Xerjoff is notorious for its astronomic prices and focus on luxurious packaging. So I did not actively seek out to try the line, to keep myself from temptation, but somehow samples kept finding me. A phenomenon I have also heard about from a friend. I was quite happy though that none of the ones I tried, appealed to me with the exception of Irisss, which is sublime, but I felt Iris Silver Mist by Serge Lutens was a perfect dupe that worked even better for me, especially when it comes to affordability. Xerjoff makes a bell-jar seem practically free.
Until – again by chance or serendipity – Lira entered my life. This was love at first sniff, and I could no longer ignore the existence of Xerjoff, this was greatness I smelled right there on my arm.
Lira was created in 2011 as a part of the vintage collection within the Xerjoff line, Casamorati 1888. The line is inspired by Italian perfumery in the 19th century:
“La “Fabbrica di Profumi C.Casamorati” established in Bologna around 1888 specialized in exquisit fragrances and various sophisticated bath soaps. During those years of production, Casamorati received numerous awards and precious rewards from major national and international exhibitions.”
– from the Xerjoff website
Lira includes notes of bergamot, red orange, lavender, licorice, jasmine, rose, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel and musk.
What is stunning from the start is that – unlike in many other perfumes I have tried – I can smell every single note that is listed. The unfurl before my nose like a flower opening in the sunlight seen in fast-forward.
There is bergamot, orange, lavender at first, imparting a fresh start, almost immediately though licorice and spices peek through setting the mood to oriental-gourmand, rose, jasmine – something I swear is the banana-tinged creaminess of ylang-ylang – follow broadening the scope of the perfume and adding the balancing dimension that keeps Lira from being too sweet and edible. Caramel and vanilla paired with a soft musk kick in last, making the scent very sweet, but through some feat of perfumery Lira is not a heavy scent. It reads hardly as light when you look at the notes list, but it smells utterly scrumptious while being transparent and somehow calories-free.
I have been wearing Lira in these hot June days now and it works very well in these temperatures without being too much. Sillage is tame, staying power is excellent though, I can still smell it in the morning when I apply it before bed. Also I might add that I have not had a better nights sleep in years, than when wearing Lira.
As I said every single note is discernible to my nose, but the perfume is still well blended, there is a smoothness to it, a shiny surface, like a well polished stone.
In its heart Lira reminds me of Penhaligon’s Amaranthine, the floral aspect seems similar, the base is all gourmand-oriental though, no naughty elements here, but cozy and comfy, sweet and spicy, eyeroll-inducing loveliness.
Lira is a bury-your-nose-in-your-arm-and-die-happy perfume. I am glad it is part of the more reasonably priced Casamorati 1888 line, here the focus seems to be less on the bottle and more on the juice. (All that only in relation to the other Xerjoff lines, 17/17 and Shooting Stars, the Casamorati bottle is still very luxurious and beautiful and certainly not cheaply made from what I can see.)
Lira relaxes me, makes me let go of my worries and breathe deeply. What a great smelling sleeping aid it is.
Lira is available directly from the Xerjoff eboutique which have taken a liking to, since they offer free shipping within the EU and they have discovery sets of all the sub-lines.
I will test the others in the Casamorati line as well, from the sound of it, there are many among them, I expect a lot from. Watch this space!
Olfactoria's Travels 
Hm, am I the only one here who doesn’t like the bottle ???
O.K., a repulsive bottle shouldn’t hinder me to sniff its content, but often it does… I’ve never sniffed anything from Xerjoff yet. Hearing about the price tag I’m afraid to change that fact…
The bottle is not to my taste, but I appreciate the quality and craftsmanship. I understand your view point, exactly the same here. But that particular Pandora’s box has been opened… 😉
Those tops are the WORST! The presentation is pretty overall, but I can’t help but think of various functional products when I look at them 😉
Haha, I wrote another Xerjoff review today and those tops get their minute! They are awful AND dangerous in
my opinion! 🙂
I sooo not want to try Xerjoff. I have enough with Amouage pushing my budget.
Lira sounds definitely tempting. Thatnk you for another lovely review.
It is really sad that Xerjoff opts to please the super rich, rather than the people who would (and could) appreciate their offerings. I am far from saying all that Xerjoff makes is good, the majority I did try, I did not care for personally, but those I love are truly amazing to me and it pains me that they mean a major self denial in any case. (I either deny myself the perfume or the money for lots of other things, there is no ideal outcome here.)
