No 89

It's simple, if you want to smell like a well dressed, cultured and articulate guy, this is your scent. It's for the gent who takes great care in their appearance, even if not wearing something formal. You are the type of man that doesn't try to look immaculate for attention or compliments but for self satisfaction and personal principles. You are the type of person that still does what is required, even when no one's around to see! It's an intricate scent for all seasons, situations and scenarios. It's has adequate strength, sillage and projection but that's not really why you acquire something like no.89....hopefully! It'll be a captivating skin scent by the end of the working day, by then of course you'll be ready to reapply if desired or transition to another fragrance thats more appropriate for your evening setting. You wear the Floris brand because you enjoy craftsmanship of the highest quality and tradition that's still more relevant than ever in a modern setting but most importantly, you like to make your mark in an understated fashion. Simply, you are an elegant, stylish and confident individual. If this is for you, you'll know from just a little research. For me, it was a blind buy! I rarely do such a thing but I love the notes and wear classic perfumery most of the time, friends also assured me this was a very safe bet as no.89 shares many qualities of my established favourites, so the risk was minimal. The notes are all here for you to peruse at the page heading, so it's not necessary to repeat but I just say it's truly a timeless, unique blend that exudes qualities rarely found in day to day life anymore. If you want something that's gentlemanly, possibly Dandy-ish but unforgettable, this scent will see you through the years without breaking stride. Whether business, formal, casual or anything in-between, it's hard to beat for the right kind of man. I've been very lucky to have found another fragrance that'll be considered everyday and worn often.

I’ve been on a bit of a mission lately trying to slim down my ‘daytime office’ fragrances to one or two per season, to remove some of the decision fatigue I was struggling with each morning! Having spent most of the summer wearing Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet in the office, I decided to look for something better suited to the Autumn months. As an Englishman, I find myself drawn to the classic, somewhat ‘austere’ English houses for my daytime wear – Penhaligon’s, Floris, Trumpers et al, whereas night time is where my heavier Tom Ford-esque fragrances tend to come out. It was this Autumn search which led me to buying my first bottle of No. 89 a few weeks ago. Initially, as was the case with my bottle of Floris’ Santal, I found it a little overpowering to the point that it gave me a headache and I began questioning whether or not I had made the right decision. However fast forward a couple of weeks (with more than a little olfactory fatigue likely playing its part) and I’m absolutely in love with this fragrance. As a daytime office scent for the colder months, I could do no better. No. 89 is crisp, complex and classic, with a healthy longevity provided the correct amount is used; I find 4 sprays to be the optimum number – 5 at a push. 6 is overpowering. I have all but abandoned my other Fall choice (Trumpers’ Eucris – another great fragrance) because I can’t bring myself to spend an entire work day not wearing No. 89. Pair this fragrance with a crisp white shirt, a good suit & a decent tie and you’ll feel several inches taller. My only challenge is going to be switching to something heavier for the winter months!

Ahh, the fragrance of James Bond (mentioned in the novels) and a favorite of Ian Flemming himself. It took me a long time to have the opportunity to try this! It didn't disappoint, but it didn't blow my mind either; It was -just right-. I had imagined it would be dated, unappealing, and perhaps even "old" smelling. However, it wasn't. Floris 89 is a very nice classic fresh English barbershop type scent, as one might expect. It is a classy concoction of aromatic citrus, florals, woods, and small hint of spices. The opening is fresh and vibrant but it eventually does dry down to a powdery scent. Being an avid wet shaver, I love barbershop type scents and so Floris 89 was right up my alley. However, if you despise powdery scents, this is not for you. Again, it doesn't open powdery, but it does dry down to a powdery scent. I think this scent would be perfect for a gentleman into the classics, and would be a great piece to own for all the Bond aficionados. Floris 89 is really a great fragrance and may even get you compliments in the opening. Are there other better classic barbershop fragrances? Yes. But this one is special to me for the James Bond connection. But be warned! When I smell Floris 89 I think of something Sean Connery, Roger Moore, or Timothy Dalton might wear, not Daniel Craig or even Pierce Brosnan. I must also add that I LOVE Eucris by Geo F. Trumper (James Bond's other canon fragrance). I prefer Eucris over Floris 89 and would recommend it first. However, they are very different and are not redundant. If I was Q and had to pick, I would assign Floris 89 to Roger Moore and Eucris to Sean Connery. :)

