Wabar

The Verdict

Xerjoff's Wabar, from the house's Shooting Stars collection and composed by Chris Maurice, is a fragrance that divides rooms as effectively as it fills them. Named after a legendary lost city in the Arabian desert, this oriental vanilla aims for mystery and opulence. Whether it achieves that or veers into excess depends entirely on the wearer's skin chemistry and the listener's tolerance for sweetness.

The community is sharply split. Passionate supporters describe it in terms of silk and luxury; detractors reach for comparisons to air freshener and grape candy. There is remarkably little middle ground in the discourse around Wabar. What everyone agrees on is that it is loud, persistent, and impossible to ignore.

What It Smells Like

The opening introduces star anise and bergamot, the anise lending a distinctive licorice-edged brightness that sets Wabar apart from more conventional vanilla fragrances. The bergamot provides a brief citrus lift before the composition moves decisively into its floral heart.

Magnolia, lily-of-the-valley, and jasmine form a white floral core that ranges from elegantly creamy to syrupy depending on individual perception. Some detect wine-like qualities in this stage, while others find it veers into grape candy territory. The base settles into vanilla, musk, and vetiver, with the vanilla dominant and the vetiver providing an earthy counterpoint that prevents complete confectionery sweetness. Clothes reportedly retain the sweet floral vanilla scent for extended periods.

When to Wear It

Wabar is fundamentally an evening fragrance for cooler months. Its sweetness and projection make it best suited for fall and winter nights when the dense composition can unfold without becoming cloying. Formal events, dinners, and social occasions where a bold fragrance statement is welcome provide the ideal context.

This is explicitly not a daytime or office fragrance. The volume and sweetness would overwhelm in close quarters or warm weather.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is Wabar's undisputed strength. Reviewers consistently praise both longevity and sillage, with the fragrance persisting on skin for 8-10 hours and on clothing even longer. Projection is strong, particularly in the first several hours, creating a noticeable presence that extends well beyond arm's reach. One reviewer on Parfumo rated longevity at 8 out of 10 and sillage at 7 out of 10. This is a fragrance that demands careful application; two sprays may be more than enough.

The Community Says

The divide in community opinion is striking. Supporters describe wearing Wabar as "wearing a deep purple silk shirt with a winning lotto ticket in the front pocket" and report not having "felt such love for a fragrance in a long time." Detractors are equally passionate, comparing it to "cheap air freshener or scented candles that don't smell good" and finding it "artificially fruity in a plastic, cloying way." A Basenotes reviewer described it as "sweet, fruity grape pushed loudly by white musk and synth-woods" that pushes "a little too much into grape candy territory."

Who Should Buy This

Wabar is for those who love bold, sweet, vanilla-forward oriental fragrances and want a scent that announces their presence. It suits confident wearers who enjoy fragrance as a statement piece rather than a subtle accessory. Given the divisive reception, sampling before purchasing is essential. Those whose skin chemistry tames the sweetness and brings out the sophisticated floral-anise elements will be rewarded with something genuinely luxurious.

The Bottom Line

Xerjoff Wabar is a high-stakes fragrance that delivers either silk-wrapped opulence or candy-coated excess depending on who is wearing it and who is smelling it. Its exceptional performance ensures that whatever impression it makes will be a lasting one. Sample first, commit later, and apply with a light hand.