Oud Rose Intense vs Alexandria II

The community views Xerjoff's 2023 releases as competently made but underwhelming, with no clear must-buy fragrances despite good technical execution. While Astaral shows promise as a value option in the rose-oud category, most releases are considered difficult to wear with limited practical applications, and the house's recent direction lacks a compelling identity.

Alexandria II is a deeply divisive fragrance with a notoriously challenging opening that turns many people away immediately, but rewards patience with a beautiful, complex dry down that devoted fans consider exceptional. Success heavily depends on skin chemistry and tolerance for animalic or sharp top notes, making it essential to test on skin rather than paper strips before committing to a full bottle.