Each scent is said to tell a compelling story. I think this is going to be a fantastic journey. They sent me eight from the “Short Story Collection” and one extra.
I’ll try one a day all day, so you don’t have to.
-DJEisel
Zoologist Camel
Zoologist Camel
Perfumer: Christian Carbonnel.
Top notes: Spice, subtly sweet fruit, and frankincense. Underneath: Soft vetiver, amber, and myrrh. Mid-day: Very nice changes as it softens to sweet vanilla with powdery spice. Camel is the scent you would imagine if you were with a caravan transporting frankincense and myrrh through the hot sand along desert trade routes. It is also the scent you would expect touring the archaeological site of Petra or strolling among the ancient pyramids. Longevity is excellent; it lasts all day into the evening.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
Coming Soon: House of Zoologist “Greatest Hits” Sample Set
We try one a day all day, so you don’t have to.
The house of Zoologist has a fascination with animals. Their colognes resemble something about each offering. I am especially looking forward to trying Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Penhaligon’s Sartorial
Sartorial
Definition: Relating to tailoring or style. “Sartorial elegance”
Penhaligon’s marketing description: “A fragrance for a new generation of gentlemen, inspired by the scents of the workroom at Norton & Sons, bespoke Tailors of Savile Row”
Top notes: Spicy moss, steamed fabric with a slightly honey pop. Underneath: Beeswax, chalk, spice, herbs, and a metallic vibe.
Brings to mind an old tailors shop I visited in Venice Italy several years ago where you pick the material, and they make a custom fit suit. Classy and refined. Sartorial would be the ideal cologne for special occasions, always keeping in mind that for a true gentleman every day should be a special occasion.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet
Blenheim Bouquet
This was the second cologne from the house of Penhaligon’s first produced in 1902. The best information we have suggests it was made for Lord Randolph, Winston Churchill’s father, whose residence was Bleinheim Palace. Sir Winston Churchill was a fan of Bleinheim Bouquet. Top note: Lemon, lavender. Underneath I get pine and wood notes. Crisp, clean, and refreshing. This scent takes me to the turn of the century in London. If you close your eyes, you can almost hear horses clopping and boats on the Thames announcing their arrival. I also had a flashback of a hotel concierge. It was at the London County Hall hotel on Westminster, and they know how to care for a gentlemen traveler. Every morning when I arrived in the lobby, I would be greeted with a newspaper, fresh-squeezed orange juice a scone and a pleasant “What would you like to do today sir.” Wow, so many memory’s from one scent. That’s why I love reviewing cologne. Longevity is an issue with this one, so put it on heavy or reapply throughout the day. You should try Penhaligon’s, Bleinheim Bouquet. You will be glad you did.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
Penhaligon’s Bayolea
Bayolea
Top notes: Citrus mandarin, tangerine, and lemon. Underneath: Mossy spice and clean, fresh linen, black pepper and lavender. Bayolea has a crisp freshness. It reminds me of walking through gardens at Versailles on a warm afternoon with all of the scents of the gardens combined with orange blossoms in bloom.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling
Juniper Sling
Top Notes: Gin and juniper. Underneath: Citrus and cinnamon. Very clean, pure masculine cologne. It has an old-time edge to it. It is something straight out of the 1920s. Juniper Sling is the scent I would expect on a gentleman who just motored up in a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost wearing the leather driving hat, goggles, long leather jacket, and gloves. If you’d like to give off the impression that you just stepped out of a time warp from the roaring twenty’s, this one is for you.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
Penhaligon’s Endymion
Endymion
Endymion is a modern style cologne from the house of Penhaligon’s. The 130-year-old perfumery has a new trick up their sleeve, and it’s named after a mythical Greek king. Top notes are fruity citrus. Underneath it is spicy, earthy, sage, bergamot, and coffee. Endymion is neck and neck with Blenheim Bouquet my two favorites from the house of Penhaligon’s.
I had a great time sampling this product.
– D. Eisel
House of Penhaligon’s Men’s Collection Review.
“We will try one a day -All day- so you don’t have to.”
House of Penhaligon’s history:
A Cornish Barber traveled to London and opened up shop next to Jermyn Street’s finest tailors and received a royal warrant. It was a time when being a gentleman was the goal, and a gentlemen’s club was an honorable establishment. That sounds just like our Gentlemen’s Cologne Review Club.
The house of Penhaligon’s started in 1870, and they still run the outfit in the UK. They even use the original bottle design.
We are very excited to get started reviewing each cologne. We will tell you what the initial top note is, what visions it brings to mind, the longevity, and how it changes mid-day. Let’s get cracking.
Mancera Aoud Violet
Aoud Violet
Top note: I get a substantial opening of agarwood. To me, this has the wrong aspect of aoud/oud/agarwood. I find it to be rubbery and bitter. I also get the unappealing note from sticky cannabis resin that stays on your hands after trimming weed all day. I can not detect any violet in this scent even though it is in the name. Mid-day: There is an excellent base to this scent, and I thought it would come through, but unfortunately, it did not. The top notes would not give way to complexity underneath. At the price point that they are asking for “Aoud Violet,” I would not expect to smell like the tire rack on gasoline ally. Longevity is not an issue with this. It will last into the evening. This is probably someone’s favorite cologne, but it is not the one for me. I will not be rocking this one again.
– D. Eisel
