Xerjoff
Alexandria II

2012

PERFUMER
Chris Maurice

Rosewood
Lavender
Cinnamon
Apple

Rose
Cedarwood
lily-of-the-valley

Laotian Oud
Sandalwood
Amber
Vanilla
Musk

‘Inspired by the ancient Arabian art of perfumery, Alexandria II is a scent steeped in history and rich culture. Alexandria II Xerjoff opens with fruity hints of apple that meet floral lavender and rose wood, it leads to a classically oriental heart of cedar wood, lily-of-the-valley and Bulgarian rose. Inspired by the thousand year old capital city, Alexandria II Xerjoff has warming base notes of amber, sandalwood and precious Laotian oud.’ – Xerjoff

I’ve heard time and time again that Alexandria II is the Xerjoff and that it’s a must try. When I finally did, I could appreciate it, but in the couple of wears that I’ve had so far, I unfortunately didn’t come close to loving it as much as nearly everyone else seems to do. Side note; I think the Alexandria II Anniversary release from 2024 is very solid and worth trying if you love the DNA.

Alexandria II opens with a strong woody/oudy scent, slightly barnyardy, but nothing too crazy. It quickly mixes with the other notes and overall the entire composition is really smooth, which is one of the key features for this fragrance. For a moment I thought it would be another rose-oud fragrance, but that’s not the case. There is rose, but it’s subtle and it’s not as prominent as the lavender, the sandalwood and the cinnamon. I honestly feel like it’s the cinnamon that keeps me from loving the scent profile here.

I think the combination of the cinnamon, the lavender and the musk creates a bit of a sweet talcum powder scent. Not unlike Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, but dirtier and darker. It’s almost peppery, and there’s something in the DNA that clearly reminds me of the Armani Code DNA (without the freshness and with added lavender).

Overall, it’s not bad, but as I mentioned, I don’t love it. I appreciate it, because despite the comparisons I made, in its entirety it is a unique scent and it’s blended exquisitely. Alexandria II just isn’t for me.