Xerjoff’s Torino 21 is the kind of scent that makes people ask what you are wearing. It is built on mint, lemon and basil, and the result is bright, green and cooling in a way few niche fragrances manage without turning into a cleaning product. It is a favourite among people who want something sharper than a standard citrus cologne, and it is priced accordingly, with a 100ml bottle typically sitting at a niche price in the UK.
Why Mint-and-Basil Is Harder to Pull Off Than It Sounds
Most mint fragrances fall into one of two traps. They either smell like toothpaste, or they collapse into a generic aromatic that could be any aftershave. Torino 21 avoids both by pairing the mint with lemon and basil, which keeps the opening crisp and herbal rather than sweet. The result is a fragrance that feels cold on skin, and it is one of the few that genuinely works as a hot-weather scent because it makes you feel cooler rather than just smelling fresh.
The Yodeyma Match
Yodeyma Nº121 is matched in our Yodeyma dupe list to Xerjoff’s Torino 21, and the listed notes tell the same story: mint, lemon and basil. It is a short, simple pyramid, and that simplicity is the point. The fragrance is about the contrast between sharp mint and soft green basil, not about a long list of ingredients.
Nº121 starts at £8.99 for 15ml and goes up to £35.99 for 100ml. That puts even the largest bottle at a small fraction of the designer price, and the 15ml at about the cost of a sandwich. For a scent you will want to reapply in the summer, that is the more sensible way to buy it. A bottle of this kind of fresh, mint-forward scent tends to disappear faster than a heavy amber, because you spray it more often.
When It Works Best
Torino 21 style fragrances are made for warm days, the gym bag, and offices with poor air conditioning. They are light enough to wear to work without bothering colleagues and fresh enough to freshen up in the afternoon. They are less convincing in deep winter, where the cold air mutes the mint and the scent can feel thin.
The honest limitation with any fresh scent, designer or inspired, is longevity. Citrus and mint evaporate quickly, so expect a few hours rather than a full day, and plan to top up. That is why the smaller sizes make sense: one in the desk, one in the bag.
Other Fresh Fragrances Worth Comparing
If Torino 21 is your style, it is worth reading our guide to Erba Pura alternatives, which covers another Xerjoff scent from the opposite end of the spectrum, a sweet and fruity citrus. For something drier and more woody, try Montblanc Explorer alternatives, and for a greener, more mineral take on freshness, the Boss Bottled guide is a useful comparison.
Our Inspired Perfumes range also includes Nº102, matched to Acqua di Giò, if you want an aquatic rather than a mint-led scent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yodeyma Nº121 an exact copy of Torino 21? No. It is an inspired perfume that is designed to smell similar and is not affiliated with Xerjoff. The note profile is closely aligned, but the original is a different formulation.
Is it unisex? Yes. Mint, lemon and basil is a gender-neutral combination, and it is commonly worn by both men and women.
How long does it last? Fresh citrus and mint scents are typically the shortest-lived in any collection. Expect a few hours on skin and reapply as needed.
