Wore another sample today, Forbidden Temptation from Vivamor. It’s been awhile since I sprayed something I instantly really liked a fragrance upon spraying. This is a great fragrance for this time of year Top: plum, French Cognac Heart: Brazilian Tonka Bean, cinnamon, tobacco Base: Haitian Vetiver, amber, Madagascan Vanilla I put this on at 8:00am and I can still smell it. Hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

XERJOFF XJ 1861 NAXOS Going Beyond the Notes: Understanding the Materials Behind the Fragrance Today, we're taking a closer look at one of the most recognizable fragrances in the niche perfume world: Xerjoff Naxos. Naxos is part of Xerjoff's XJ 1861 collection, inspired by Italy and its rich cultural heritage. It brings together aromatic freshness, honeyed sweetness, warm spices, and tobacco. But for this Perfumer's Edition, we're going beyond how the fragrance smells and exploring the raw materials Xerjoff discloses, their odor profiles, their functions in perfumery, and how the remaining accords might be constructed. THE OFFICIAL NOTE BREAKDOWN Top: Lemon, Bergamot, Lavender, Incense from Oman Heart: Jasmine Sambac, Honey, Cinnamon, Cashmere Base: Vanilla, Tobacco Leaf, Tonka Bean Now, let's get into the chemistry behind the fragrance. THE KNOWN RAW MATERIALS Unlike simply reading the note pyramid, we can examine Xerjoff's published ingredient declaration, which identifies a number of actual botanical materials and aromatic compounds. 1. Linalool: Smell: Fresh, floral, lavender-like, slightly citrusy and woody. Purpose: Frequently used to build lavender and aromatic floral accords. It creates freshness, contributes floral lift, and helps connect citrus notes with the floral heart. 2. Linalyl Acetate Smell: Sweet, clean, lavender-like, slightly bergamot-like, and fruity. Purpose: One of the characteristic odor compounds associated with lavender. It softens herbal sharpness and contributes a smooth, fresh aromatic quality. 3. Coumarin Smell: Sweet freshly cut hay, tonka bean, almond-like warmth, and subtle vanilla. Purpose: A foundational material in many fougère fragrances. It adds sweetness, warmth, and a distinctive hay-like character. It can help bridge lavender, tobacco, and gourmand accords. 4. Vanillin Smell: Sweet, creamy, familiar vanilla with warm balsamic nuances. Purpose: Adds recognizable vanilla sweetness, warmth, and body. It can soften harsher woody or tobacco-like effects and enrich gourmand compositions.