40 Knots by Xerjoff

It might sound crazy, but seconds after spraying, it reminded me of Viktor & Rolf’s Spicebomb Extreme without even declaring vanilla. As it dries, it becomes more powdery and woody, like pencil shavings, but with a very distinguished character. I struggle to find marine nuances (as many say), but I do notice something slightly salty. A great, high-quality fragrance, though not for every wallet.

It’s my top 2 Xerjoff, even more than Naxos. It’s an exotic and rare scent that I love so much. It opens with green notes I can’t quite pinpoint, woods, lots of salt, and an unknown flower. It inspires luxury, maturity, and commands respect through tranquility. It doesn’t shout like Naxos, but it projects massively. It smells expensive and powerful, like you belong to a rich, sophisticated family. Dries sweet, like soft honey. EXCELLENT: 10/10 scent, 10/10 longevity, 8/10 sillage. Beast mode. I’ll repurchase when I run out.

Been searching for this perfume for a while because salty marine scents usually suit me (I own L’Éclat d’Issey and Black Sea), but luckily I tried a 2ml decant of Niche first. It’s nothing like I expected. I don’t get any marine vibe… the salt only shows up after 15 minutes, but this is 80% wood. It was a bad idea to buy Alexandria II blindly due to the hype; it was a huge mistake. That woody scent in the opening and throughout most of the life is remarkably similar to Alexandria II (both from 2012); they feel like variants of the same fragrance. The ingredient quality is evident, but it evokes old perfumes that border on rancid. The key is the woods. I have woody scents in my collection, but I admit I don’t like how Xerjoff handles wood (for some it’s a virtue, for others… sniff). It has good performance and projection, but it’s a very niche scent; I don’t see it getting compliments or being loved by most at this price point. The presentation is extraordinary, as with all Xerjoff. In summary: if you like Alexandria II, you’ll like this, and vice versa. Not a blind buy. My ratings: Scent 6, Longevity 8, Projection 8, Presentation 10, Total 8.

I’m wearing it now, and yes, it feels like a Xerjoff fragrance. It’s a rich and special scent. Elegant yet suitable for daily wear, dates, or the club. I agree that it has little to do with the listed notes. I don’t smell much marine; instead, it’s more floral with a woody base, which gives it that ‘elegance.’ It’s recommended to try it before buying because it doesn’t match the reviews. It has Xerjoff quality: good longevity, projection, and you can tell it’s niche. What I liked most is its versatility.

Bigfan, I tried it today at El Corte Inglés, and yes, it’s true that the most noticeable thing is those heavy, full-bodied woods.

I bought it after testing a sample and I’m baffled: the sample was more accurate than the description. It smells like an upscale restaurant with a sea breeze, balanced and sophisticated, perfect for a man over 30. I loved it. But once I opened the bottle, it’s a different story: heavy woods, amber sweetness, a salty touch, and nothing else. I’m surprised some people think it smells like baby powder for summer. Maybe I need to mature, but the difference is extreme. It seems no one agrees on how it actually smells. It’s the most polarizing fragrance I’ve ever seen.

Honestly, it’s a pleasant, high-quality, and very versatile scent, perfect for a Mediterranean spring or autumn. It’s fresh and woody, with that current Italian style that’s unmatched. It evokes the coast, not the sea; the marine note is subtle and only noticeable at first. It could be a great perfume, but it’s not an olfactory bomb. It won’t last three days with a single spray, but about 8 hours with five or six, with moderate projection. I always recommend testing niche on skin before buying and not trusting decants from brands like Xerjoff unless you buy them directly. I tested it in a boutique and then the decant: I hesitated at first, but the problem was the sample. The 40knots I bought smells exactly like the store tester, not like the decant.

It reminds me of vintage perfumes, soapy and very woody. I don’t believe it’s worth the exorbitant price at all. After an hour of dry down, it constantly smells old and modern, ending with subtle woods that fade away. I perceive it as very synthetic. The longevity is good. If someone is looking for a similar scent to Alexandria II, in my case, I don’t find it at all.

Personally, I don’t recognize most of the declared notes. Maybe my sense of smell isn’t as developed or refined as they say. The opening smells like rose and talc, a familiar scent, which then shifts to woody tones and something smoky or incense-like. I don’t see it as fresh, modern, or youthful. It’s similar to the evolution of Alexandria II, as mentioned. Clearly, it’s not for me.

It’s the marine sibling of Alexandria II. Same wood and talc blend, but this time with an added salty air.

The first impression was good. It opens with certain marine touches before drying down to something sweet, not harsh. The thread is light woods that are always present. Longevity is around 9 hours on skin, and projection wasn’t huge, though I used few sprays. The only disappointing thing is the price; it should cost 40% less. But on the other hand, it seems that in life these days, what’s stylish is showing off.

One spray lasted from Friday until today, Monday at 12:25, and it will surely last all day. That’s three days, four showers, soap, creams… incredible, it just won’t leave my body.

Very versatile, but if you overdo the sprays, it becomes too much. I don’t like the opening, but once it settles, it’s amazing. It’s serious, mature, elegant, and classy. Performance is phenomenal: over ten hours of longevity and a heavy trail, especially if you wear it during the day.

40 Knots is a versatile woody fragrance suitable for almost any season and time of day. It’s not a refreshing aquatic scent, but rather the smell of someone polishing the wood of a beached boat with quality wax. Lasts 10-12 hours easily. It’s unisex-leaning masculine for men over 30. If you’re looking for the sea, try Aqua di Sale; if you want something fun for the beach, go with Torino 21 or Nio. If you want something elegant and versatile, 40 Knots is the choice.

40 Knots has three phases: salty woods, then just woods, and finally cedar. It’s simple and pricey, but I loved it. Well-executed; it smells like light yacht wood with a Mediterranean sky base. I wish the marine part lasted longer and it didn’t resemble Naxos so much. It’s a fragrance you put on and know you look good in. Works for everything, classy, long-lasting, and doesn’t cross the line. You won’t get bored of it. Pros: Versatility, performance. Cons: Simplicity, price. Scent: 7.8, Longevity: 8.4, Projection: 7.5, Emotional: No, Originality: 6. Price: 290€/100ml. Recommended depending on your budget.