Groove Xcape

Groove Xcape is the Xerjoff release that accidentally wandered into a liminal corridor of the brand’s catalogue.Too experimental to stand with the crowd‐pleasers, too polished to be filed under “weird indie” and ultimately destined to hover in that charming nowhere-space where hidden gems tend to live. Born from Joff’s collaboration with Max Casacci (Subsonica's co‐founder who composed an entire track using only the clinks, hisses, and swirls of perfume bottles), the project had all the makings of a cross‐disciplinary triumph, yet somehow slipped under most people’s radar. This offbeat release concept is exactly what placed it in liminality: it wasn't quite a perfume launch, not quite a multimedia art experiment, and not quite an ambient soundscape... but rather a little bit of all three. And that is precisely why it’s interesting. On skin, Grove Xcape mirrors that liminality and, ultimately, the bottle's design makes a lot of sense. The metallic flash of ginger, cardamom, and elemi feels like stepping into a dream mid‐scene: a sharp, glimmering threshold rather than a conventional top note. Vinchon-Spehner’s command of resinous materials becomes even more obvious as the scent drifts into frankincense, mimosa, and myrrh: suddenly the edges blur, and the whole composition takes on the disembodied quality of a lucid dream you’re not sure you’re supposed to be in. In the last part of this trip, comes the base: labdanum, cedarwood, benzoin are grounding the liminal haze. The result? A fragrance that’s neither here nor there. Grove Xcape wasn’t built for mass appeal or Xerjoff’s usual luxury sheen... but it was certainly built to perform. It will last on your skin for 12+ hours, with an above average projection which gets stronger when your body warms up. If you enjoy perfumes that feel like they’re glitching reality (but they are often available at heavily discounted prices), this one is worth stepping into the hallway for. You might never come back. Enjoyed the read? Find more of my fragrance ramblings on my NEW YouTube channel: @mostly_just_perfumes

We open with the protection spell of fresh orange pomanders, studded with cloves. Evil energies dispersed, we move into a heart of resins and incense. However this isn’t the typical bright churchy incense of Cardinal/Avignon/Full Incense, instead taking on a cold, flinty, matchstick-gunpowder tone, which I find has more in common with Fille en Aguilles, but lacking the Lutens’ contrast of sugary fruit and festive spices - I’d only wear this austere scent at Christmas-time if I’ve been a very bad boy indeed. And the conflict between presentation and use case is a bit of a conundrum. This is sophisticated and ultra high quality, you can easily dress it up. But if someone at a formal event asks you what scent you’re wearing and you start jabbering about some fragrance created by a DJ and intended for ravers and it’s called Groovy XXXcapade or something ... they’re gonna gawp at you like you just sprouted a third head. Oh well. I love it, but it wears like an extrait - dense and eternal but close to the skin, so I probably won’t ever be asked. If it happens I’ll just lie and say it’s a Filippo Sorcinelli or something.

It's pretty similar to Honor Man in the opening, perhaps a bit more complex, and the ambroxan isn't quite as loud here (although it's still an ambroxan bomb, make no mistake). It changes dramatically after 20 minutes, going in a sweet, floral direction. Very strange, I can't decide how I feel about it for now. Update: OK yes, it's absolutely genius, LOVE it. People say it smells more like an Amouage, and I can see what they mean, but there are a few which overlap between the brand style in this way, and the interesting thing is that this perfume doesn't resemble any Amouage perfume, apart from in the opening. After that it diverges drastically from what Honor Man does. Honor becomes a peppery vetiver scent, whereas Groove Xcape goes down a bizarre (in a good way), powdery floral route thanks to the mimosa, but still retains the spices, it's very unique, very strong and very addictive. Xerjoff fans also say this one is cold and not at all sweet. I mean, yes, compared to the Xerjoff catalogue this is bone dry, but by any normal standard it's still fairly sweet, just sweet enough.