If I were a one bottle at a time person, I would certainly buy Lira (and Oesel – see not even in this sentence can I be faithful to one bottle), but the way it is, I’ll probably keep on dreaming. 🙂
Maybe you will find a wealthy patron… 🙂
Maybe! He’ll keep me in perfume and gladrags forever and ever! 🙂
Lira sounds wonderful and the idea that it aids in a good night’s sleep on top of all that is very tempting indeed. Lovely review! I also have been avoiding because of the over spendy aspect but when something is this good, you must take notice.
Thank you very much, Lucy, for seeing the positive side. I feel like I’m getting whacked from all sides for liking a Xerjoff. 😉
It is a wonderful perfume and I am glad I encountered it, even if it is out of my range. (Unless I do find a wealthy patron! 😉 )
I’ve never seen a more ugly and repulsive bottle in my hole life, but since I’m not rich, maybe I’m just not the target group nevertheless this bottle would oerfectly fit into a versace decorated bathroom with golden tubs, but isn’t redecoration your home too much effort for a scent? Not to speek of certainly changing my whole wardrobe in order to match the bottle……if this seems too stressful one would certainly have to hide the bottle somewhere, in order to be able to live a “normal” life……
Haha…
Let me tell you, this is so good, I don’t care what container it came in and that is saying something! 😉
Haha, it seems like I’m not the only one who has a problem with the bottles! I’ve tried four (or six?) from the line, and not a single one speaks to me. Thank the gods, I can save my money for Honour 😉
Also B, I’d like to thank you for NOT inducing a lemming today… Three days in a row would really be pushing it 😉
Too bad, I was hoping for a hattrick! 😉
But just you wait, you have been lucky until now with your Xerjoff samples, but there will come the day when you will fall too! Of that I am absolutely sure! (I know you and your tastes a little bit!). I will sit back and wait for it to happen, and then I will be there to commiserate and help you look for your very own patron! 🙂
The discovery sets are quite reasonable, and very tempting! I wish more brands would make such sets.
I think so too! And for once a brand us doing what we always want! 15ml bottles of everything!
I love Lirs very much and yet I couldn’t describe the magic of Xerjoff better. It is the only house that can blend lavender well. I think those bottles reflect their age and that is okay. I hate elitism though and wish they would sell their wonderful fragrances in plain old glass. I see no benefit to snobbery , why not sell to the very rich and not rich as well. I am so glad Dimitri alerted me to the sample sets which are well worth the price. Xerjoff were very polite and the sets arrived in the U.K in two days. Maybe they are changing mind set now and will sell in cheaper bottles ,let’s hope so the World has changed keep up with it.
Thank you for that lovely comment, Angie! I totally agree with everything you say. My experiences with the perfume as well as with the people behind the brand have been great so far. Maybe there is hope for some change, bu in the meantume those discovery sets are indeed great value and they sure made it onto my wishlist.
And aside from all the talk about bottles
and money and branding, I want to say it again – the perfume is simply beautiful. 🙂
I love that you’ve found another love similar to Amaranthine, I always associate you with that scent for some reason– even though so many of us love it. I personally NEED a sample of Richwood, and am willing to fork over $10 for a little sample at Luckyscent because of a gut feeling. 🙂
Carrie, I love to be associated with Amaranthine! And this one as well. 🙂
Richwood sounds divine, edible patchouli – hmmm. I look forward to hear about it from your point of view.
I’ll try to stay away from Xerjoff as long as possible: I do not want to pay for sampling something that is way beyond my perfume budget. I’m not opposed in principle to paying for something that I love and absolutely want to have but I do not want to put a special effort into creating that lemming.
Still enjoyed your review.
I totally understand what you are saying. I almost wish I hadn’t smelled it, but I am enjoying Lira immensely, so I am happy anyway.
I love hearing about perfumes that enchance sleep. Of course, I realize Lira may not work like that on me, but I love knowing it worked for you! Happy dream time = happy awake time!
So true! A good nights sleep influences the entire day! Maybe that is the main reason I am so enchanted with Lira… and it smells so damn good too. 🙂 Do you have any sleep enhancing perfumes to recommend, Joan?
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