Xeryus by Givenchy

For those of us who lived through the 80s, Xeryus reminds us of those spray deodorants trying to copy the fougères of the time, with little success and at the cost of the ozone layer. It smells a bit like that, but with undeniable quality ingredients. It’s a classic fougère that at first seems to offer nothing new. But if you give it time, you find a central accord of conifers, slightly mentholated and sweetened by flowers, where the clove is noticeable. All this is framed in a powdery sensation. As it dries, it reveals an elegant leather that was there all along, providing cleanliness, but now, in the last hours, it shows a classic sobriety that makes it an absolute reference of the 80s. Smelling vintage Xeryus is impressive for its perfection and balance; it’s an incredibly complex perfume you have to wear several times to understand it in its full dimension.

Another one of my favorites. What more can I say about this delight that previous reviewers haven’t said? One of the best classic fougères. I love it so much I have three formats: the black one with blue reflections, the nearly square bottle with a black sticker, and the last Les Parfums Mytiques edition with a beautiful bottle but a silver sticker that leaves much to be desired. I discovered it in the early 2000s and it’s been with me until today. It’s been discontinued, though you can still find it with some ease. It’s a beautiful fougère with all its bells and whistles, and the reformulations have treated it well. The only thing is that the newer versions have less depth due to the reduction of moss and more aromatic herbs, gaining in “brightness” and losing in “darkness.” It’s a very masculine, woody, and herbal perfume, making no concessions to sweetness; it’s hard, mature, and bold, standing out without losing elegance and distinction, avoiding flattery. It has very good longevity, lasting about 9-10 hours on me, projecting quite a bit for about 4 hours, and lingering minimally for two more. It’s a perfume from before, something you put on in the morning and go home to at night still wrapped in its bubble. A classic from another era that every perfume lover should try: a true work of art.

Xeryus from the 80s, a great fragrance, with nice anecdotes lived alongside this great friend. I’ve been looking for this giant of perfumery without any results. Among the kind of forum users, a huge favor if anyone could recommend a site or store where to get it. Thanks in advance and greetings.

I have the less vintage version (2009 batch). At first I thought it was already worn out, since I didn’t remember the scent, but quickly that balsamic and intense green-herbal part came, packed and spiced. After two hours on skin, it leaves an aroma like incense, herbal patchouli, and something talc-like, transporting me to the 80s and producing anemoia. It’s pleasant, for a person with a serious and mature profile; I imagine someone over 35, like an accountant or notary, wearing this elegant and discreet but affable fragrance. If you like Chanel’s Pour Monsieur or similar, this will definitely suit you. It’s worth mentioning that it doesn’t project to the four winds, but it persists on skin for more than 10 hours, referring to batches from around 2010.

Books have been written and hundreds of films made about first love, and a perfume has also been made about it, Xeryus. I will write in the past tense because my experience with this wonder dates back to its market launch. It was my first “serious” perfume and accompanied my first years of “seriousness,” my exit from adolescence, and my first love. Many compare it to Drakkar Noir, which in my country had its clone and was used by everyone, from a 13-year-old teenager to a 90-year-old gentleman. I did too, but when I crossed paths with a futuristic bottle, petrol blue with iridescence, golden typography, and a mythical name (thanks to the Mythique), with a much more complex aroma than Drakkar/Colbert Noir, I understood what “the elders” used to say when talking about Paco Rabanne, Dior, Cartier… this was a real perfume. We met one summer on vacation; he was fascinated by my fragrance and I by his. In the countryside, his was glory, and in the city, mine provoked pure pleasure. We were separated by the start of classes and distance. We met again during winter vacation in a coastal city; once again, the scents accompanied every emotion; Xeryus was suitable for all types of weather but in the city and better at night. If there had been a softer version, it would have worked perfectly in the countryside too; I suppose the mix of lavender, clove, and vetiver gave it a “formal” touch that didn’t fit outside the city. It was a young, daring, sexy fragrance… everything worked perfectly. So much so that nine years later, in another era of perfumery, JPG almost reformulated it with Le Male, passing through Photo de Lagerfeld first. We continued for another year and a half until his family returned to their country and ours ended; not so my love for this perfume (and his) and my unconscious search for something similar throughout the years. I know that regarding love, most pursue the same search, I don’t. Update 8/16/22: I managed to get a 100 ml bottle with more than half the content of the original version, it’s still a wonder.

I especially enjoy it on days over 30 degrees; it’s super refreshing with notes of lime, lavender, and tarragon. The longevity and projection are insane. For me, it’s the best summer option in the Southern Hemisphere.

I bought this out of boredom with warm notes and excessive bergamot in other perfumes. I was looking for lavender and violets in a men’s scent, and thanks to the notes search, I found this gem at a great price. Thanks to the site for making it easy to find what I didn’t even know existed. A lime and lavender opening that combines perfectly and refreshes. Heart of tarragon and sandalwood. Base of amber, cedar, and vetiver. Surprisingly long-lasting for an EDT. Sillage that fills the office without overwhelming. Lots of compliments for the pleasant aroma. If you like lavender and fresh floral accords, you’ll love it. Very different from today’s trends, it stands out with elegance. Ideal for 30+ and any occasion.

