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Round 98 of the AlHimyan Perfume Battle sends one of the best-known designer scents for men into the ring against the longest-running champion in tournament history. Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos arrives with forty-three straight wins. Its challenger is Versace Eros Eau de Parfum, the 2020 concentration of the famous blue-and-gold Eros line, built on mint, candied apple, vanilla and woods.

This is a clash of styles as much as a clash of scores. Naxos is an Italian niche gourmand of honey, tobacco and lavender, worn by men and women. Eros EDP is a loud, sweet and fresh designer crowd-pleaser made for men and for nights out. 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: 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 members still rank it number one among all unisex perfumes, a position it has held through this entire reign.

Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 8.9/10 from 14,093 ratings, Longevity 8.8, Sillage 8.5, Bottle 9.1, Value for money 7.6.

Versace Eros Eau de Parfum: the challenger

Eros EDP takes the DNA of the first 2012 Eros and pushes it deeper. The opening is bright and cold: Italian lemon, mandarin, spearmint and a sweet candied apple. The heart adds clary sage, geranium and Ambermax, a modern amber-woody material that gives the scent its radiant, slightly synthetic glow. The base is where the EDP differs most from the EDT, with vanilla, sandalwood, Virginia cedar, patchouli, vetiver and a soft leather touch. Parfumo describes the overall style as fresh-sweet, with fresh, sweet, citrus and fruity as its main accords.

Community scores (Parfumo): Scent 7.7/10 from 1,917 ratings, Longevity 7.6, Sillage 7.5, Bottle 8.1, Value for money 7.8.

Head to head

Eros EDP wins one category outright: value for money, where Parfumo members rate it 7.8 against 7.6 for Naxos. Everywhere else the champion leads, and the gap is widest on the scent score itself, a full 1.2 points. Longevity and sillage both favour Naxos by about a point each.

The verdict

Winner: Xerjoff XJ 1861 Naxos, 8.65 to 7.68. The margin of 0.97 is close to the average of this reign. Naxos now holds forty-four straight wins, extending the all-time record it took from Afnan 9PM. Eros EDP is a well-liked, versatile designer scent with a stronger value score than the champion, but the community simply rates the Naxos composition higher, and that 60% scent weight decides the round.

Which one should you buy?

Choose Naxos if you want a refined, honeyed and smoky scent that works for men and women, sits close to the skin in a warm cloud, and feels at home with formal wear, cool evenings and majlis gatherings. It is the more complex and more distinctive of the two.

Choose Eros EDP if you want an easy, attention-getting scent for men that reads fresh and sweet at the same time. The mint and apple opening is friendly and modern, and the vanilla-wood base keeps it smooth. It is the safer blind buy for someone who already likes popular designer fragrances.

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 Eros EDP.

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 rather than the wrists. Eros EDP handles warmth better thanks to its mint and citrus top, but its sweetness still builds in humidity. In the cooler season it shines on nights out; in summer, one or two sprays are enough.

Layering tip: Naxos sits well over a plain oud or sandalwood oil for a richer evening trail. Eros EDP pairs best on its own or over an unscented moisturiser to stretch its life on skin.

Frequently asked questions

Is Versace Eros EDP different from Eros EDT?
Yes. The EDP keeps the mint and apple opening but adds a deeper base of vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli and leather. Parfumo lists it as a separate fragrance released in 2020.

Is Naxos only for men?
No. Parfumo lists Naxos as unisex and ranks it first in that category. Its honey, lavender and tobacco suit anyone who likes warm, sweet scents.

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.

Which lasts longer?
Parfumo members rate Naxos higher for longevity, 8.8 against 7.6 for Eros EDP. Results on your own skin will vary with climate and how much you apply.

Which is better as a gift?
For someone who enjoys niche perfume, Naxos. For someone who wears popular designer scents, Eros EDP is the easier choice.

How do delivery and returns work?
Please read our shipping policy and refund policy for the current details.

Next round

Naxos goes for win number forty-five in Round 99. Can a challenger finally break the longest reign in tournament history? Follow every round on the AlHimyan blog.