The blue bottle and the marketing arond Groove Xcape might mislead some people. This is not a blue fragrance, nor a youthful party/nightclubbing scent. Perhaps the best way to approach this fragrance, is to forget about the ad and the presentation, and to just focus on its pyramid/scent profile. It's a very spicy, very balsamic, and very comforting oriental perfume where Incense, Pepper, Cardamom and Rose are the stars of the show, with a touch of sweetness coming from Benzoin. To me at least, this fragrance evokes more images of the 1960s Haight-Ashbury hippie scene, than those of EDM festivals. It leans masculine and mature. Being a collaboration, it could be considered as a sort of bespoken creation, so yes, it's not for everyone. But if you like resinous and spicy compositions, give it a testing. It is unique, and its performance leaves nothing to be desired, yet it doesn't feel overwhelming. A love for me.

This was a blind buy on first spray and my first day with this i didn’t know what to think. Extremely unique to me I seen a video about it smelling sort of dry ice smoke machine and warm but cool smell I know weird but I totally get that. (I’m by no means skilled at knowing what’s what with scents I just know what I like lol) now after a week with it I’m falling in love with it. I don’t know if it’s because the juice in the bottle has had a bit of time to set but it smells better to me then first day or 2. It’s definitely going to shine in cooler weather I think for me . I’m definitely not disappointed in this purchase looking forward to giving it a good run. Also I personally think the bottle matches the scent. But that’s my opinion 🤷♂️

Such a weird marketing for this one, the bottle, the name, the box... This is such a churchy incense, aromatic. While the box and bottle screams manly perfume who goes out in the nightclub and picks up women. Glad I have encountered this one but because Zefiro I saw that they have notes in common however Zefiro is just too bright for me cause of the white wine, I hated that but this one is such a wonderful perfume.

I love this thing, dry somber incense bounced about through the different stages, the centre stays similar throughout and then the fringes evolve through gentle ginger to roses and then luscious woods. The advertising is awful though, it makes it look like something to wear clubbing but smells like the ghost of Christmas past

it has a salty undertone . beneath the incesy peppery top notes and salty ambery accord embodied the pefume. remind the fry fown of 40 knots. Blue torquise. aqua di sale dry down. very unique and unlike any other fragrances . don't judge base on other people just test it.

Exciting new release, just blind bought it. High hopes after the amazing Iommi which has become my favourite (also a blind buy)

like armani bleu turqoise minus the vanilla and more balsamic. i like this one more and its more complex. very nice!

The notes looked good so I bought it.

This fragrance is quite confusing. Initially, I pictured a mellow yet energetic scent, perhaps with a tropical twist. However, after reviewing the notes, I realized I was mistaken. This fragrance is the exact opposite; it’s a resinous, slightly somber incense scent. Since incense is one of my favorite notes, I was pleased. Groove Xcape is relatively under the radar, but it’s one of the best olfactory tricks I’ve ever encountered. Part of the Xerjoff Blends collection—which also includes the popular Tony Iommi Monkey Special fragrances, which I haven’t tried—Groove Xcape focuses on the fusion of sound and scent. Upon spraying Groove Xcape, the first thing you notice is the incense and resins; it’s a deep, slightly gritty experience. My nose kept searching for something familiar yet odd in the scent until it hit me—it smells like white smoke! More specifically, it reminds me of the white smoke from fog machines used in the past. I’m not sure if these machines are still popular, possibly in rave-type parties, but I have distinct memories of being in clubs during the late '90s and early 2000s, where bass-heavy music filled the air and a dense white fog surrounded everything. That cold, white fog aroma lingers right above the warm incense. This fragrance might not elicit compliments (which I don’t mind), but it is truly unique, especially for those who appreciate incense fragrances and have a nostalgic connection to the fog machines of the past.

I'm surprised at the low rating here. Groove Xcape is quite good. It opens with a strong blast of pepper which subsides as it dries down and a beautiful woody-incense scent comes to the front. Both longevity and projection are pretty good. I was ready to add Groove Xcape to my shopping list but was concerned about possible duplication or redundancy. I already have some spicy/oriental type fragrances and didn't want another bottle if they were too similar. So I tested and compared it to Pasha de Cartier Parfum and Ambre sultan EAU DE PARFUM. I have a couple of others Groove Xcape could be compared to but decided to start with those two. All three, as it is, are different - there was no mistaking one for the other. On a spectrum, I'd say Groove Xcape sits between the Pasha and Ambre Sultan. Groove Xcape stood out with the incense scent the most, even though that aspect wasn't overly strong. However, all three are similar in the sense that they scratch the fall/winter spicy itch. When it comes to incense, I prefer Derviche II, which I recently tested, over Groove Xcape. So, while Groove Xcape is quite good, I will pass on it for now due to fragrances I already own filling that particular niche and my preference of Derviche II for an incense fragrance.

