Xerjoff Naxos vs Diptyque Orpheon - Perfume Battle Round 103
Round 103 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle sets a honeyed niche gourmand against one of Diptyque's most talked-about modern releases. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos is still the champion and arrives with forty-eight straight wins, the longest reign in the tournament's history. Its challenger is Diptyque Orpheon, the 2021 eau de parfum composed by Olivier Pescheux, which Parfumo members currently rank 127th among all unisex perfumes.
A note on the scorecard: Fragrantica blocked our requests again today, so this round uses the Parfumo-only formula we apply whenever Fragrantica is unreachable. The Parfumo scent rating carries 60% of the score, with longevity, sillage and value for money making up the rest.
The tale of the tape
| Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos | Diptyque Orpheon | |
|---|---|---|
| House | Xerjoff (Italy) | Diptyque (Paris) |
| Perfumer | Not credited | Olivier Pescheux |
| Released | 2015 | 2021 |
| Family | Sweet spicy gourmand, honey and tobacco | Floral fresh, woody and powdery |
| Listed for | Women and men | Women and men |
| Parfumo scent rating | 8.9 / 10 (14,153 ratings) | 8.2 / 10 (1,529 ratings) |
| Parfumo unisex ranking | Number 1 | Number 127 |
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos: the champion
Naxos belongs to the Xerjoff 1861 collection, a tribute to Sicily. Parfumo lists its top notes as lavender, bergamot, lemon and Omani frankincense. The heart brings honey, cinnamon, jasmine sambac and soft cashmere wood, and the base of tobacco, tonka bean and vanilla stays warm and creamy without turning sticky. Parfumo members still rank it number one among all unisex perfumes, and its rating count keeps climbing every week.
Community scores: Parfumo scent 8.9/10 from 14,153 ratings, longevity 8.8, sillage 8.5, bottle 9.1, value for money 7.6.
Diptyque Orpheon: the challenger
Orpheon was launched in 2021 for Diptyque's sixtieth anniversary. The house says the name comes from a bar in Saint-Germain-des-Pres where its three founders spent their evenings in the 1960s, and the bottle illustration is by Gianpaolo Pagni. Olivier Pescheux built the scent around juniper berry, jasmine sambac and cedarwood, with a powdery tonka and benzoin finish. Parfumo describes it as floral and fresh and lists its main accords as floral, fresh, woody, powdery and spicy. The result is a soft, slightly gin-like woody floral that feels polished and easy to wear.
Community scores: Parfumo scent 8.2/10 from 1,529 ratings, longevity 7.4, sillage 6.9, bottle 8.5, value for money 6.9.
Notes side by side
| Naxos | Orpheon | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Lavender, bergamot, lemon, Omani frankincense | Juniper berry, galbanum, mastic, Chinese magnolia |
| Heart | Honey, cinnamon, cashmere wood, jasmine sambac | Jasmine sambac, Turkish damask rose, Comorian ylang-ylang, honeycomb |
| Base | Tobacco, tonka bean, vanilla | Cedarwood, Venezuelan tonka bean, Siam benzoin, amber, ambroxan, cistus, patchouli, vetiver, musk |
| Main accords | Sweet, spicy, gourmand, creamy, citrus | Floral, fresh, woody, powdery, spicy |
Parfumo lists the notes of Orpheon as one flat list without a pyramid, so the opening, heart and base split above follows the usual role of each material. The two perfumes share more than you might expect: both carry jasmine sambac, both use a touch of honey, and both rest on tonka bean. Naxos turns those materials into a rich, sweet gourmand, while Orpheon keeps them airy and dry behind juniper and cedar.
The scorecard
| Category | Weight | Naxos | Orpheon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfumo scent rating | 60% | 8.9 | 8.2 |
| Longevity (Parfumo) | 15% | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Sillage (Parfumo) | 10% | 8.5 | 6.9 |
| Value for money (Parfumo) | 15% | 7.6 | 6.9 |
| Final score | Total | 8.65 | 7.76 |
Naxos leads every category, but this is one of the closer rounds of recent weeks. Orpheon's scent rating of 8.2 from more than 1,500 Parfumo members is a strong result for any modern release. The biggest gaps are sillage, where Naxos is rated 1.6 points higher, and longevity, where it leads by 1.4.
The verdict
Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, 8.65 to 7.76. With a margin of 0.89, Naxos takes its forty-ninth straight win. Orpheon is a refined, quietly confident woody floral with a growing following, but it is built to sit close and elegant, and it cannot match the projection and depth of a full honey and tobacco gourmand.
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 Orpheon if you like clean woods and soft florals and want something different from the usual sweet scents. Its juniper and cedar keep it fresh, its tonka and benzoin keep it smooth, and it suits the office, daytime meetings and anyone who prefers a scent that feels polished rather than loud.
Open each product page to see today's price for Naxos and see today's price for Orpheon.
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. Orpheon works almost all year: its juniper opening feels crisp in warm weather and its powdery woods stay comfortable indoors. Because it sits fairly close to the skin, spray it on pulse points and lightly on clothing to help it carry.
Layering tip: Naxos sits well over a plain oud or amber oil for a richer evening trail. Orpheon pairs naturally with a light sandalwood or white musk oil, which adds depth without hiding its clean woody character.
Frequently asked questions
Who created Diptyque Orpheon?
Parfumo credits perfumer Olivier Pescheux. The fragrance was released in 2021.
Where does the name Orpheon come from?
According to Diptyque, Orpheon was a bar in Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris where the house's founders met in the 1960s.
Is Orpheon for women or men?
Parfumo lists it for women and men. Naxos is also listed for women and men.
Which smells sweeter?
Naxos, clearly. Honey, tonka bean and vanilla make it a gourmand. Orpheon has honeycomb and tonka in its list of notes but reads as a dry, powdery woody floral.
Which lasts longer?
Parfumo members rate Naxos higher for longevity, 8.8 against 7.4 for Orpheon. Results on your own skin will vary with climate and how much you apply.
How do delivery and returns work?
Please read our shipping policy and refund policy for the current terms.
Scores are community ratings read from Parfumo on 31 October 2026. Fragrantica was unreachable today. The champion stays on for Round 104 tomorrow.