English Fern

English Fern starts with a sharp, almost medicinal, tone but quickly calms down to a soft green fresh scent. Great longevity for a cologne, outlasts some EDT's, silage is soft but creates a nice "scent bubble" around you. I think this is quite classy, to me feels very organic. would be a great fit for an outdoors person (as someone who grew up in Ireland I like green scents as they remind me of where I grew up). I find it combines well after a shower with Irish Spring soap. RobbieX is spot on, you will want to put some of this into a smaller atomiser, this cologne comes in a massive 250ml as is incredible value for money. As Angel in the South mentions below this should be marketed as Unisex, i think a fella wearing this would stand out as it is different to a lot of the scents that dominate the mainstream market, has the impression that it was compiled from a herb garden, really natural, a fragrance for a gentleman who doesn't need to announce himself. I also would find this very attractive on a woman due to how natural it smells. Nice! :)

This is James Bronnley's take on the fougere genre and to me it doesn't disappoint. It's traditional, restraint, perhaps a bit conservative, inoffensive, unpretentious and totally unisex. May probably not appeal to a younger crowd but has gained a long time fan base to mature enthusiasts. Fresh green top notes with a coumarin / lavender heart and a woody / mossy base that has the signature fougere blueprint as the name suggests. Although classified as a cologne the Longevity is closer to the strength of a Edt with moderate sillage. Interestingly it still contains the Evernia Prunastri extract better known as Oakmoss, so people who are sensitive or allergic to it may want to avoid. As has been noted in previous reviews, this 250ml elegant glass bottle is a great bargain for the price. In my books this is a real gem that has instantly become a favorite. Last but not least, it has the Royal warrant of appointment to HM The Queen. As the saying goes: if it's good enough for Her Majesty, it's certainly is good enough for me!

First, I love how the "this perfume reminds me of" section of Bronnley's English Fern is EMPTY. THAT'S RIGHT! there is nothing, in my experience and opinion, which comes close or resembles EF. This is a truly unique scent. That said, it may be a cologne of the past, but not necessarily in a bad way - especially in this day and age where we are resuscitating all sorts of vintage fragrances. The notes listed here left me wondering whether something was left off. I detect a strong and distinct liquorish note ... too precise not to be listed. Is it just me? Longevity and sillage (depending on weather and body temperature) can be MONSTROUS especially on clothes and if you get some on your watch leather strap ...forget it, it's going to be there FOREVER (but damn, that's such a good combination of smells that you will find yourself smelling your watch over and over) I truly believe that if this had been released under TF Private Blend and named Tousled Seed or other, people would have paid 200 pounds for a 50ml bottle.

I really do not understand why this is being targeted just for men. I have used the Bronnley Fern products since I first found them in the 80`s. I find this range of products to be wonderfully clean and fresh smelling. I worked in a London hospital and wore Fern. It is an uncomplicated unisex smell and I love it. I use to layer the soap, talc and body lotion. I do not know if it has been reformulated and is specifically targeted for the male population as I have not been able to buy it for some years now. Very inexpensive and uncomplicated for every day use. Well worth trying if you love clean, green, fresh smells.

BEF is a fragrance of its own, very unusual. In terms of smell, the best way to convey what it is like is to imagine a Caron pour un Homme with a HEAVY (and I mean HEAVY) dose of patchouli (reinforcing the minty/woody/green/medicinal aspect of lavender) and sandalwood. It smells more "upscale" than it is. I believe it is much more masculine than feminine. Don't be fooled: it is not a "cologne" in terms of projection and duration and a little goes a LONG way. It is not a particularly "fresh" fragrance so it would not work in very warm climates. In sum: very nice, inexpensive, and original.