Unisex Perfumes

XJ 1861 Naxos by Xerjoff is a Citrus Gourmand fragrance for women and men. XJ 1861 Naxos was launched in 2015. Top notes are Lavender, Bergamot and Lemon; middle notes are Honey, Cinnamon, Cashmeran and Jasmine Sambac; base notes are Tobacco Leaf, Vanilla and Tonka Bean. 

Part of the 1861 collection celebrating the unification of Italy, Naxos is an indulgent olfactory tribute to the island of Sicily. An island home to immeasurable natural beauty, immense cultural significance and its own unique form of chaos. A place enriched by the influence of the numerous civilisations who passed through it over the centuries.Naxos is a rich, ornate fragrance that encapsulates the heat of the sun, the beautiful diversity of Sicily's extraordinary architecture and the feeling one experiences when looking out at the island’s impossibly blue waters, all at once. 

Imperial by Boadicea the Victorious is a Oriental Woody fragrance for women and men. Imperial was launched in 2012. The nose behind this fragrance is Christian Provenzano. Top notes are Brazilian Rosewood, Lavender, Birch and Angelica; middle notes are Rose, Geranium, Freesia and Jasmine; base notes are Agarwood (Oud), Guaiac Wood, Labdanum, Leather, Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Olibanum, Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha and Musk.

The mood of the word imperial, also a synonym for magnificent and majestic, echoes through the perfumes and nomenclature of Boadicea. Relating to and of empires, the imperial family of an emperor, imperious, meaning command and authority. 

It conjures up a certain palatial hauteur and exclusivity. Imperial has an opening salvo of sherbet woods and lavender polish on old school desks, while birch adds a silken fermented facet. 

The all-important angelica explodes across the mix imparting a medicinal vibe that surprises the senses after the voluptuous woody opening. Far from being jarring, the angelica adds an oddly comforting cleanliness and the safety of a squeaky disinfection. Angelica has been used to flavour gin forever and is a key ingredient in Chartreuse, the unique green liqueur made exclusively by Carthusian monks. 

Imperial has a similar liqueur-like pungency, sweet, spicy, herbaceous. The heart notes of rose, geranium, freesia and jasmine swell under the aegis of the opening notes, the geranium/rose duo in particular, softening the clinical boom of angelica. 

The birch develops a tarred smokiness as the substantial base begins to expand and define the drydown. The bold Boadicea oud is singed with guaiac wood, frankincense and the inky mentholic leather of Cypriol. The sticky resin of labdanum further enhances the leather while patchouli and amber varnish the fumes. The base notes are expansive and contrast rigorously with the bouquet heart of flowers and herbal astringency of the top notes. 

Imperial holds itself with a certain pomposity, such is its big impact, but it becomes beautifully accessible and moreish as the three layers of ingredients have coalesced. Imperial, perfume of the highest order