral heart of Begum emerges. I can definitely smell roses and iris. Lily of the valley nicely rounds it up with its sweetness. My other guess is that ylang (a bitter note in my opinion) makes Begum's heart refined and balances the lily of the valley and the lilac (sweet notes). There is definitely jasmine, which is warm and cosy and I believe it's jasmine that transitions this scent into its base of woods. For me the base is spectacular, very warm, very pleasant. It's like a cashmere, soft shawl, that kind of shawl that has been touched to the skin scented with many different fragrances and now has this beautiful smell of its own: smell of musk and sandalwood, a tiny hint of vanilla, just the teeny tiny bit of rose and iris lingering around. Warm like amber that's been in the sunshine and now it pleasantly radiates the warmth. And the smell of skin. For me this is a beautiful scent, I feel like I'm in my nice warm bubble when I wear it. It's also a scent that I try to rush by saying to it: oh come on, warm up. Enough of this coolness. I know it doesn't come cheap, but it also doesn't smell cheap. I received few compliments and comments when wearing it: you smell luxurious and rich. Funnily enough, two other fragrances that also get me this kind of comments are Damarose and Irisss. So well done Xerjoff!

I bought it recently. As all Xerjoff sophisticated punch of diff. Notes usually filled of layering. A tip , if u wanna really know Xerjoff, u should spray on ur skin ( not paper) give it time. Smell, then after hours another smell for the dry down. Begum for me , fresh, floral, woodsy. I agree, u will smell rich. Xerjoff usually use very high quality stuff ( no doubt) Excellent longevity as all Xerjoff and same sillage. For sure , u will smell diff. This can be a signature scent. What i like more about begum is the versatility of it. Wearable all the time in all occasions ( if u r crazy enough to spend the money :) )

This is the best fragance all i ever had, try this and you 'll never regret except the price