Parfums de Marly Layton vs Xerjoff Naxos

Layton and Naxos are among the most recommended warm men's fragrances, and both have lavender, which keeps them in the same box. The difference is in the sweetness: in Layton it comes from apple and vanilla, in Naxos from honey and tobacco.

Property	Layton	Naxos
House	Parfums De Marly	Xerjoff
Concentration	EDP	EDP
Top notes	apple, lavender, bergamot, mandarin	lavender, bergamot, lemon
Heart notes	geranium, violet, jasmine	honey, cinnamon, cashmeran, jasmine sambac
Base notes	vanilla, cardamom, sandalwood, pepper, patchouli, guaiac wood	tobacco leaf, vanilla, tonka
Longevity (community rating)	8–12 hours	10–14 hours
Sillage (community rating)	Strong	Very strong
Full bottle	€290 / 125 ml	€240 / 100 ml
Price per millilitre	€2.32	€2.40
Decant 5 ml	€21	€24
Decant 10 ml	€37	€40

Layton opens with apple, lavender and bergamot, has geranium, violet and jasmine in the heart, and vanilla, cardamom, sandalwood and patchouli underneath. It comes across fresh and fruity at first, warm and spicy towards the end. Naxos goes straight into warmth: lavender and citrus up top, honey, cinnamon and jasmine sambac in the heart, tobacco leaf, vanilla and tonka in the base. Honey is what sets it apart — it gives it a density Layton doesn't have. They're close in price: Layton costs €290 for 125 ml (€2.32/ml), Naxos €240 for 100 ml (€2.40/ml). A 5 ml decant is €21 against €24. Layton is more versatile, Naxos more distinctive.

Which is more versatile?

Layton. The fruity opening and lighter base make it usable by day and at the office too. With honey and tobacco, Naxos is more of an evening and winter fragrance.

Which is sweeter?

Naxos. Honey and vanilla beside tobacco give a denser sweetness. Layton is sweet in a fruity way, which comes across lighter.

Are both men's fragrances?

In our database both are listed as masculine. Because of the honey and vanilla, women often wear Naxos too, while Layton, with its lavender, is closer to a classically masculine profile.

Which is the better choice for a niche beginner?

Layton, because it's closer to what most people know from mainstream perfumery. Naxos is more idiosyncratic and more polarising.

Do they overlap enough that one will do?

Partly. Both are warm and sweet with lavender, so they'll partly compete in a collection. If you love both, use them seasonally — Layton in spring and autumn, Naxos in winter.