Xerjoff Nio vs 40 knots vs heeley sel marin for Mediterranean island

[xmachiavellianx]

Thoughts on any of these for a vacation on a Greek island. Looking to pick one up soon. Also considering frapin humaniste

Thank you.

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Nio, Sel Marin, and L'Humaniste would all do well. Nio would be the best choice IMO.

[RedRaider430]

I'm in the minority on Xerjoff Nio. It's quite popular. Most people seem to love it, but I've never cared for it. I don't like anything about it, so, personally, I would leave that one out of the mix.

40 Knots is one of my favorite fragrances and smells fantastic. I've always considered it very much underrated on Basenotes. That said...it's considered an "aquatic" fragrance for some reason, but it's never struck me like that at all. I think it would be fine as an "island" fragrance, although something like Creed's Virgin Island Water might be even better if that's the kind of fragrance you're looking for.

Sel Marin definitely qualifies as a pure "marine" or "aquatic" scent, and it has always been one of my favorites when it comes to that type of fragrance. It would also be great for an "island" vacation.

I would vote for Sel Marin and Virgin Island Water.

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

Nio is excellent, but it's not a fun vacation scent.

[rum]

I'm in the minority on Xerjoff Nio. It's quite popular. Most people seem to love it, but I've never cared for it. I don't like anything about it, so, personally, I would leave that one out of the mix.

I'm not a fan of Nio either. Tried it multiple times and couldn't really see what all the fuss was about. Something like Amouage Beach Hut is a much better option but it doesn't do anything for me.

40 Knots is one of my favorite fragrances and smells fantastic. I've always considered it very much underrated on Basenotes. That said...it's considered an "aquatic" fragrance for some reason, but it's never struck me like that at all. I think it would be fine as an "island" fragrance, although something like Creed's Virgin Island Water might be even better if that's the kind of fragrance you're looking for.

I've actually owned and worn 40 Knots whilst on holiday in the Mediterranean and it works really well. It's one of Xerjoff's best fragrances and last for a long time with very little. The humidity doesn't drown it out.

As for Sel Marin, it's not the scent it used to be. Frequent reformulations have turned this one to fresh air mixed with raw fish. It really is quite bad. The OP would be better off getting something like Millesime Imperial, Selection Verte, Amyris Homme or Pacific Rock Moss by Goldfield & Banks.

[hednic]

heeley sel marin would be my pick for you.

[freewheelingvagabond]

heeley sel marin would be my pick for you.

Same here.

[deltasun]

Love Nio, but somehow doesn't give me vacation vibes. Sel Marin gets too seaweed-y on my skin after the opening. So, I would opt for 40 Knots. I love this Xerjoff as well and I can definitely see it as a fun vacation scent. Have a great time!

[dougczar]

If could only go with one, I would pick Nio.

However, the correct answer is all of them. No way I go to an island with only one fragrance. When I travel, I take a ziplock bag of several 1-3ml samples.

[jdp191]

I love both of the Xerjoffs, but Sel Marin feels more beachy to me. I'd go with that.

[ccdan]

Sel Marin. A bit more special.

[sjg3839]

If could only go with one, I would pick Nio.

However, the correct answer is all of them. No way I go to an island with only one fragrance. When I travel, I take a ziplock bag of several 1-3ml samples.

I agree

[Ken_Russell]

Definitely preferring and thus recommending the fresh, simple yet classy complexity of Nio as the favored choice among these

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I would vote for Sel Marin and Virgin Island Water.

Creed Virgin Island Water would be a great pick, same with Millesime Imperial.

[RedRaider430]

Creed Virgin Island Water would be a great pick, same with Millesime Imperial.

+1

[incense+heliotrope]

Amouage Beach Hut Man : not aquatic or salty, but vegetation and woods

Parfum d'Empire : Corsica Furiosa. Not aquatic either, but Mediterranean herbs to evoke the perfumer's native island.

• Green notes,
• Woods,
• Moss,
• Earth notes,
• Hay,
• Honey,
• Resin,
• Leather

[Sweetstench408]

None I'd say Virgin Island Water or Adp Mirto di Panarea

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Nio is excellent, but it's not a fun vacation scent.

From the same house 1861 Renaissance does better imo. It has a nice citrusy/mint vibe.

[Alpedra]

From those three, Nio is my favorite by far (which is one of my all time favorite summer/spring fragrances). However and for a beachy summer island vibe, I would probably go with Creed Virgin Island Water.

Xerjoff Renaissance, as recommended above, is also a perfume I love to wear in the Spring/Summer (it feels more minty and not as bitter and green as Nio).

Sel Marin is nice, but the drydown has a bit too much seaweed going on (to me at least). Speaking of Heeley, I really like Note de Yuzu from the same house. Take a look at it if you have the chance. Very fresh/citrusy with a bit of a salty/marine accord in the drydown but without being too seaweedy as Sel Marin feels sometimes.