XerJoff
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Bergamot and neroli detonate with surprising force, but there's immediate textural complexity from pink pepper's gentle fizz and the warm, almost creamy spice of cardamom. Within minutes, nutmeg's slightly dusty sweetness appears, giving the citrus an almost gourmand quality without tipping into overtly edible territory.
The green accord asserts itself completely, transforming this from bright citrus into something altogether more contemplative—jasmine petals scattered across fresh-cut leaves, with that cardamom now acting as an aromatic spine. The citrus hasn't vanished but rather folded itself into the green notes, creating the impression of an entire flowering plant rather than extracted oils.
Vetiver's earthy-citric character dominates, supported by gaiac wood's faintly medicinal smokiness and cedar's quiet persistence. The amber creates a soft-focus effect around the woods, never sweet but gently resinous, like standing near sun-warmed bark hours after the morning's humidity has burned off.
Nio is XerJoff's meditation on light—specifically, that particular quality of Mediterranean morning sunlight filtering through citrus groves whilst the dew still clings to leaves. Jacques Flori has orchestrated something remarkably translucent here, beginning with a bergamot-neroli duet that feels less like a typical cologne splash and more like standing beneath a flowering bitter orange tree with fruit still clinging to its branches. The pink pepper adds a subtle effervescence rather than outright heat, whilst cardamom and nutmeg provide a resinous whisper that prevents the opening from veering into squeaky-clean territory.
What distinguishes Nio from the legions of citrus-woods fragrances is its utterly convincing green heart. This isn't the marine-fresh "green" of synthetic advertising—it's the chlorophyll-rich scent of jasmine stems and leaves crushed between fingers, still attached to their blooms. The jasmine itself remains sheer, more white petals glimpsed through foliage than full-throated indolic drama. As the citrus recedes, that cardamom from the opening begins threading through the composition more insistently, creating an aromatic bridge to the base.
Add fragrances to your collection and unlock your personalised scent DNA, note map, and shareable identity card.
3.9/5 (288)