Xeryus is a super strange and unique fragrance. It doesn’t ask for anything from ultra-expensive niche scents that aren’t worth it. If you can still find it vintage, grab it before prices go up. I have the 25ml bottle and will probably get the 100ml next. It’s a well-crafted blend of pine, fougère, and carnation. Fresh with pronounced lavender, but it mixes elements of Kouros, Drakkar Noir, and Égoïste, leaning more herbaceous. Long-lasting with a discrete but well-executed trail, ostentatious yet possessing magical masculinity. It’s for someone sensual, cultured, provocative, and gallant. Not for TikTok millennials or fans of Bleu de Sauvage, Aventus, or La Nuit, nor for those who love Hollister or Abercrombie air fresheners. 9.5/10.

Givenchy arrived a bit late to the 80s fougère party, with rivals like Kouros, Ebene, Drakkar Noir, and others. However, Xeryus is much more refined than them all. It’s the best soapy fragrance from the old school. Totally versatile. What joy to smell the pine sap, aromatic lavender, delicate carnation, bitter moss, and sweet amber. There’s even a slight animal touch that makes it wonderful. 10/10.

Yesterday I bought Xeryus in a 25ml presentation, a vintage version from the early 90s. Upon application, you notice green, vegetable, and organic notes, with lavender and nutmeg (it seems to also have an unripe black plum fruity touch); the citrus notes aren’t very perceptible. After half an hour, carnation, rose, and geranium appear, giving a earthy floral sensation boosted by oakmoss, fern, and vetiver. Hours later, leather and amber give it a creamy, balsamic touch, added to spicy woods of cedar and sandalwood that set it apart from the earthy ferns of the 80s. It has an exquisite semi-gothic herbal floral aroma that evokes cold nights in the woods, like Encre Noire. Good longevity (6-7 hours) and moderate projection. Unlike the 80s, it smells very clean and fresh, giving the impression of being ahead of its time; I feel more of the 90s in it, and it’s easy to wear today. Its potential unfolds better at night in less dynamic environments than in clubs. Score: Fragrance 10/10, Longevity 8/10, Projection 8/10, Sillage 9/10, Versatility 8/10. Total 8.6/10.

I’m in a season where I’m intrigued by 80s aromas. Maybe life moves so fast that going back helps us understand ourselves better. Xeryus is a pleasant composition that unites floral notes, aromatic herbs, and amber, managing to be sweet and soft with a dark touch. It projects a sophisticated air. I notice it’s well-made; it’s a fragrance everyone should rediscover, tremendously pleasant and versatile, not aggressive, and with decent longevity. It reminds me of a good friend who wore it in the early 90s, and now, at forty-something, he looks elegant, powerful, and refined. His favorite fragrance evolved with him.

Xeryus was going to be called Keryus, but at launch they changed the K to a prettier X so it wouldn’t remind too much of Kouros. Despite being a men’s scent, it has little to do with Kouros; it’s more classic and rooted in the fern tradition, without disregarding woods. If Kouros is a newly anointed Greek warrior before battle, Xeryus is a suited gentleman but rough, with a mustache and a fondness for whisky and cigarettes. The opening is very herbal with green fruity notes (smelling a fruit on the tree), with a delicious amber seeping in gradually that draws a sweet but not cloying atmosphere. Subtle, wonderful, with a potent effect of autumn leaves stirred by a playful wind. Lavender reigns and is enriched with woody notes of oakmoss and a slight floral touch. It bears similarity to fresh ferns like Drakkar Noir and Gucci Nobile, but with a difference: the notes aren’t as defined; Xeryus shatters the crystal. A woody, clean, and refreshing aroma, but it blurs the contours, playing with the wall of oriental ferns from the era. It doesn’t result in being too mature or sporty; it dances on a perfect balance. I don’t know if it’s a masterpiece, but it’s damn good. Projection is non-invasive but considerable: it accompanies you everywhere. Longevity is phenomenal. If you like this style, you’ll never want to part with the bottle. Speaking of bottles: the one I have is the one in the image. Now it’s sold in another bottle under the name ‘Les parfumes mytiques’. I’ve read there are no differences, but I can’t guarantee it. Anyway, if you’re a fan of Drakkar Noir, Francesco Smalto, or Lomani, you won’t miss it.

Strong lavender opening with green and citrus notes in the second phase. The heart features tarragon and cilantro, closing with a woody finale loaded with green notes and vetiver. It reminded me of Xeryus Rouge (I tested it in deodorant years ago), perhaps due to shared tarragon, cedar, sandalwood, and musk. In my opinion, the lavender and citrus in the dry-down don’t make it relevant today. Less bold than the discontinued Rouge, though large bottles are still sold (I have a 4ml mini). Good longevity and a heavy trail initially. Best for winter/autumn, evening over day, and not for the young.