Amphorae 16

The Verdict

Xerjoff Amphorae 16 is the second entry from the brand's ultra-exclusive attar oil collection featured in this review series, and it takes a distinctly different path from its sibling Amphorae 17. Where 17 focused on amber and resinous depth, Amphorae 16 centers on the interplay between Madagascar vanilla, Indian jasmine sambac, and a foundation of ouds from both Laos and Cambodia. The result is described by the house as a seductive fruity floral fusion, and community ratings tend to support that assessment, with a 7.5 out of 10 scent rating on Parfumo.

This is a fragrance that inspires genuine affection from its fans while drawing criticism from those who find it either too sweet or not distinctive enough for its extraordinary price point.

What It Smells Like

The opening is led by Madagascar vanilla, which announces itself with creamy, comforting sweetness. One reviewer described the initial impression as a strawberry milkshake quality, candy-floss-like and almost edible. This sweet introduction quickly gains complexity as Indian jasmine sambac blooms in the heart, adding a lush, slightly indolic floral character that offsets the vanilla's straightforward sweetness.

The base is where Amphorae 16 reveals its depth. Laotian oud and Cambodian oud combine with Haitian vetiver and musk to create a rich, woody, and subtly animalic foundation. Indian cypriol adds earthy, smoky undertones. The overall evolution moves from sweet comfort to woody-animalic complexity, a journey that some find captivating and others describe as arriving at a soapy or laundry-like drydown. One reviewer compared the overall experience to a mix of existing products rather than something wholly original.

When to Wear It

Amphorae 16 is best suited for fall and winter evenings. Its sweet vanilla opening and deep oud base create a richness that thrives in cold weather and intimate settings. Special celebrations, cultural events, and personal moments of indulgence are ideal occasions. The attar oil format lends itself to a ritualistic application that enhances the sense of occasion.

Longevity & Projection

Community ratings show longevity at 7.3 out of 10 and sillage at 6.8 out of 10, both solid numbers that suggest better performance than its sibling Amphorae 17. The concentrated attar oil format and the presence of oud and vetiver in the base contribute to staying power that most wearers find satisfactory. Sillage is moderate, creating a personal scent bubble that rewards close proximity.

The Community Says

Opinions are varied but lean positive. Enthusiastic reviewers describe it with evocative food metaphors: strawberry milkshake, candy floss, sweet enough to eat. The comfort factor resonates strongly with those who appreciate vanilla-forward compositions elevated by exotic materials. Critical voices note that for the price of entry, the fragrance sometimes reads as uninspired, with one reviewer comparing it unfavorably to existing mainstream products. The soapy drydown detected by some is another point of contention.

Who Should Buy This

Amphorae 16 is for attar oil collectors who specifically love the combination of vanilla, jasmine, and oud. If you find deep satisfaction in applying a tiny amount of precious oil and experiencing its slow evolution throughout the day, this offers a distinctive journey. The dual-origin oud from both Laos and Cambodia is a particular selling point for oud enthusiasts who appreciate regional differences in the material.

The Bottom Line

Xerjoff Amphorae 16 delivers a seductive vanilla-jasmine-oud composition in the brand's signature ultra-luxury attar format. With stronger performance than Amphorae 17 and an appealing sweet-to-woody evolution, it represents the more crowd-pleasing entry in the collection, though its extraordinary price and polarizing drydown mean sampling through any available channel is strongly advised.