British niche line Penhaligon’s has added two more (and reportedly, the last) fragrances to their Anthology collection (“breathing new life into fragrances from our archive”), Esprit du Roi and Eau Sans Pareil.
Esprit du Roi (shown) ~ "Originally created in 1983, Esprit du Roi returns as a lush woody citrus, heady with swirling scented foliage. Fresh tomato leaf, mint and raspberry leaf are combined with rich florals, warm woods and potent musks to create this masterpiece of contrasts." Developed by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour; additional notes include bergamot, mandarin, cedrat, davana, aldehydes, cardamom, clove, geranium, ylang ylang, jasmine, honeysuckle, vetiver, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, white musk, ambergris, oakmoss and Africa stone.
Eau Sans Pareil ~ "Originally created in 1988, Eau Sans Pareil has been transformed into a shimmering chypre. Opening with a giddy rush of sparkling fruits and sensual white flowers, Eau Sans Pareil is softened with sweet woods, elegant oakmoss and musks. Powdery, wistful and romantic." Developed by perfumer Beverly Bayne; additional notes include aldehydes, neroli, mandarin, bergamot, kumquat, raspberry, pineapple, cypress, pink pepper, tagetes, jasmine, rose, muguet, orris, ylang, orange blossom, liquorice, clove, patchouli, vetiver, cedar, vanilla, labdanum, benzoin and amber.
Penhaligon's Esprit du Roi and Eau Sans Pareil are available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette, £110 each.
(via penhaligons, found via style)
Both of these sound wonderful, especially for the almost overblown state of summer here. Penhaligons needs to put out a set with minis of this whole collection.
There is a set of 4 minis, but that’s all I’ve seen so far. Maybe now that they’re done, they’ll do a bigger set?
Put me down for Espirit du Roi. The notes sound very nice.
It does sound nice!
They both list oakmoss. Dare we hope?
Both of them actually sound nice, and the long lists of notes make me think that maybe they’re more complex than most of what we’re getting these days (if I never smell another transparent or aquatic scent it will be too soon). I’m not a rabid fan of Penhaligons, and know nothing of their Anthology collection, but they’ve done some nice things; Lavandula is an excellent masculine lavender, and Endymion is a lovely barbershop soap with a surprise coffee note tucked inside.
The Anthology collection is nice. And nicely done. But IMHO, it has not uncovered any lost masterpieces, and many of them have seemed like variations on classic Eau de Cologne.
I did love Elixir, but I’m a sucker for anything by Olivia Giacobetti.