Holysm

This is one of those fragrances where you are challenged. It is an achievement. By that I mean that the opening is an incredibly intense hit of falling out of a resinous fir tree head first into a garden of aromatic sage, thyme. It is almost confronting and in that is quite similar to another Xerjoff I tried recently. But where Zefira just keeps going and doubles down on the powerful greenery, herbs and cypress notes without ever really getting the benefit of the citrus and bergamot in there, Holysm pivots and changes. It takes about 90 minutes to dry down fully.... but when it does.... Holysm softens in this bewitching way that turns it from a cedary, green assault of herbs and fir oils into the most refined, wonderfully balanced, frankly genius bit of formal perfumery. It is as if it takes a little while for the accords to organise themselves to work together in balance. The oud notes below sit with some sandalwood and labdanum and add a mossy, woody richness that balances out the herbs and medicinal notes, and I think this fragrance really starts to sing when they come on in. The greenery is still there but it is balanced and considered. It does seem out of kilter at first but the later accords even it out into something stunning. It becomes less alpine flavour car air freshener and more the whole entire Alpine mountain range in all its majestic, soaring glory. THIS is why I love this hobby. This is why I love real perfumery. And this is why I will always love Xerjoff even if I do not love all their fragrances. Xerjoff do wonderful things that reward an educated or interested nose and curious mind. Holysm is one of these. It is certainly fair to say that you need to be into fragrances in a real way to understand and appreciate this mighty scent fully. And what a stunning looking bottle. My word. I'd keep this in my collection if I only wore it once a decade because of how stunning that bottle is. But luckily, I love this fragrance (and all the more so because you don't spray it, you activate it and then wait for the magic to happen) and so we should really talk about how you go about wearing this. Obviously, it isnt a daily wearer. You cannot wear this for casual days. You absolutely should not be wearing this down the pub. If you are like me, this will be a four or five times a year wearer. A real special occasion thing. I am an overweight, 5"10, bald, bearded, tattooed man whose face shows the toll taken on him by his job and the sacrifices he has had to make, and still makes, to keep it all going. I have a smile that betrays a love of red wine, coffee and tea, and a tooth line befitting someone who grew up in 70/80s Britain without the money for cosmetic dentistry. I am not an attractive man, is my point. But I have reasonable taste and can wear a suit well. This is the sort of fragrance that elevates the whole thing - it elevates me. I am all of the above, but when I wear this with a nice suit I am the subordinate of nobody. I am the master of my own destiny and king of my own castle. Fine fragrances should do that. Elevate. This is elevation in a bottle. It is a rare and mythical thing that should be treated with respect, but is a true masterpiece of perfumery. Not just for the way it smells but for the way you feel when you smell like that. It is interesting because that opening suggests beast mode performance and sillage that can sink ships. Fascinatingly, what you have here is beast mode skin scent. It projects but not massively and the performance is around 6-7 hours so isnt massive, but the way it sits close to the skin is magical. If you're out with someone who likes to get in close, you'll smell incredible. It is so refined, so classy, so understated. The notes are all there from the opening but it is like a different smell after it dries down. You bear with it, show patience and conquer it and the sense of achievement, or should I say the scent of achievement, is incredible. Three Word Summary - Mighty Green Movement Layering suggestion - Vettii by Agatho to keep it in the Italian family. Outfit suggestion - It is 100% formal - and not black tie formal either. I close my eyes and, reflecting on my wardrobe, think of a nice tailored grey suit, dark brown slip on loafers, a crisp and bright white shirt and no tie, but a subtle little pocket square in dark amber or purple. Think fresh shave and designer sunglasses in dark brown or dark tortoiseshell. Scent - 7/10 Drydown - 10/10 Sillage - 6/10 Bottle / packaging - 10/10 Performance - 7/10 40/50

This is by far my best of the Kemi Blue line. Wow I love this and it makes me only love Xerjoff the more. I remember how I picked this as a sample out of about 10 samples. The more I sprayed the more I loved. I pulled the trigger on a full bottle and now our love is full blown. It's hefty and leaves a presence not like that expensive house that markets skin scents as exceptional. Performance is top notch. Scent is different and not the regular. It tickles my fancy it tickles my nose sweetly. You should enjoy this.

This is incredibly beautiful. Love that spicy caraway and thyme - reminds me so much of Cartier Declaration. The bottles in the K collection are incredible too. So luxurious with a cool gothic architecture feel to them. Will definitely be picking one up in the near future.

Real artistic perfumery.. .green, bitter, spicy, medicinal, sweaty.... U have to appreciate different perfumes, weird perfumes to like this one.

Amazing intoxicating fragrance and is another example of why you cannot always take this site seriously.