Londoner W11

This goes against nearly every instinct I have but when you like a fragrance...you just like it. This is the first I've tried from this collection and the first from the house for that matter and I'm oddly impressed. This is perfectly described here (as not many are) as a Floral woody musk for me the emphasis is on musk in the opening it's strong but not overpowering and just sour enough to be interesting. Then the bouquet of assorted florals peeps it's head out, not that I can tell specifically but apparently freesia, ylang ylang and violet leaf. I'll go with that, I can definitely get a bit of the violet leaf actually and these are florals I can live with. Then there'e the base and I can't say I can detect oud but there's something there which is woody and grounding this entire scent. My first fear was that this would be too feminine but I'd actually say it leans toward the butch side of unisex. The musk and woods actually conspire to make this a very fresh but manly scent, I really do. Oh and before I forget, The first time I tried this fragrance on my hand, I didn't get any spice but upon actually wearing it the very opening, W11 does indeed have a spicy pimento note. It seems to dissipate quickly but perhaps it lingers and combines with the musk to create this very manly, Greco-Roman wrestler vibe I get from this scent. The more it dries down and the florals calm down the more I like it, I can't think of what it smells like but this is by no means original. In fact has a very old skool feeling to it like a stripped back Quorum or less animal Kouros...I just can't place it. I like it...and I'm really surprised because I had some preconceived Ideas about these scents. Longevity is okay and you can tell it's quality stuff but could do with a little more of the umph from the dry down in that flowery opening. Update; Scratch that 'Longevity is OK...' nonsense...Longevity is legendary on this. The scent stops projecting and dies down but doesn't disappear for a very very long time. The drydown is clean but still slightly animal...I really really like this perfume...who'da thunk it?

Opens like the love child of Bond No.9 Cooper Square and Dior Fahrenheit. It has a barbershop quality similar to Cooper Square but spicier, and the violet leaf adds a hint of gasoline (like in Fahrenheit). All of this is on a woody musky base and rounded out by a touch of fruity black currant and sweet ylang-ylang. After about 30 minutes, the pimento and fruit give way to the freesia which keeps a hint of spiciness and adds a touch of powder to the woody musk base which dominates the length of the fragrance. The oud here isn’t offensive and you would be hard pressed to identify it as oud – it’s just a nice woody base. Projects quite well for the first hour or so and has great longevity, I get 9+ hours on my skin every time. Overall a nice woody, musky and slightly floral scent. For the price I paid I’m happy to have it in my collection.

Exciting contemporary aroma! I love the sparkling opening with gorgeous floral accents. It dries down to a great woody accord, ripe with oud, enlivened by black current. The notes all blend to form a very appealing scent. Sillage and longevity both great! I had so many compliments! Ran into 7-11 and everyone in the store came over to smell my perfume! Great for anytime, but this summer heat is really bringing out the beauty of its notes on my skin - including the pimento berry that turned out to be a new favorite. Despite being described as a floriental inspired by 'the vintage glamour of the '30's', it has an au courant, in vogue quality that gives the feeling of being out front in fashion. Love it!