No. 89 is a gentleman's delight: a fresh cut, fresh shave, pocket square, loafers, and a pep in one's step. Who am I kidding? When have I ever been this man? I suppose its never too late, but for now, I am wearing No. 89 for just me, myself, and I, as I wear my WFH (work from home) attire of an Underarmor shirt and sweats. This is the beauty of fragrance. Do we really need to wear it for others, or can we be liberated from these expectations and just embrace it for our own ephemeral journey into reverie? My life has been a journey into reverie lately, so I will gladly take this No. 89 and wear the hell out of it. I'll revel in its classicism and aromatic panache! There is a starchy, powdery elegance that is the backbone of No. 89, with its lavender, rose and moss being its soul, and its musk and woods its spirit. There aren't any plot twists, no cliffhangers, no thought-provoking notes that attempt to provide 'interest.' It is unpretentious, and it's a relief from all the pedantry and artful braggadocio that fragheads navigate through, because of course this was made as more an artful utility than as an artful expression. It reminds me that all the thin slices of pie that are rationed out in this relatively new subculture that is called "fragcomm" can dilute the personal experience and render it needlessly self-conscious, vain, and hedonistic. It can also make the yearning more painful. It can really be quite exhausting. A fragrance like this sort of brings me back to center, and I am thankful for that.

Man I love this stuff. Bought recently some samples. First Parfum de Marley- Pegasus-Herods-Layton- Amouage Jubilation Mancera Black Gold Only liked Pegasus which I bought. Layton is simply horrible for me. Mancera Black Gold was interesting. Will reconsider it later. But overal, not impressed with these overly expensive fragrances. Than bought another 2 samples. Floris Santal & No 89. Santal has a great opening but after only a few minutes becomes lesser interesting for me. But Floris no 89 is really great. Used the sample during an entire week. Only had doubts how much to buy. Really lovely sophisticated scent from an era gone by. Clean, soapy barbershop. Was a bit afraid for its performances, with Chanel pour Monsieur EDT in mind which unless I peel my skin off I guess,is gone in 60 minutes. Floris no 89 however, has a good sillage for the first 2 hours or so and than another fine 4 hours closer to skin. But I still can smell it 10-12 hours later. Not bad at all for a citrus Summer fresh fragrance. So the big bottle is mine now. Been using it at least every other day since I have it. Out of the 20 I bought in the last 2 months. A lesser thick on vanille version of Habit Rouge. HB performs better but its citrus is more old school and the sweet vanilla can sometimes be a little too much. Almost sickening. Floris is the more sophisticated of the 2. But in the end I love both just as much. Floris for the warmer days. Habit Rouge for cooler Spring/Summer days/nights but it works even in Winter.

I have been wearing this for a few years now and I think most of the reviews here are spot on. This fragrance is for a slightly older crowd. It was conceived in the same era as Guerlain Vetiver, Givenchy Monsieur and the parallels are striking. This is a really refined and complex frag that wants to be paired with a suit and will work well all year, although maybe best in Spring, Summer and early fall. It opens with a huge blast of Bergamot, Orange and Neroli which dissipates very quickly and settles into petit grain, soft rose/florals, nutmeg, lavender and orange rind. I don't really get any of the listed base notes here like musk or woods. To me, it stays in the mid notes and lingers there with a mild clean powderiness for many hours. The longevity of this is quite good for a citrus scent, which means that if I put it on at 7am, I can still smell it on me at dinner time. But sillage is weak, so it is mostly a scent you wear for yourself and those you let close enough to touch your skin. For some, that will be a deal breaker, but if you are a confident man that doesn't require compliments to feel better about himself, this is sufficient, especially if you spend a lot of time at work where you don't want to distract others from your professional achievement. This is one of the great British Masterpieces IMO and in the same league as Floris Special 127, Pen's Blenheim Bouquet. It is a niche fragrance that also has designer appeal despite vastly better ingredients.

Here's a traditional man's scent: a spicy, slightly floral fougere, with some wood already evident in the opening. Santos meets Azzaro, with a little bit of Trumper's Marlborough. It has the usual anise, but it's well-buried among the other bracing aromatic herbs. Possibly a little violet as well. It hints at heavy floral darkness, as seen in Van Cleef and Arpels, but never fully heads in that direction. What's strange to me about this scent is that I recognize so many parts of it, but I'm not quite sure where to file it away mentally: with the green scents, the barbershop spice, the masculine florals, or even the sweet orientals because a bit of vanilla pokes its head out during the base notes. Breathing warm air over my test spot brings out an amazing orange-blossomy vanilla, which if it were stronger would be as interesting as Endymion, or as Caron PUH's vanilla, minus the powder. The final base notes are mostly just expensive soap, but very convincing and not feminine at all, like a hint of Richard James. Even though I don't like the middle phase so much, I'll give it a thumbs-up for its boggling, chameleon complexity, and for hiding feminine notes so harmoniously in certain places in the base. Intriguing.