I'm still not sure how I feel about Groove. I like it, but I wish it was turned up more. I really like bottles that punch me in the nose lol. This one lingers, it's soft, it's chill and I guess that is what Xerjoff was going for. It is unique and worth a try for hardcore Xheads. Xerjoff PLEASE put this into 100ml bottles and stop with the 50's

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Sample from Xerjoff. They actually sent me 5 instead of the 4 I paid for which is cool. Sprayed on my right arm, most of these are my initial impressions for indoors testing. Medicinal, sharp spicy opening. Makes me think of Encens Suave. Gets a little bit sweeter, but still a lot of spices. Fairly middle-Eastern in the air. I smell it up close...very strong. Reminds me a little bit of Ceylon on first sniff. Middle-Eastern up close as well. Resinous rose, incense slowly starting to show. Getting A LOT (!) of elemi resin/amber and spices, the rose is getting outdone here and it's not even close. The slight sweetness we had at the opening has mostly faded within 10-15 minutes. Mostly left with a resinous/amber/warm spicy profile with a mild rose accord & mild-to-moderate incense (that increases in intensity, but has a tolerable ceiling). As a result, wouldn't say the aforementioned 2 comparables are that accurate. Doesn't really smell like Amouage's Opus 12 either which I was expecting to be the main comparison, but if you smelled this and were asked what brand is this, it would be Amouage and not Xerjoff. Some may also compare this to the amber fragrances from Carner Barcelona. Doesn't wow me, nothing that standout compared to what Iommi was.

It’s meh tbh. Not bad but not great. Smells like a realistic black pepper in the opening. When the incense seeps in it does remind me of Indian spices/food because of the black pepper. Weird but after the pepper is gone the amber makes it better. Its basically black pepper, then incense with depth and sweetness, and then at the end it just smells like your average amber dry down. 6.5/10 smell with crazy longevity 8hr+ with powerful projection for about 4 hours. Good oil quality too. All in all i’ll give it like 7-7.5/10. Definitely nice in the winter as a unique scent

Got my bottle today. This one is interesting but very odd. Not an everyday scent. Met my dad today who said it smelled like a sawmill. It stings strongly at the beginning. Settles down nicely after about half an hour. I get a lot of wood, incense and pepper and ginger on a cedar base. Very odd. Very ginger strong in the opening. I would not use this in an office, but outside, yes. It's too much basically. 2,5 out of 5 points.

What an odd fragrance? It’s starts off with a unwelcomed blast of pepper, reminiscent of pepper spray. Your first inclination will be to run for the nearest sink and wash it off, but don’t! Give it a second to calm its ass down. Within a few minutes, that first blast settles down into a pleasant smokey incense forward fragrance. It’s slightly “mildewy” but, at the right time and place, it’s interesting enough for a night out.

Smells just like Xerjoff Zefiro which smells like Ivry Route... Both of which I own already... =( I love Xerjoff Zefiro , but having Groove Escape is redundant.

I'm new to the scent game, but have had the chance to analyze 11 Xerjoff fragrances to date and while Monkey Special has become one of my favorite of all scents, this other entry in the "Blends" collection has got be my least favorite. So much that my inaugural post on this forum is dedicated to my distaste for it. I don't have the nose nor the vocabulary to give proper description to how much Groove Xscape sucks. Suffice it say that it starts out as an unfortunate mix of peppery spice, with some clove and ginger detectable amidst the bleached tips, leather cuffs and puka shell necklaces, and dries down to smell like the bar of Ivory Spring that's been left in the locker room shower (in a bad way, in case that's needs clarification). Overall I'm finding with Xerjoff that while they have some clear winners (I'm also a fan of Nio), they have leant their maximalist philosophy to many questionable smells.

I like Xerjoff as a brand (if only for 1 or 2 Star hits that I love from them lol) *but sorry Xerjoff, this ain't it. Another tired, Cardamom bomb with same old rose floral mid and the 'expected nice' woody-amber base. I think it's Ok but sorry, Cardamom in scents is not my thing. My rating: 4/10.

