Gibeon

Just when you think you have Xerjoff figured out, they come at you from a totally different direction. I own more Xerjoffs than any other house apart from Tom Ford and Gibeon stands out on its own from the Torinos, Alexandria II, Naxos, the Iommis and the rest. It isn't especially well known as their releases go. It is a powdery cinnamon scent with golden heart of neroli and tonka bean set against a very attractive, slightly creamy orris root. It smells less complex than it is. The way the patchouli goes a bit chocolatey in the drydown gives me a strange, indulgent Lindor gold wrapper vibe to sniff it on the wrist - even if this is 100% not a gourmand fragrance. Imagine what would happen if you created a scent that was half F*cking Fabulous by Tom Ford and half Neroli Portofino, but with the vote of Xerjoff's own Naxos in the languid, golden way it wears. That's more or less what you get with Gibeon. It is probably my favourite of Euan McCall's work along with the outstanding Spiritcask by Jorum which is a must-try if you haven't already. Like many Xerjoffs, it is not linear. It goes down borderline over-sweet but backs off charmingly in the drydown as the patchouli and very fine sandalwoods in the base come into their own. What blows my mind is how wearable this is. You wouldn't think this notes list would work in the office or in a casual setting but it really does. You can do two sprays in the morning and it'll last you all day: again like many Xerjoffs the performance is characteristically superb. You can also overspray a bit for a night out and it rocks as well. It is fresher than F*cking Fabulous but the comparisons are valid because of the orris root in this, but Gibeon is fresher and less lipsticky. I'd say F*cking Fabulous is cooler and edgier but Gibeon is more sophisticated. More supper club than techno club I would say. Truthfully, Gibeon is amongst the most versatile and wearable Xerjoffs I own and that in itself is interesting as they are a house that never shies away from creating niche fragrances with niche wearability. I've worn this three times in the last few months and would also say it is one of the more popular Xerjoffs I own in terms of its appeal to others and the compliments I've had. Even my partner likes this one! Everyone loves this one, but so few people know about it. I really recommend getting your nose on this if you enjoy orris. Three Word Summary - Sweet Creamy Gold Layering Suggestion - I tried it over the top of Amethyst Haze by Carolina Herrera the other day and it was stunning. Gibeon lends itself to layering very well actually. Outfit Suggestion - You want a mix of casual and formal for this one so: the good jeans, smart jacket and crisp formal shirt but with the Valentino sneakers and Dita sunglasses. Scent - 9/10 Sillage - 8/10 Drydown - 10/10 Bottle/packaging - 9/10 Performance - 8/10 44/50

I love the scent, but it's not for me. The powdery orris and Bulgarian rose lingered throughout my sample, and due largely to that combination, when I'd catch whiffs of it on me, I felt I was smelling the scent of a classy, sophisticated woman. This fragrance leans HARD into the feminine, and that's coming from a guy that disputes Blue Talisman EDP being feminine and wears it happily. That's NOT a bad thing; if I wanted to project that image of a classy, sophisticated woman, this fragrance would help with that greatly. But that's not me. I will be suggesting this to the cultured women I know, though. Also, longevity is great, lasting as detectable at least 8 hours on my skin; probably would have been more but I quit tracking it after finishing my "workday" evaluation of it. Projection was moderate to strong; and sillage was about the same. If you are looking to express your femininity, love powdery florals, and want to give off a rather noble vibe, I'd strongly recommend this fragrance. It's one of those I love...on someone else. :-) EDIT: and no, I'm not getting DHI from this. The orris note in this is different than the iris scent you find in Dior Homme Intense. I don't get ANY rose from DHI, which this fragrance absolutely radiates.

I feel like Gibeon is Xerjoff’s take on vintage designer fragrances from the likes of Chanel, Dior and Guerlain. And I love it because it’s modernized with the unique touch, smooth quality and high performance I’ve come to expect from Xerjoff. The opening is bright and uplifting with neroli and tea-like petitgrain; and gentle, fluffy Ceylon cinnamon (my favorite to cook with — it differs from the sharper and spicier common Cassia cinnamon). Then an intoxicating rose comes in. And maybe my nose is sensitive, but I think the reviews I’ve watched and read downplay the patchouli. It’s a fresh, vivid patchouli that’s distinctly camphoraceous yet velvety and addictive. It’s well-balanced with the rose and really enhances it. The powdery orris becomes more prominent as the top notes dissipate and, as the hours pass, takes over with white musk, vanilla, tonka and ever-present patchouli. For me, the deep dry down is rich white chocolate on a background of sandalwood and cedar. I can see this fragrance being cloying if over sprayed so do be careful.

Walk into any Vermont country store, where I live, and there’s a moment — usually near the handmade soap display — where the world slows down. The air carries neroli, iris, rose, cinnamon, and sandalwood—not competing for attention but coexisting the way old friends do. Gibeon captures that moment and lets you wear it. What’s remarkable is the harmony. These are notes that could easily crowd each other out, yet here they settle into something cohesive and unhurried. It reads as genuinely natural rather than synthetic — authentic in a way that’s harder to achieve than perfumers often let on. The versatility is real. This works equally well in a sauna with the meat bros or quietly in the background of a long workday, adding a small measure of calm to the ordinary hours. It doesn’t announce itself; it simply improves the room. I’ve already purchased a backup bottle. That says everything. Gibeon is the rare fragrance that feels like a discovery rather than a purchase — one you’ll want to share, and one you’ll definitely want to keep.

I got this in the mail, finally, and my honest thoughts are that this will go down as the best Xerjoff in shooting stars line since Starlight. It's creamy and powdery, but not too powdery. Subtle sweetness. Total unisex. I would compare this to Dior Homme Parfum. At first it goes on a little heavy with the spices, but dries down nicely after about 20 minutes and most of the spices burn off. With the DHP being reformulated, I honestly think there was a void they saw could be filled with this. I don't think I will be the only one to say this, but the drydown has an uncanny resemblance to Dior Homme Parfum. Definately better quality Iris/Orris and much less cheap off-putting lipstick style like with Dior Homme Intense. People who don't let it dry-down will for sure refute my claim of the DHP resemblance. To me there are almost no spices after an hour. Longevity is good, Sillage extends beyond an arm's length. Overall, I think this is better quality than the offerings by Dior, discontinued, or not. 9/10