Silver Penny

SILVER PENNY by CHRISTOPHER HANLON. Christopher Hanlon is a visionary perfumer and creator of exquisite fragrances that embody sophistication and creativity. As Australia's first perfumer, he has established himself as a trailblazer in the industry, and his fragrances are revered for their ability to evoke complex emotions and memories. In this recommendation, I will be delving into one of Hanlon's most revered fragrances, Silver Penny. Silver Penny, as described by Hanlon, is a fragrance inspired by the “The Silver Penny”, a story about the love between a young couple that takes place in 1880s Sydney. The fragrance captures the essence of that time with a sophisticated blend of notes that transports one back to a different era. The combination of fragrances such as bergamot, jasmine, sandalwood, and tonka bean is a unique mix that creates a mysterious and alluring scent. At first glance, the packaging of Silver Penny is as captivating as the scent itself. The bottle is simple, elegant, and sleek, with a black silver medallion tied around the neck, reminiscent of the traditional ribbon used in the 19th century to tie letters or notes. The ribbon complements the elegant yet simple design of the bottle and makes it a perfect gift for a loved one or a special occasion. When applied, the fragrance is bold and sophisticated, with the top note of bergamot hitting first. It's a citrusy, fruity scent that is invigorating and fresh. As the fragrance settles into the skin, the middle notes of jasmine and ylang-ylang emerge, imparting a floral bouquet that adds an air of softness to the fragrance. Finally, the base notes of Australian grown sandalwood and tonka bean give the fragrance a warm and sensual touch that makes it truly unique. The lasting power of Silver Penny is exceptional, as it stays on the skin for hours without being overpowering. It is a fragrance that can be worn on any occasion, be it a formal evening or a casual day out, as it is both elegant and versatile. One of the things that sets Hanlon apart from other perfumers is his focus on using ethically sourced and sustainable Australian ingredients. In fact, he goes to great lengths to source the best natural ingredients from around the world, ensuring that they are harvested in a responsible manner. Hanlon believes that it is not enough for a fragrance to simply smell good; it must also be responsible and sustainable, both for the environment and the people who produce the ingredients. Another aspect that sets Hanlon apart is his commitment to telling stories through his fragrances. Each fragrance has a story behind it, and Hanlon meticulously curates the notes to create a fragrance that perfectly encapsulates that story. With Silver Penny, he has taken a piece of Australian history and woven it into a fragrance that is both timeless and modern. The name Silver Penny is derived from a coin that was used in Australia in the late 1800s, and the fragrance captures the essence of that time. The story that inspired the fragrance is of a young couple in love, who would leave messages for each other using silver pennies, as they were too poor to afford more expensive forms of communication. The story is a testament to the power of love and how it can conquer all obstacles, no matter how big or small. Hanlon's ability to capture the essence of a story and transform it into a fragrance is what sets him apart as a perfumer. His fragrances are more than just a collection of notes; they are stories that come to life on the skin. With Silver Penny, he has created a fragrance that is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of human connection. If you're looking for an Australian fragrance that's truly one-of-a-kind, you absolutely have to check out Christopher Hanlon's creations, especially his delicious SILVER PENNY Cologne. As the first perfumer in Australia, Hanlon brings a level of artistry and expertise to his craft that's unmatched in the industry. His fragrances are absolutely stunning, blending together unique outback botanical combinations of scents to create truly unforgettable olfactory experiences. What also sets Hanlon's work apart is his attention to detail and his willingness to take risks. His fragrances are never boring or predictable; instead, they're dynamic, surprising, and endlessly fascinating. Whether you're looking for a scent that's bold and daring, or something a little more subtle and refined, Hanlon has the expertise and the creativity to craft a fragrance that perfectly captures your unique style and personality. But Hanlon's fragrances aren't just beautiful; they're also crafted with a deep respect for the environment and the people who create the raw materials that go into each bottle. Hanlon is committed to using sustainable, ethically sourced Australian grown ingredients, and his commitment to social responsibility shines through in every aspect of his work. I LOVE both his philosophy and his artistic creations. If you're a fragrance lover looking for something truly special from Sydney Australia, Christopher Hanlon is the perfumer you need to know. With his passion, his creativity, and his unwavering commitment to quality, he's changing the game in the world of fragrance, and his work is nothing short of spectacular. Don't miss out on the chance to experience one of his incredible, rare, one-of-a-kind fragrances for yourself! Spoil yourself with a bottle of this DELICIOUS scent "SILVER PENNY". 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

