Xerjoff Naxos vs Amouage Guidance - Perfume Battle Round 93
Round 93 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle sends a modern Amouage against the longest reign in the tournament. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos arrives with thirty-eight straight wins. Its challenger is Amouage Guidance, the 2023 creation by Quentin Bisch that reworks the famous Amouage trio of rose, frankincense and ambergris with pear and hazelnut.
This is honey and tobacco against creamy hazelnut, rose and sandalwood. Naxos is an Italian niche icon with a golden, warm character. Guidance is the newest big name from the Omani house, a soft and sweet floral that many people call its most addictive launch in years, and also its most debated. Both Fragrantica and Parfumo were read today, so the full five-part scoring formula is in use.
The tale of the tape
| Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos | Amouage Guidance | |
|---|---|---|
| House | Xerjoff (Italy) | Amouage (Oman) |
| Perfumer | Not credited | Quentin Bisch |
| Released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Family | Citrus gourmand, honey and tobacco | Floral fruity, hazelnut, rose and sandalwood |
| Listed for | Men and women | Men and women |
| Size at AlHimyan | 100 ml | 100 ml |
| Fragrantica rating | 4.49 / 5 (21,394 votes) | 3.78 / 5 (8,571 votes) |
| Parfumo rating | 8.9 / 10 (14,003 ratings) | 7.7 / 10 (1,292 ratings) |
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos: the champion
Naxos belongs to the Xerjoff 1861 collection, created for the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and 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. It remains one of the highest-rated perfumes on both Fragrantica and Parfumo.
Community scores: Fragrantica 4.49/5 from 21,394 votes. Parfumo: Scent 8.9/10 from 14,003 ratings, Longevity 8.8, Sillage 8.5, Bottle 9.1, Value for money 7.6.
Amouage Guidance: the challenger
Guidance was built as a fresh take on the three materials that made Amouage famous: rose, frankincense and ambergris. Quentin Bisch opens it with juicy pear, roasted hazelnut and a light touch of olibanum. The heart is a soft floral of osmanthus, rose, saffron and jasmine sambac, and the base settles into creamy sandalwood, vanilla, akigalawood, ambergris and labdanum. On skin it reads sweet, smooth and slightly powdery, with the hazelnut often the first thing people notice.
Community scores: Fragrantica 3.78/5 from 8,571 votes. Parfumo: Scent 7.7/10 from 1,292 ratings, Longevity 9.1, Sillage 8.7, Bottle 8.7, Value for money 6.3.
Head to head
| Factor | Weight | Naxos | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrantica (out of 10) | 35% | 8.98 | 7.56 |
| Parfumo scent | 25% | 8.9 | 7.7 |
| Longevity | 15% | 8.8 | 9.1 |
| Sillage | 10% | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| Value | 15% | 7.6 | 6.3 |
| Final score | 8.68 | 7.75 |
Guidance did something few recent challengers managed: it beat Naxos on performance. Parfumo members rate its longevity 9.1 against 8.8, and its sillage 8.7 against 8.5. This is a perfume that lasts all day and leaves a clear trail. The gap came from scent consensus and value. Guidance divides opinion, some love the sweet hazelnut and rose, others find it too sweet, and that shows in its Fragrantica score. Its higher price also pulls its value-for-money rating down to 6.3.
The verdict
Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, 8.68 to 7.75. That is a 39th straight win, extending the all-time tournament record. The margin was 0.93, and the challenger won two of the five categories (longevity and sillage).
Guidance loses on the scorecard, not on presence. If you judge a perfume by how long it lasts and how far it carries, it is one of the strongest challengers Naxos has faced.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Naxos if you want a refined, golden scent that works everywhere: honey, tobacco and lavender for the office, an evening majlis and a wedding alike. It is the safer crowd-pleaser and the better value.
Choose Guidance if you love creamy, sweet florals and want a luxury signature that lasts from morning to night. The hazelnut, rose and sandalwood make it soft and elegant, and it suits both men and women who like a smooth, rich scent.
How to wear them in the UAE
Both perfumes are rich, 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. Guidance projects strongly, so two sprays are enough for a full day. Naxos layers beautifully over a light oud or a simple musk for evenings out.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Perfume Battle Round 93?
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos won with a score of 8.68 against 7.75 for Amouage Guidance.
What does Amouage Guidance smell like?
Pear and roasted hazelnut over rose, osmanthus and saffron, with a creamy base of sandalwood, vanilla and ambergris. It smells sweet, soft and slightly powdery.
Who made Amouage Guidance?
Fragrantica credits perfumer Quentin Bisch. It was launched in 2023.
Which lasts longer, Naxos or Guidance?
Guidance, by a small margin. Parfumo members rate its longevity 9.1 against 8.8 for Naxos, so both last many hours on skin.
Is Guidance for men or women?
It is listed for both men and women and is worn as a unisex perfume.
Where can I buy both in the UAE?
Shop both at AlHimyan: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos Eau de Parfum 100 ml and Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum 100 ml.
Next round
Naxos defends its title again tomorrow against a new challenger. Can anyone end the longest reign in Perfume Battle history? Follow the series on the AlHimyan blog.