Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Xerjoff is introducing a new fragrance – Deified Tony Iommi. Following the huge success of their first collaboration with the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath, they have decided to embark on this journey once again.

In 2021, Xerjoff released the fragrance Tony Iommi Monkey Special, marking the inception of a new line called Blends. By partnering with the iconic guitarist of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, the brand ventured into uncharted territory, merging the realms of music and perfume. The first fragrance in the line aimed to encapsulate the essence of rock 'n' roll in the late '60s as experienced by Iommi. This sweet, spicy, gourmand-leaning, and leathery perfume enjoyed immense success, demonstrating the overlap between audiences of music and perfume enthusiasts.

Subsequently, Xerjoff introduced Groove Xcape, a collaborative action between the brand's founder, Sergio Momo, and Max Casacci, co-founder of Subsonica. Now, a new limited collaboration with Tony Iommi is being unveiled: Deified Tony Iommi. Only 100 bottles of this new release have been produced, each signed by Tony Iommi and Sergio Momo.

The bottle itself is exceptional: crafted from dark glass and adorned with crystals, featuring a skull in the place of Xerjoff's usual "X" on the front. Truly a collector's item, albeit at a price of a collector's item too – a 50 ml bottle costs €650.

The scent takes a markedly different direction from the first Tony Iommi fragrance. It exudes a darker, more mysterious aura. While leather remains a center, the juiciness of passion fruit, caramel, and sweet vanilla is notably absent. Instead, heavy dark leather is paired with notes of apple, patchouli, saffron, and rose.

It opens with a spicy burst of saffron, a slight hint of cinnamon, and tart green apple, gradually transitioning to a prominent rose accord. The rose, intense and juicy, harmonizes seamlessly with the robust leather, creating a powerful olfactory synergy.

Lacking in sweetness, the fragrance carries a weighty presence that may not be suited for the faint of heart. At times, I detect a slight resemblance to Promise by Frédéric Malle – perhaps it's the apple note, or the boldness of the scent in general. However, they are not the same at all, each with its own character. Nonetheless, fans of Promise may find delight in this release.

As the fragrance evolves, musky patchouli emerges in the base, accompanied by a comforting hint of papyrus. This warm, earthy undertone brings a sense of familiarity, finishing a wild and evocative olfactory journey.

Needless to say, the performance of this fragrance is superior, as is characteristic of Xerjoff. Just a few spritzes suffice to transport me back to my teenage years, when scratched jeans and leather jackets were my wardrobe staples. Suddenly, I feel compelled to don my rivet bracelets and grab my black eyeliner.

[PR sample, opinion my own]