Aubres

The Verdict

Xerjoff created Aubres as an exclusive for Fortnum & Mason, the storied London department store with over three centuries of history. Perfumer Chris Maurice composed this woody aromatic blend to evoke what the house describes as velvet warmth, though the community experience suggests something more bracing and green than that phrase might imply. This is a fragrance that speaks of polished surfaces, dried herbs, and ancient stone.

Reviewers consistently praise Aubres for its quality and restraint, qualities that set it apart from Xerjoff's more exuberant offerings. One reviewer noted that Chris Maurice "knows how to blend scents and this one simply puts most summer scents several levels below." The consensus is that this is a quiet triumph of aromatic perfumery.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers bright Mediterranean citrus, with Italian lemon and bergamot providing a sun-drenched burst that quickly gives way to the herbal-resinous heart. Elemi resin and frankincense create an aromatic backbone around which myrtle, holy basil, Provencal lavender, and galbanum orbit in a complex herbal arrangement.

The incense is the dominant personality, combining with elemi resin in a way reviewers find particularly successful. The lavender here is not the sharp medicinal variety but rather the soft, dried-flower quality of Provencal bushes. Labdanum, atlas cedar, and patchouli form a resinous woody base that one reviewer described as "forest floor and dried lavender bushes, damp earth on a warm day." The overall impression is of an English gentleman's study, "polished, aristocratic" in character.

When to Wear It

Aubres is a three-season fragrance that excels in fall but carries enough brightness for spring and summer wear. Its refined character makes it well-suited for professional environments, cultural events, and elegant social gatherings. The incense and herbal notes particularly shine on cool autumn days when the smoky-woody base can develop fully.

This is not a weekend-casual fragrance; it carries itself with a formality that rewards settings where understated quality is noticed and appreciated.

Longevity & Projection

Reviewers consistently report above-average longevity, with the resinous base notes ensuring the fragrance persists well through the day. Sillage is moderate to strong, projecting enough to be noticed without overwhelming. The incense and patchouli base provides an anchor that many lighter aromatic fragrances lack, giving Aubres genuine staying power without sacrificing its elegant restraint.

The Community Says

The Fragrantica community describes Aubres as "an extremely elegant summer creation, not a screamer" with "exceptional" blending. Basenotes reviewers highlight the "dominant incense note which combines so nicely with the elemi resin as well as the lavender and patchouli." Another reviewer evokes the image of an English gentleman: "fine herbs, lavender, damp earth on a warm day, woody, slightly smoky notes." The consensus is that this is a connoisseur's fragrance that rewards attention and appreciation.

Who Should Buy This

Aubres is for the fragrance enthusiast who values quality blending and subtle complexity over volume and sweetness. It suits those who appreciate the intersection of herbal freshness and resinous depth. Xerjoff collectors will find it a worthy addition, particularly given its Fortnum & Mason exclusivity. Men and women who enjoy fragrances like Tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain or other incense-forward compositions will find a kindred spirit here.

The Bottom Line

Xerjoff Aubres is a refined aromatic incense composition that embodies quiet confidence and quality craftsmanship. Chris Maurice's blend of Mediterranean citrus, Provencal herbs, and smoky resins creates something that feels both timeless and distinctly placed, a fragrance that could perfume the halls of a centuries-old London institution or a sun-warmed herb garden in equal measure. It is understated excellence in a bottle.