Ether

This is an absolute masterpiece and immediately leaps to the forefront of Xerjoff's top 5 ouds. Of the new releases I also think Astral is brilliant but more in the wheelhouse of what has been done before. We get an immediate burst of citruses with an animalic undertone and more than just a hint of sweet warmth and aromatic sage evident within minutes. I am reminded of Roja's Pierre de Velay 4, which mixes rum with an aromatic sage and bay accord, but in this case it is oud and not booze that is apparent. Totally mesmerising. As the citruses fade, the green element emerge but the vanilla and oud are always there providing a warmth to contrast the more uplifting notes. A wow factor fragrance for sure. I own 4 of the XJ Attars including King Masarat, which is 80% similar to Kemi, the former having more citrus and aromatics (by a touch) and Kemi having more leathery castoreum and carmel/vanilla like Lira (by a touch). It is hard to distinguish between Kemi and King Masarat on skin, so I never bought Kemi. I also have Ceylon, which is great but challenging with the rotting fruit signature of Malaysian Oud. But Ether is a new king. It is totally mesmerising and a true 10/10. Totally wearable too, while not compromising one bit. Alexandria II has a new rival at the top of the Xerjoff Oud Empire.

There is so much to say about Ether. Talk about a diamond in the rough! To preface what I am about to write, I purchased a small sample of every fragrance from the new K Collection. Some were better than others, but I was mostly disappointed. Quite surprised to be honest because I am such a fan of Xerjoff. Ether is one of the last samples I tried and it is most definitely the best in the collection. I think it is one of the best from the entire brand! This is a masterpiece in my opinion. It’s overlooked or simply not talked about perhaps because of the price. $410 for 1.7 Oz is fundamentally ridiculous. And it angers me that I am going to purchase it. It's one of those fragrances that you have to have in your collection after you smell it. You can't stop thinking about it and then you compare it to other fragrances you are testing or even your permanent archive which is even worse. It ruins your plans that's how good it is.

Lemon + Orange Lavender + Sage + warm Benzoin Sandelwood + Caramel The first hour this is pretty animalic, if you hate animalic scents dont try it. Overall this is an Orange scent with a bit of an aromatic touch well balanced warm benzoin with a good amount of caramel and sandelwood. This is perfect for the spring right now, I personally like it a lot but most people will probably think its too animalic in the first hour. I am really digging the magical Orange + Amalfi Lemon combo in the beginning and the slightly aromatic warm airy benzoin heart on top of the caramel. The caramel is not too much that it can be labeled gourmand. Overall this is an aromatic citrus scent with a warm creamy touch to it. I love that it comes across as overall airy as the benzoin/caramel/sandelwood doesnt make it too thick or heavy. Great Release but you 100% need to sample it before buying.

This is really interesting and clearly unisex. It grows on you. If there is something called moderate oud with sweetness of caramel, then this is it. It’s probably for those who have started getting comfortable with a bit of skanky out, but not into the potent cambodi / hind oud. Good offering and to me smells in a similar ballpark to Kai Poten Oud 31...with the latter being more potent on oud but this one being overall more pleasing. Shukran Habibi!

Ether is the best Xerjoff by far, absolute masterpiece, anyone who says it smells like poop are too young, dont have taste, are not experienced enough to appreciate the sensation of authentic Oud or they didnt wait 30min. opens up bright fresh citrusy with a little animalic oud, after the drydown it gets really smooth creamy and a little sweet because of caramel vanilla 10/10