SOTD: Ex Nihilo - The Irreverents (Harrods Exclusive)

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Saturday night I gave another recent addition its second full wearing: Ex Nihilo – The Irreverents. This is a Harrods Exclusive and joins Brompton Immortals EDP in my collection, moving my total Ex Nihilo bottles to 4 (Speed Legends and Blue Talisman are the others). I’ve been really enjoying the house of Ex Nihilo, although they are pricey and I wouldn’t suggest blind buying.

The Irreverents opens with a warm, radiant burst of saffron and pink pepper that makes it feel instantly luxurious and a little mischievous. It then slides into an addictive and creamy caramel heart. The base is pure comfort with rich vanilla, tonka bean, and a salty whisper of ambergris that keeps everything grounded and elegant.

On skin it’s cozy, slightly gourmand, and effortlessly unisex. It’s like a cashmere sweater dipped in salted caramel and worn to a dimly lit bar. There’s a subtle metallic edge in the background that gives it that signature Ex Nihilo polish and stops it from ever feeling too dessert-like or cloying.

This is cool weather magic and excellent when the temperature drops into the low 50s°F or below. Sillage is generous, especially when you’re moving, where it blooms off the skin with each step. It’s not a room clearing beast, but it quietly commands attention, announcing your arrival, lingering like a signature as you leave, and trails just enough to make strangers wonder what smells like warm, salted caramel you can eat with a spoon, but somehow still refined, never dessert.

Is it worth the Harrods Exclusive price tag plus international shipping from the UK? Objectively… probably not. Do I still catch myself inhaling my wrist like an addict both times I’ve worn it? Absolutely. It’s stupidly beautiful, and my brain has already decided the justification part is irrelevant. Dangerous territory. Proceed with caution gents!

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