Java Blossom

I never cared too much about Xerjoff and their subsidiaries probably because the fanfare never quite seemed to match my own expectation. Nothing in particular from across their product range tickled my fancy as I felt that the brand's language wasn't really speaking to me. And in terms of their attar offerings I had experienced too many authentic Arab oils and mukhallats to be truly bothered. Alas, with all of that said, something about Java Blossom did intrigue me; maybe it was the thought (or hope) of finding the distillate of the most exotic and sensual orchid blossoms from Far Eastern rain forests oozing their beguiling nectar into a dark and strangely sticky oudy concoction. Well, and Java Blossom does indeed turn floral in its heart half way through its life some 5 to 6 hours in - but the tuberose is much more muted than I had hoped for; especially in combination with a woody, earthy and slightly blue cheesy oud that got me excited that this attar could make a real difference. On the one hand the opening of Java Blossom reminds me a little of a tamed Al Shomoukh (by Amouage, and whose oud is of Hindi origin, too) even though the Omani composition opens much more fiercely and pungently animalic owing to a great oud/ambergris duality with a subdued vetiver appearing in the later stages. There are also shades I encountered later in Lutens' Veilleur de Nuit - dark, cacao-earthy and grassy-oily vetiver as the mukhallat extends its spicy, earthy and floral facets (again, sans the pronounced animalics). The orange blossom provides mostly bitterness and it is at this point that there is the merest whiff of a slightly sweetened fleshy tuberose if I hallucinate just vividly enough, which combines beautifully with the smokiness present. Curiously Java Blossom now feels very much like some South American Arriba cacao pod (not a bad thing, mind) - and one can't help but conjure up a silly association with Columbus who was heading West in an attempt to reach the promises and delights of India (and the East Indias including Indonesia) yet got stuck midway through his travels in the West Indies instead (well, Ecuador isn't exactly WI geographically nor does Java Blossom really explore new ground, but there you go). So all in all not excatly what it says on the tin but what one gets is a solid, pleasant green and smokey vetiver-oud with an emphasis on spicy rooty woodiness with delicate hints of floralcy. Could have been so much more with a little attention to detail but it is satisfactorily rewarding and appears to work best during damp Summer nights.

(English) “La quintessenza delle essenze”... A surreal mirage of oriental elements, rich in contrasts, dreamlike in its serenity. XJ Oud Java Blossom draws exquisite florals, vetiver and oud together to create an utterly original creation. The scent starts on a green indolic tuberose contrasted by the creamy sweetness of orange blossom, then moves into a luminous heart of sandalwood and incense, evoking primal secrets and ancient traditions. As the base emerges, crowning the majestic attar in a powerful foundation formed by a crepuscular fusion of agarwood and vetiver, capturing the ultimate equilibrium of alchemy. Java Blossom is an apt testament to nature’s virgin treasures where magic and mystery still reign. (Español) “La quintessenza delle essenze” ... Un espejismo surrealista de elementos orientales, rico en contrastes, onírico en su serenidad. XJ Oud Java Blossom dibuja flores exquisitas, vetiver y oud juntos para crear una creación absolutamente original. La fragancia comienza con un nardo indólico verde contrastado con la dulzura cremosa de la flor de azahar, luego pasa a un corazón luminoso de sándalo e incienso, evocando secretos primarios y tradiciones ancestrales. A medida que emerge la fase final, coronando el majestuoso attar en una base poderosa formada por una fusión crepuscular de madera de agar y vetiver, capturando el equilibrio máximo de la alquimia. Java Blossom es un testimonio adecuado de los tesoros vírgenes de la naturaleza donde aún reinan la magia y el misterio.

Another amazing Attar from Xerjoff and the amazing Chris Maurice! This one is as much a vetiver scent as an oud scent and has exotic floral notes and citrus to boot. While I have and love Warda Al Oud and Black Sukar, this one veers more in the direction of something like Kilian Dark Lord in so far as it is a vetiver dominant scent softened by florals, yet is more smooth, complex and elegant, and also brighter than Dark Lord, making it suitable for hotter weather. Both are great scents but Dark Lord makes me feel like a savage who has lived in the forest for years suddenly donning a Tux to attend a Gala event in his honour. Java Blossom, on the other hand, gives the sense of being in a bright exotic forest in the tropics where you can smell the soil, the flowers, the fruits, and the leaves. Classy, exotic, austere, and uplifting all at the same time. A little chocolate in the dry down from the patchouli is also a plus. The vetiver also seems almost candied, a lot like the green notes in Xerjoff Fiero. A great addition to anyone's collection!

Beautiful Oriental chypre centered around a lovely natural vetiver note. The perfume opens on a citrusy bergamot note and moves to a brief incense heart which has slight hints of tuberose and orange flower. The perfume settles very soon into its lovely powdery vetiver base which is enhanced by addition of slight oud and sandalwood. Masculine leaning with moderate sillage and projection and very good longevity, the scent is a transport to a tropical paradise. Enjoy!

Strangest perfume I've come across in viscosity terms... it's as thick as treacle!!! That's a bit of an exaggeration actually but even for pure perfume or extrait it's very oily and has a wonderful, rich maple syrup colour to it. I expected it to be massively potent and but the smell itself is actually quite reserved. When you apply to the skin it has a very oily consistency and DOESN'T dry down! I was sick of waiting so I committed a cardinal sin and rubbed it in slightly. I only applied a very conservative amount but I honestly don't think it's particularly strong just due to it's nature, a kind of exotic woody/floral scent. I honestly thought this contained some crazy rare orchid or something it certainly gives that impression. The main accord to me is a white blossom and tuberose smell with lots of fruitiness in the top notes which give it a lush exoticness. I'm in two minds while it's not offensive It doesn't tickle my fancy either. There's something lovely about it but then it's ruined by the floral notes being a bit flat. I'll try it again soon but my take was...'meh it's okay.