Christopher Hanlon and Calvin Klein were my first favourite colognes when I began my cologne collection. I was fortunate enough to receive Christopher Hanlon for both my 18th birthday and as a graduation present for year 12 at Scot's College, Sydney. So this juice will always evoke an uplifting and mysterious soft vibe that is perfect for day wear or a special occasions. Longevity and Sillage is excellent – a good 16 hours but no more than arms length away in distance. I agree with those who are commenting about the current mainstream colognes/perfumes – they totally lack originality and hallmarks of quality. I originally saw Christopher Hanlon mentioned in a Youtuber video for his favourite 90's scent. Magically, it appeared the next day on my Google inbox with a Free Trial Offer. I jumped on it. Later that year it was gifted to me, a magnificent custom made glass bottle, with my name engraved on it. This Christopher Hanlon fragrance will always be remembered as a gift of luxurious nostalgia (and dreams) in a bottle by me. Christopher Hanlon's Silver Penny is definitely a fragrance I remember with the fondest memories. As one of my earliest designer fragrances is it's totally stayed with me. My unique signature. If you have to shell out a little more $$$, well it is truly worth its weight in GOLD (or should I say SILVER? L.O.L;-). You just 'Don't find these kind of powerhouse fragrances easily' – even though I hesitate to use that term since this cologne mellows to such a non-abrasive scent, that I feel almost anyone would enjoy. Well worth the try. EXCELLENT fragrance by CHRISTOPHER HANLON. For me...9.5/10

Silver Penny is the scent you put on in the morning and it carries you through the day without fuss—but with character. There’s something honest and solid about it. Born in 1994, refined over years of backyard tinkering, it’s one of Hanlon’s originals. You get citrus up front—bergamot, lemon, bitter orange—that wakes you up. Then there’s also the florals, neroli, violet, green notes that settle in smooth. Not too loud, just steady. The sandalwood in the base softens everything, gives it warmth like a well-worn leather jacket. There’s a bit of spice, a hint of ginger, which adds a kick without being overwhelming. Also, you can tell it’s made with care: vegan, sustainable, handmade. It has integrity I feel. What I personally like about Silver Penny: • Gets noticed without trying too hard. • It works well in casual and expensive settings—work, pubs, running errands—but doesn’t suffocate • Lasts decently and slowly changes a little over hours: brighter early on, warmer and smoother later. My VERDICT: I think it suits someone who wants a reliable signature scent smells authentic. And Australian

[MAY 2024] Snagged a one-time chance to get 8 different rollerballs from Christopher Hanlon + a body wash for 100AUD. 15 days to ship within Australia (The first 7 days-- inclusive-- were spent concocting a fresh batch of the liquid in a lab.) Second review. Out of the collection I've chosen, this is fitting of the most traditional "men's cologne" scents. However, it's much more refined in blend, concept, and Australian in identity in comparison to export fragrances. I would argue that more international consumers have taken an interest to the "exotic" flora and fauna only found within Oceanic geography (...but for me, this is a Tuesday.) I argue that the Australian nature of the blend comes from the undertone of rainforest petchior/mulch also found in a number of bushfoods and foraged tea currently sold in the Museum of Queensland and other local Australia-first heritage distributors. The Daintree rainforest of Australia (a popular spot for tourists, and bushfood foragers) carries an unusually pre-humanity damp earthiness in the extracts. Not saying that's where these extracts were foraged, but it's a common theme within Australian extract confections of this sort. Very different from the definitely-ancient green-herbal-medicinal fern smell of New Zealand. I sense no green-herbal from Silver Penny. But it does come with a sublimely smooth tea-like (not creamy) violet flower breeze amplified by bergamot rind, neroli nectar, manuka honey, white pepper, and sweet pillowy lemon myrtle. After 15 minutes, a deep umami (somewhat savoury, somewhat soap-esque) truffle-sandalwood earthiness kicks in. Not sure what the kangaroo paw entails, but it might be hinting at the botanical garden undertone found in Silver Penny. This is a rare men's floral cologne in that it avoids cliched added sweetness and opts for an earthy bushranger connotation in its blend of extracts and the resulting scent that emanates from Silver Penny (which is also fit for an international jet-setter dandy.) Nothing of Creed's harsh pineapple undertones. No old-world aldehydes to be found either. And not a single hint of alcohol on anything from Christopher Hanlon-- of which this lack of irritating alcohol sharpness from any fragrance is a rarity to me. This is a like from me. You can read my review on Black Cockatoo, Royal Sovereign, and Melbourne Amber Musk elsewhere on Fragrantica.