Very strong incense aroma. Smells like church.

If you , like me, thought you were getting some modern new DNA, you're sadly mistaken. I get a strong Clove smell, very very old Manish, like Obsession with heavy incense. Disappointed

Lmfaooooo this is nothing like zefiro/Ivory Route. This isn't even much of an incense fragrance. The opening takes the black pepper aspects from D&G Velvet Incenso and you can also say the black pepper is similar to the opening of Amouage Honour Man but HM's black pepper is more photorealistic and will temporarily assault your nostrils. Furthermore, yes, It is boring. It is not long that it dries down to a generic hotel soap with some rose touches. At least you will smell clean with this offering. If you like vintage soaps, this is for you. It does a good job at that. IMHO, I really don't care for the scent; i'll maybe use it for work here and there. I got this only because the bottle design is outstanding.

No one is saying it but here's the problem with this release... you've got a great looking bottle, presentation, name etc. and a great fragrance, BUT they don't belong together. This blue, silver, and black bottle that has cool, electric energy is containing a very resinous, heavy incense fragrance. It doesn't make any sense. I strongly feel that a presentation like this should have an aquatic fragrance with some real zip to it. Something futuristic and modern smelling. Missed opportunity. It's also worth noting that this fragrance immediately reminded me of a very exclusive fragrance from Xerjoff that was not released to the public. Encensoir. This definitely has to be the same incense accord.

Got a sample box of this when I seen at discounters that this has to be the cheapest Xerjoff on EBay hands down at under $100 & people are saying it’s similar to Zefiro!! cool! I almost bought it! But got this sample in & now glad I didn’t!! I do see the similarities, But just one light spray to start with on my wrist and it’s wearing me out with the incense. It’s not smooth & enjoyable as Zefiro & honestly can’t put my finger on it! But the juice in the sample is so dark it’s almost brown & the incense is just too much becoming more piercing the further it goes into the drydown. I don’t ever really come across Xerjoff’s I can’t do, Till I come across this one

Hated it initially, but now after a month of aquiring it, the scent has grown on me and i am in love with it. Its very elegant and unique. Absolutely loving the powdery smokiness, spiciness, i can sense some vanilla in it as well. It is quite long lasting, specially on clothes. Can clearly smell it on a shirt which i wore 5 to 6 days back, as if the perfume was applied today morning !!!!

Somewhere in this creation is a beautiful fresh ozonic soapy fragrance, but unfortunately it is being savaged by an overdose of pooey incense , tragic really however its a great bottle design and lasts a long time on my skin, if you like things like masque milano mandala or xerjoffs zefiro you may enjoy this, I find it spoiled by the perfumer being heavy handed with incense.

De façon assez cocasse il me fait penser au Big Mac du Macdonald ... J'ai mis un peu de temps à comprendre le lien mais pour moi l'ouverture sent les cornichons, je me serais attendue à voir de la Baie rose CO2 dans les notes mais ça doit être le poivre .. Ah la mémoire olfactive !!!

Picture this: A mature women that wears expensive (red?) lipstick. This scent smells to me like that expensive lipstick. Not worth the price in my opinion. I would rather opt for Xerjoff Zefiro instead.

Cold, smooth, elegant scent. This is a soapy incense and myrrh centered fragrance. Very similar to Avignon and Full incense. I think it's ok but very overpriced like everything from Xerjoff.

I agree with a lot of the reviews, it is strong on the incense and not the most modern scent, but I kinda like it and find it interesting. Although I am not sure if it's worth retail price.

It amazes me every time when some people instantly put negative/fake reviews on new fragrances. Like, why? Don't waste your own time and the time of others.

I think this is awful. I've tried around 10-12 Xerjoff's and so far I only like Naxos and Monkey Special, but this is comfortably in last place.

Tiger Nest, is that you? You know what I'm saying! Same parfumer, same perfume, different brand House.

Xerjoff please stop make collabs with people and do your own stuff. Hard skip for this. Shame..

It's just ok. Smells alright but lacks sexiness.

Smells just like Maria Candida Gentile Sideris

First impression....Amouage honor man