• About
  • Login to comment
    • Bluesky
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Archives

BeauFort London Fathom V ~ fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 8 February 2017 16 Comments

Sailing by Moonlight by Albert Pinkham Ryder

There's nothing like smelling pungent, spicy, late-winter flowers in a cool and damp atmosphere. Right now, the inside of my poorly insulated house (here's to fresh air, wool sweaters and good health!) smells of the sweet box blossoms growing outside, and my front porch has a fragrance powerhouse in bloom — Edgeworthia. Plum blossoms are starting to open along the lake road I take into work each day...talk about flower-power, visual and scent-ual. Though it's officially still winter, I'm smelling "green" all around me. 

My first experience with the BeauFort London Come Hell or High Water collection was not a success, but by chance, Fathom V (another member of the Come Hell or High Water quintet) found me, and I'm glad it did — it's a perfect cologne for the chilled, wet and perfumed springs we enjoy in Seattle.

BeauFort London says Fathom V was inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest with its "images of violent weather, shipwrecks and magical islands". There's also talk of 'transformation,' 'metamorphosis' and the "eternally changing state of the sea, in constant flux between calm and wild". (I was upset I could not find an un-copyrighted J.M.W. Turner seascape to illustrate my post till I came across the spooky and wonderful painting by the spooky and wonderful Albert Pinkham Ryder.)

To me, Fathom V is more fougère than deep-sea aquatic, and that's OK.  

BeauFort London Fathom V

Fathom V begins with galbanum and tangy cumin (together these notes smell like fragrant grass or weeds, pulled up by the roots from damp soil). Into this mix comes an accord that reminds me of the massive, crumbling wooden barrier with its hefty pilings that separates my property from my neighbor's. This wall's wood crumbles in dry summer and smells of tar/creosote in wet weather; I swear I can also smell its thousands of big, rusty spikes and nails. If you've experienced the damp hull of a old wooden ship, Fathom V may bring that aroma to mind, too.

Fathom V's "aquatic" is not, to my nose, Calone or the like, but a quirky, semi-sweet mix of lily (of the valley) and spices (pepper and perhaps some anise and mint). Greens and cumin last into Fathom V's dry down, where two latecomers sneak in (smooth vetiver and dry moss).

The fact that my house is close to a lake and its watery aromas, and that I live in a city famous for its gardens and raindrops may be why Fathom V reminds me of my plants more than "sea-change" but if you're looking for a quality-smelling 'aquatic' — or a new-fashioned fougère — give it a try. 

BeauFort London Fathom V Eau de Parfum has good lasting power and sillage. The notes include earth, greenery, cumin, lily, black pepper, vetiver, moss, salt and aquatic accord. 50 ml is $150 at Indigo Perfumery or Twisted Lily. In the UK, it is £95 at Bloom Perfumery.

Note: top image is Sailing by Moonlight by Albert Pinkham Ryder via Wikimedia Commons. 

Possibly of interest

BeauFort London Force Majeure ~ new fragrances
BeauFort Absent Presence ~ new fragrance
BeauFort Acrasia ~ new fragrance

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: aquatic, beaufort london, fougere

Advertisement


16 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Jenkr says:
    8 February 2017 at 2:46 pm

    That sounds wonderful!

    Log in to Reply
  2. Kevin says:
    8 February 2017 at 3:18 pm

    Jenkr, I enjoyed it!

    Log in to Reply
  3. nozknoz says:
    8 February 2017 at 3:28 pm

    This brings to mind Hermes Epice Marine. BeauFort sounds about as far from JCE as one can get, but Fathom V and Epice Marine comprise a very small family of marine-cumin fragrances.

    I didn’t like Epice Marine, and you’re scaring me with tar and “thousands of big, rusty spikes and nails.” But I’m curious, too. 😉

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Noz…I find this much more wearable than EM!

      Log in to Reply
  4. MrsDalloway says:
    8 February 2017 at 3:50 pm

    That sounds lovely! I have the Bloom sample subscription this year so hoping it will pop up in a ‘new in’ slot.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 11:30 pm

      MrsD, here’s hoping a BeauFort or two will show up!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Rappleyea says:
    8 February 2017 at 4:50 pm

    This sounds interesting and different! Good review (and great picture). Thanks, Kevin!

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 9:20 pm

      Rappleyea, you’re welcome!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Koenigsberg says:
    8 February 2017 at 7:41 pm

    Now for me, Fathom V was far too “normal” for this house, even if it is original . I have Coeur de Noir and one day I’ll get Vi et Armis (even though it makes The Other Mr Koenigsberg feel sick). I can’t get on with the blood accord in 1805 Tonnère.

    Have you tried Lignum Vitae, Kevin? It’s the other newish Beaufort, a gourmand no less. :^)

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 9:22 pm

      Koenigsberg, nope…have just tried the four I’ve reviewed. The LV description did intrigue me

      Log in to Reply
  7. SheriG says:
    8 February 2017 at 10:05 pm

    Kevin, I grew up in Seattle (LONG ago) and have such envy – which lake are you near (if you don’t mind saying). Seattle is all lakes in some areas, and I miss that so much, lo these (egad) 45 years later. That “lake scent” is something I continue to sorely miss.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 11:27 pm

      Sheri, Lake Washington????

      Log in to Reply
  8. AngelaB says:
    8 February 2017 at 11:20 pm

    Kevin, I love the painting!! It is as compelling as your description of this fragrance. On my way to Twisted Lily to sample.
    Thanks for the great review!

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      8 February 2017 at 11:27 pm

      Angela, hope you enjoy it.

      Log in to Reply
  9. donanicola says:
    9 February 2017 at 8:47 am

    Well as an Englishwoman (and that is a pretty mongrel term) I do love Turner but I am happy you have introduced me to the wonderful A P Ryder. That is a fabulous painting and a quick peruse of other work via wiki reveals a very touching one of a dead bird. Anyway, the perfume. It sounds interesting and of a place – I like those sorts of scents. Will look out for it – great review, thanks, Kevin.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kevin says:
      9 February 2017 at 11:52 pm

      Dona…glad you like Ryder…love the bird portrait.

      Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

15 March ~ swapmeet

3 April ~ damage poll
26 April ~ splitmeet

3 May ~ spring reading poll
17 May ~ Haiku challenge!

 

Back to Top

Home
Archives
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Books

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2025 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.