Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Renewal and new beginnings are celebrated in the recently launched fragrance from Xerjoff’s Casamorati line. Levar del Sole is based on hand-picked roses from India’s perfume capital, Kannauj. However, it is nothing like an ordinary rose fragrance.

Levar del Sole has taken a spot in the Casamorati line of Xerjoff, which is meant to honor the ancient art of Italian perfumery. The name translates to “rising of the sun” and narrates the rise of the phoenix, symbolizing new beginnings. You can see it in the colors of the bottle as well; it reminds one of a bright new dawn. And smelling the fragrance, you could say it actually takes the Casamorati line to a whole new level.

Sergio Momo, the founder of Xerjoff, said that Levar del Sole was born from his travel in India, where he was discovering the most beautiful roses, thus, this perfume is special to him. I think, in a way, this fragrance beautifully illustrates the journey.

I had a chance to smell Levar del Sole for the first time in an exclusive presentation at Xerjoff’s boutique in Milan this March. When scented blotters were given to the audience, sighs and ‘wows’ could be heard. People loved it from the moment they smelled it.

Hearing that the new fragrance was based on rose, I wasn’t expecting much—this flower needs to be exceptionally done to impress me. But as the scented piece of paper reached me, I couldn’t keep my eyes from widening, and a quiet ‘wow’ escaped my mouth. This was nothing like what I had imagined.

The rose in this fragrance is delicate and silky smooth. It blends beautifully with cardamom, violet, and lily. This composition somehow reminds me of Indian stores—you know, the ones you pass through, and the scent of spices, flowers, and incense follows you for a few seconds? It’s not exactly that, but it smells warm and exotic. The softness of the rose makes me also think of a field of roses somewhere far away, where the night fades, and the sky is slowly getting brighter, painting everything around in the lush colors.

As the scent develops on the skin, a gourmand accord shows up, with benzoin, caramel, and sweet, almondy tonka bean. It never gets sticky or overly sweet, but remains warm and comforting. Such a beautiful transformation!

Personally, as much as I enjoy Xerjoff fragrances, the Casamorati line was not my favorite, with the exceptions of Lira and Italica. This year’s releases have changed my perspective. Both Quattro Pizzi and Levar del Sole are exceptional creations, with beautiful stories, visuals, and of course, scents. May it be the symbol of a new rise of the line.

[Written based on a PR sample, opinion my own]