Xerjoff Naxos vs Lattafa Khamrah - Perfume Battle Round 94
Round 94 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle puts the longest reign in the tournament up against one of the most talked-about Arabian perfumes of the decade. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos arrives with thirty-nine straight wins. Its challenger is Lattafa Khamrah, the 2022 cinnamon, date and vanilla scent from the Emirati house Lattafa that became a worldwide favourite.
On paper these two are close relatives: both are warm, sweet and spicy, both finish on vanilla and tonka bean, and both are worn by men and women. One is an Italian niche icon, the other is proof that a modest bottle can win a global following. Fragrantica was read on 19 October and Parfumo was read today, so the full five-part scoring formula is in use.
The tale of the tape
| Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos | Lattafa Khamrah | |
|---|---|---|
| House | Xerjoff (Italy) | Lattafa (UAE) |
| Perfumer | Not credited | Not credited |
| Released | 2015 | 2022 |
| Family | Citrus gourmand, honey and tobacco | Amber spicy, cinnamon, dates and vanilla |
| Listed for | Men and women | Men and women |
| Size at AlHimyan | 100 ml | 100 ml |
| Fragrantica rating | 4.49 / 5 (21,516 votes) | 4.21 / 5 (31,164 votes) |
| Parfumo rating | 8.9 / 10 (14,042 ratings) | 7.9 / 10 (4,817 ratings) |
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos: the champion
Naxos belongs to the Xerjoff 1861 collection, dedicated to Sicily. It opens with lavender, bergamot and lemon. The heart brings honey, cinnamon and jasmine sambac over soft cashmere wood, and the dry-down of tobacco, tonka bean and vanilla stays warm and creamy without turning sticky. Parfumo members currently rank it number one among unisex perfumes.
Community scores: Fragrantica 4.49/5 from 21,516 votes. Parfumo: Scent 8.9/10 from 14,042 ratings, Longevity 8.8, Sillage 8.5, Bottle 9.1, Value for money 7.6.
Lattafa Khamrah: the challenger
Khamrah opens hot and bright with cinnamon, nutmeg and bergamot. The heart is where it earns its reputation: sweet dates and praline with a touch of tuberose and Mahonial, a soft floral material. The base is a thick blanket of vanilla, tonka bean, amberwood, benzoin, myrrh and akigalawood. Reviewers often describe it as warm, boozy and cosy, with a dessert-like edge that some compare to baked apple and spice.
Community scores: Fragrantica 4.21/5 from 31,164 votes. Parfumo: Scent 7.9/10 from 4,817 ratings, Longevity 8.4, Sillage 8.2, Bottle 8.1, Value for money 9.2.
Head to head
| Factor | Weight | Naxos | Khamrah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrantica (out of 10) | 35% | 8.98 | 8.42 |
| Parfumo scent | 25% | 8.9 | 7.9 |
| Longevity | 15% | 8.8 | 8.4 |
| Sillage | 10% | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Value | 15% | 7.6 | 9.2 |
| Final score | 8.68 | 8.38 |
This was one of the tightest finishes Naxos has had. Khamrah has more Fragrantica votes than the champion and the best value-for-money rating of any recent challenger, 9.2 against 7.6, which earned it a big lead in that category. Naxos took the other four: a higher scent score on both sites, slightly better longevity and slightly more sillage. The gap in scent consensus on Parfumo, a full point, is what kept the title in Italy.
The verdict
Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, 8.68 to 8.38. That is a 40th straight win, extending the all-time tournament record. The margin was 0.30, and the challenger won one of the five categories (value).
Khamrah loses the round but wins the argument about value. Few perfumes come this close to the champion while costing so much less.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Naxos if you want a refined, golden scent with honey, tobacco and lavender that works at the office, in an evening majlis and at a wedding alike. It is the smoother and more polished of the two.
Choose Khamrah if you love rich cinnamon, dates and vanilla and want a bold, sweet signature without a niche price. It is louder and more gourmand, and it is a strong pick for cooler evenings.
See today's price for Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos and Lattafa Khamrah on their product pages.
How to wear them in the UAE
Both perfumes are warm and sweet, so the cooler months from November to March are their best season. In the summer heat, keep to one or two sprays in the evening or in air conditioning. Khamrah is dense, so one spray on the chest and one on the neck is enough. Naxos layers well over a light oud or a simple musk for evenings out.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Perfume Battle Round 94?
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos won with a score of 8.68 against 8.38 for Lattafa Khamrah.
What does Lattafa Khamrah smell like?
Cinnamon and nutmeg over sweet dates and praline, with a creamy base of vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin and amberwood. It smells warm, sweet and spicy.
Are Naxos and Khamrah similar?
They share a warm, sweet and spicy direction and a vanilla-tonka base. Naxos leans on honey, lavender and tobacco; Khamrah leans on cinnamon, dates and praline.
Which lasts longer, Naxos or Khamrah?
Naxos, by a small margin. Parfumo members rate its longevity 8.8 against 8.4 for Khamrah.
Is Khamrah for men or women?
It is listed for both men and women and is worn as a unisex perfume.
Where can I read about delivery and returns?
See the shipping policy and the refund policy.
Next round
Naxos defends its title again in the next round against a new challenger. Can anyone end the longest reign in Perfume Battle history? Follow the series on the AlHimyan blog.