Xerjoff Naxos vs Dsquared2 Red Wood - Perfume Battle Round 74
Round 74 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle is a clash of styles. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos has won nineteen rounds in a row, the longest reign in tournament history. Its challenger is Dsquared2 Red Wood, a 2019 Eau de Toilette for women by Olivier Cresp, built on cranberry, lychee, rose and a clean woody base.
This is not a like-for-like fight. Naxos is a rich, honeyed tobacco Eau de Parfum from a niche Italian house. Red Wood is a bright, fruity floral from a fashion label, made for easy daytime wear. The two sit at very different prices, which makes the value question more interesting than usual. Both are 100 ml and both are in stock at AlHimyan in the UAE. Here is how they compare on verified community data.
The tale of the tape
| Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos | Dsquared2 Red Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| House | Xerjoff (Italy) | Dsquared2 (Italy / Canada) |
| Perfumer | Not credited | Olivier Cresp |
| Released | 2015 | 2019 |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum | Eau de Toilette |
| Worn by | Men and women | Women |
| Size at AlHimyan | 100 ml | 100 ml |
| Price | AED 869 | AED 307 |
| Cost per ml | AED 8.69 | AED 3.07 |
| Character | Sweet, spicy, honeyed tobacco | Fruity floral over clean woods |
| Community ratings counted | 13,809 | 96 |
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos: the champion
Naxos belongs to the Xerjoff 1861 collection, a tribute to the unification of Italy, and it still holds the number one unisex ranking on Parfumo. It opens with lavender, bergamot, lemon and Omani frankincense. The heart brings honey, cinnamon and jasmine sambac over a soft cashmere-wood texture.
The dry-down of tobacco, tonka bean and vanilla is warm and creamy without turning sticky. It wears close and long, and it lingers on fabric into the next day.
Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 8.9/10 from 13,809 ratings, Longevity 8.8/10, Sillage 8.5/10, Bottle 9.1/10, Value for money 7.6/10.
Dsquared2 Red Wood: the challenger
Red Wood was released in 2019 as the feminine partner to Dsquared2 Wood, and it was composed by Olivier Cresp, the perfumer behind Mugler Angel and Light Blue. It opens tart and juicy with cranberry and a spark of pink pepper.
The heart is soft and pretty: lychee, magnolia and rose. The base of amberwood, cedarwood and musk keeps it clean and a little woody rather than sweet. It is an easy, cheerful scent for daytime, the office and warm weather.
Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 6.4/10 from 96 ratings, Longevity 6.4/10, Sillage 6.4/10, Bottle 6.9/10, Value for money 7.1/10.
Head to head
Scent quality. Naxos scores 8.9 across 13,809 ratings. Red Wood scores 6.4 across 96. Community opinion on the challenger is modest, and far fewer people have rated it.
Performance. As an Eau de Parfum, Naxos is built to last: 8.8 for longevity and 8.5 for sillage. Red Wood, an Eau de Toilette, rates 6.4 on both: a moderate, close-to-skin wear that suits the office and a hot day, but will need a top-up by evening.
Value. This is where the challenger fights back. At AlHimyan, Red Wood costs AED 3.07 per millilitre against AED 8.69 for Naxos, less than half the price per spray. Parfumo users still rate Naxos slightly higher for value, 7.6 against 7.1, because of how much scent and time you get per spray.
Presentation. Naxos takes it, 9.1 against 6.9 for the bottle.
The verdict
| Scoring component | Weight | Naxos | Red Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parfumo scent score | 60% | 8.86 | 6.41 |
| Longevity | 15% | 8.77 | 6.43 |
| Sillage | 10% | 8.54 | 6.41 |
| Value for money | 15% | 7.59 | 7.08 |
| Final score | Total | 8.62 | 6.51 |
Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos. The champion takes its twentieth consecutive round and extends the longest reign in tournament history. Red Wood is the lighter, friendlier and much more affordable choice, but Naxos wins every measured category.
A note on method. Community figures come from Parfumo, fetched on 25 September 2026 and checked twice for a matching page. The Red Wood note pyramid was also confirmed against public listings. Fragrantica's public pages returned an access block, so no Fragrantica score is quoted and its weighting was moved to the Parfumo scent score, as in recent rounds. No figure in this article is estimated.
Which one should you buy?
Buy Naxos if you want a long-lasting, rich fragrance with presence, and a warm honey-tobacco scent that works for men and women alike, from the office to a dinner out.
Buy Red Wood if you want a light, fruity floral for everyday wear, daytime heat and the office, or a well-priced gift for her from a designer house.
Frequently asked questions
What does Dsquared2 Red Wood smell like? Cranberry and pink pepper on top, lychee, magnolia and rose in the heart, and amberwood, cedarwood and musk in the base.
Is Red Wood for men or women? It is made for women. Dsquared2 Wood is the matching men's fragrance.
Does Red Wood last long? Parfumo users rate its longevity 6.4 out of 10 and its sillage 6.4, so expect a soft, moderate wear. Spraying on clothes helps it last.
Which is better for the UAE heat? Red Wood is the easier daytime choice in hot weather. Naxos shines in autumn, winter and air-conditioned evenings; in daytime heat, keep it to one or two sprays.
How do I order in the UAE? Both are in stock now at alhimyan.com. Cash on delivery is available across the UAE, delivery is fast, and returns are accepted within seven days.
Shop this round
Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos Unisex Eau de Parfum 100 ml
Dsquared2 Red Wood for Women Eau de Toilette 100 ml
Champion standing after Round 74: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, twenty straight wins. A new challenger enters next round.