Xerjoff Naxos vs Penhaligon's Artemisia - Perfume Battle Round 100
Round 100 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle is a milestone, and it brings a very different kind of challenger. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos arrives with forty-five straight wins, the longest reign in tournament history. Facing it is Penhaligon's Artemisia, a soft and powdery floral from the historic London house, launched in 2002 and composed by Dominique Bouley.
This is a contrast of styles. Naxos is warm, honeyed and smoky, a gourmand worn by men and women alike. Artemisia is green, airy and gentle, a feminine floral built on nectarine, violet, jasmine tea and a creamy vanilla-sandalwood base. Fragrantica blocked automated reading again today, so this round is scored on Parfumo community data only, with the Parfumo scent score carrying the combined 60% weight that Fragrantica and Parfumo normally share.
The tale of the tape
| Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos | Penhaligon's Artemisia | |
|---|---|---|
| House | Xerjoff (Italy) | Penhaligon's (London) |
| Perfumer | Not credited | Dominique Bouley |
| Released | 2015 | 2002 |
| Family | Sweet spicy gourmand, honey and tobacco | Floral powdery, green and fresh |
| Listed for | Men and women | Women |
| Parfumo scent rating | 8.9 / 10 (14,113 ratings) | 7.5 / 10 (483 ratings) |
| Parfumo ranking | Number 1 in unisex perfume | Number 326 in women's perfume |
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos: the champion
Naxos belongs to the Xerjoff 1861 collection, a tribute to Sicily. It opens with lavender, bergamot, lemon and a thread of Omani frankincense. 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 lists its main accords as sweet, spicy, gourmand, creamy and citrus, and its members still rank it number one among all unisex perfumes.
Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 8.9/10 from 14,113 ratings, Longevity 8.8, Sillage 8.5, Bottle 9.1, Value for money 7.6.
Penhaligon's Artemisia: the challenger
Artemisia was created by Dominique Bouley for Penhaligon's and released in 2002. Parfumo lists its top notes as green leaves and nectarine, a heart of lily of the valley, violet, green apple, jasmine tea and vanilla, and a base of musk, oakmoss, sandalwood, vanilla and amber. Its main accords are floral, powdery, green, fresh and sweet. On skin it reads as a clean, softly fruity floral with a tea-like transparency, settling into a powdery, musky vanilla that feels elegant rather than loud. It is the kind of scent people describe as comforting and graceful.
Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 7.5/10 from 483 ratings, Longevity 6.7, Sillage 6.0, Bottle 8.3, Value for money 6.3.
Head to head
| Factor | Weight | Naxos | Artemisia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfumo scent (out of 10) | 60% | 8.9 | 7.5 |
| Longevity (Parfumo) | 15% | 8.8 | 6.7 |
| Sillage (Parfumo) | 10% | 8.5 | 6.0 |
| Value for money (Parfumo) | 15% | 7.6 | 6.3 |
| Final score | Total | 8.65 | 7.05 |
Naxos leads in every category. The scent gap is 1.4 points, and the performance gaps are even wider: Parfumo members rate Naxos 2.1 points higher for longevity and 2.5 points higher for sillage. That is no surprise, because a honey and tobacco gourmand is built to project, while Artemisia is designed to stay close and soft.
The verdict
Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, 8.65 to 7.05. The margin of 1.60 makes this one of the clearer wins of the reign. Naxos celebrates Round 100 with forty-six straight wins, extending its own all-time record. Artemisia is a lovely, wearable floral with a loyal following, but the community rates the Naxos composition higher, and on longevity and projection the two are not in the same league.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Naxos if you want a refined, honeyed and smoky scent that leaves a warm trail and suits formal wear, cool evenings and majlis gatherings. It is the richer and more noticeable of the two, and it works for men and women.
Choose Artemisia if you prefer soft, clean florals. Its nectarine, violet and jasmine tea feel fresh and polished, it is easy to wear to the office or daytime visits, and it suits anyone who wants a scent that is noticed up close rather than across the room. It also makes a thoughtful gift for someone who loves gentle, powdery perfumes.
Both have their own pages on alhimyan.com. Open each product page to see today's price for Naxos and see today's price for Artemisia.
How to wear them in the UAE
Naxos is happiest from October to March. Its honey and tobacco can feel heavy in midday summer heat, so in warmer months keep it for air-conditioned evenings and apply two or three sprays to the chest and neck. Artemisia is the opposite: its green and fruity opening feels fresh in warm weather, which makes it a good daytime choice for most of the year. Because it sits close to the skin, spray it on pulse points and lightly on clothing to help it last through the day.
Layering tip: Naxos sits well over a plain oud or amber oil for a richer evening trail. Artemisia pairs naturally with a white musk or soft rose oil, which adds depth and staying power without hiding its floral character.
Frequently asked questions
Who created Penhaligon's Artemisia?
Parfumo credits perfumer Dominique Bouley. The fragrance was released in 2002.
Is Artemisia a women's perfume?
Parfumo lists it for women. Naxos is listed for women and men.
Which smells sweeter?
Naxos. Its honey, tonka bean and vanilla make it a gourmand. Artemisia has a soft vanilla base too, but it reads as a fresh, powdery floral rather than a sweet one.
Which lasts longer?
Parfumo members rate Naxos much higher for longevity, 8.8 against 6.7 for Artemisia. Results on your own skin will vary with climate and how much you apply.
Why are there no Fragrantica scores this round?
Fragrantica blocked automated reading when this article was prepared. Rather than guess, we scored the round on Parfumo data only and gave its scent score the combined 60% weight.
How do delivery and returns work?
Please read our shipping policy and refund policy for the current details.
Next round
One hundred rounds in, Naxos goes for win number forty-seven in Round 101. Will a challenger ever end the longest reign in tournament history? Follow every round on the AlHimyan blog.