XERJOFF
PIKOVAYA DAMA

2014

PERFUMER
Chris Maurice

Aldehydes
Neroli
Bergamot
Lemon
Rose

Iris
Incense
Coriander
Nutmeg
Cedarwood

Vanilla
Sandalwood
Patchouli
musk

‘Pikovaya Dama tells the story of an iconic Russian novel written in the 19th century by Aleksandr Pushkin. Entitled The Queen of Spades, the novel plays a key role in the history of the country and serves as the inspiration for this scent. Opening with top notes of Bergamot and neroli, the heart of Pikovaya Dama Xerjoff is a powdery accord of Turkish iris, coriander and Moroccan Cedarwood. Base notes of patchouli, musk and bourbon vanilla provide a warming comfort that reveals itself on the skin as time goes by.’ – Xerjoff

Pikovaya Dama is one of the most interesting Xerjoff releases they ever created. I sampled the 2018 re-release; I haven’t compared it to the 2014 square bottle one, which I assume is similar.

It opens sharp, with a green undertone. Aldehydes are very prominent, neroli, coriander and nutmeg as well. It’s combined with this smoky dry incense and iris combination. The sweetness is very subtle and comes across as smelling the outside of a hazelnut to me. It smells clean and dirty at the same time.

A soapy linen vibe, but also a hint of green, sweet, nutty, spicy and a slightly burnt element to my nose; a lot. It’s not a scent I’m fully comfortable with, but I appreciate it nonetheless.