Penhaligon's has launched Elixir, a new fragrance inspired by the brand's first scent, Hammam Bouquet. Hammam Bouquet was introduced 1872 in honor of the Turkish baths next door to the original Penhaligon's barber shop on Jermyn Street in London; Elixir share's Hammam Bouquet's woody oriental character and central rose note:
Opening with eucalyptus and the harmonising hot spices of cardamom, cinnamon and mace, the senses are massaged with the dark magic of Turkish rose and jasmine, sharpened with a twist of orange. Heat and smoke rise and the incense and woods mingle with the earthy rub of resins and spices. A touch of vanilla and the soft persistent roundness of hypnotic Tonka bean complete the atmospheric dry-down.
The notes include eucalyptus steam, cardamom, orange blossom, cedar, Turkish rose, jasmine, cinnamon, mace, rosewood, benzoin, tonka bean, vanilla, incense, red sandalwood and guaicum wood.
Penhaligon's Elixir is available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette. Look for matching grooming products to launch later this year. (via penhaligons.co.uk, additional information via cosmeticsinternational, wwd)
Update: per Luckyscent, where Elixir is now available on pre-order, the perfumer for Elixir is Olivia Giacobetti.
Another update: see a review of Penhaligon's Elixir.
Sounds lovely except for “mace”. It can't be MACE the paralyzer spray – what is it?
As with all niche fragrances it will remain a dream – sigh –
Mace is a cooking spice along the lines of nutmeg.
This sounds like it could help clear up your nose if you have the sniffles.
I think I would like it as a massage oil, too.
With the eucalyptus steam, yes! Looking forward to trying it.
This sounds really nice. I LOVE the smell of eucalyptus, and yes it could be perfect for those stuffed-up-nose days. Can anyone tell me where in the US this brand (samples?) can be found? Or is it only available in the UK, as Robin's notes imply?
No, it will be in the US too. Penhaligon's has a US online store, although they don't have Elixir there yet, and Aedes carries the line. I think Luckyscent will have it too, and IIRC, there is still a Penhaligon's boutique in Saks in New York (and for all I know, they have it already). So we'll just have a bit of a longer wait, but we'll get it!
I love Hammam Bouquet, and while I see this is 'inspired' by it, I'm wondering how different this will be. Oh oh oh – Luckyscent has it on pre-order.
I might try this.
For some reason I really just do not like their bottles.
Robin, I just checked Luckyscent, they are taking pre-orders.
Thank you! Added that above.
Hammam Bouquet is one of the most original, most intriguing scents I've ever smelled. It is a men's fragrance, but this bottle really looks quite kitsch. Why this 19-fifties typeface? And is it a metal bottle? Looks funny though. The notes sound really nice, and all Panhaligon's I smelled seem quite natural so I'll give it a try. I bet they try to “modernise” Hammam, which is famous but I speculate doesn't sell (the “old gentleman” factor). Hope they never discontinue HB – in the KaDeWe a very nice saleswoman told me some years ago, she regretted to have taken it out of the range, but there was not enough demand for it.
Agree about the ribbon. I've never smelled any product from Penhaligons.
LOL! If everyone had been like you, R, my job would have been much easier when I used to work at Penhaligon's, 30 years ago. The ribbon had to go over the stopper (which wasn't round at the time) and around the neck of the bottle – it was incredibly fiddly. The ribbon was what most people liked best about the bottles.
Well, I must confess that I like P's bottles very much. Maybe I like their bottles better than most of their fragrances: they have such a lovely old fashioned look – I imagine them standing in a 19th century cabinet. The fragrance sounds intriguing, must try it! I had a great deception with P’s Lavandula: I was so excited about the lavender and the wonderful opening! I was reaching for my wallet. Luckily I waited: in the drydown I perceived a very strong liquorice-like note, so strong it almost overwhelmed me (liquorice or strong anise notes are a no- no for me) – However I must admit that I haven’t found liquorice among Lavandula’s official notes, nor in the reviews I read. Maybe my nose doesn’t work properly!
So does anyone know how Hamman Bouquet might smell on a woman? I confess it always looked intriguing to me.
Hey, if everyone was like me the whole world would be easier
Hey, I missed that entirely — thanks.
LOL!
Or maybe your nose does work and it really does smell like licorice — I've never smelled it so will be no help! As a general rule I like the bottles better than the scents too.
It's Olivia, it's jasmin, it's Penhaligon's, it's mine – or at least coveted.
Love Love Potion No.9, Malabah, Quercus and Lily&Spice.
And the bottles – wish they weren't SO expensive…
Hope you'll get a bottle then