My Fellow Fragranticans Unlike most of my collection, this one lives at the back of the cupboard in its box (great packaging!). It gets wheeled out maybe once or twice a year. Yes I love it, but I like to keep it a bit special so I choose not to wear it too often. As a treat I spritzed this morning - and though I wear it sporadically - I am a very generous sprayer. Now I've got a spring in my step and it makes me feel super well dressed (the perfect finishing touch to summery chinos, polo and sneakers) - by golly it's just lovely! Its present but not cloying or thick and intrusive. A subtle citrusy cologne vibe without the zestiness - smells so fresh, clean and musky. My collection of stinky is a bit outta control - hmmm addiction? You will see that I tend to go for quite dense and meaty scents - bit odd since I live in the tropics! While it is very hard to choose, this is definitely in my top 10 (maybe even top 5). On my 3rd bottle, highly recommended and a safe blind buy (I cannot see how anyone would be offended or turned off by this scent). Best wishes Get Carter

One of my all-time favorite fragrances and to me the perfect fresh out of the shower clean spring and summer scent. Opening hour is awesome. Citrus and rose. With adequate sprays provides good projection. Skin scent about 3 hours in. Dry down is common. Sandalwood and powdery. Just a bit of musk. Good skin scent at 8 hours. It’s not an epic performer, but I love it enough that it’s the only of my fragrances I’ve purchased a pocket atomizer for. Fantastic with lunch touch up. It’s not complicated and just a tad barber shop old fashioned. Yet if you love that vibe it’s perfect. Very cost effective as well. Check the discounters!!! Update: Returning to this review 8 months later to report that this fragrance has really matured in the bottle. It has grown in strength and concentration and while all the notes above still apply, I get a solid 8+ hours with it now. The opening remains barber shop clean and fantastic, floral and citrus and a hint of talc. The drydown really shines now with a musky sandalwood that is wonderful. Very complex and balanced. A great composition.

"He would have to send a cable to May to get things fixed. Let’s see – flowers, bath essence from Floris, air the sheets;" wrote Ian Fleming in his 1956 James Bond novel, Diamonds Are Forever. As the English author was known to love Floris, the 1951 arrival of No. 89, the house's first menswear cologne, would have made him see diamonds everywhere, forever. And just like diamonds, 89 is an acquired taste. While it's unobtrusive, respectful, and incredibly elegant, its fougére nature might be too old-fashioned for today's ambroxanified generation. The sandalwood might be too jarring for those who seek a classic barbershop scent, and the lavender too powdery for those who like it warm and intense. I like that 89 is unobtrusive, respectful, and incredibly elegant. This is what you wear to a daytime meeting with important people: investors, board directors, your father-in-law. Use it on your pocket square, as it does very well on fabric--and flaunt your taste, knowing you're carrying a venerated forefather of all the fougéres, chypres, and citruses of the world.

Picture this: it's a crisp spring morning, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, and you're gearing up for a round of morning tennis. What fragrance do you reach for? Floris 89, hands down. This men's classic is like bottled morning freshness. But here's the kicker: Floris 89 isn't just your average fragrance. Tt's a chameleon that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws its way. Whether you're in England, where the weather's as unpredictable as ever, or on the USA East Coast, from northern Maryland to breezy Maine, Floris 89 holds its own, blending in like it was made for the scenery. Floris 89 will also thrive in the dry heat of Sonoma and Napa Counties in California, its woody undertones mingling perfectly with the vineyard vibes and sandy earth. In certain climes, once the sun sets, Floris 89 can transform into a sophisticated evening scent. From the Florida Keys to Kingston, Jamaica, this fragrance has the ability to add warm freshness to a stale evening when fried food and low tides are wafting around. 8.5/10

89 is an extremely well crafted fragrance, very british and proper. It opens up with a blast of citrus & lavender which creates a very classic cologne & barbershop vibe. The citruses fade quickly though, what’s left is a very quiet, dusty conservative sandalwood/rose/nutmeg basenote. This is meant as a signature scent imo, it projects a certain aura of cleanliness & sophistication around you people will not instantly associate with a perfume. The scent kind of becomes part of you and people will remember it. Be aware tough: it is VERY reserved and calm, one could say shy or conservative. Panties will stay in place, this is not meant to WOW anybody or seduce women. It’s the ultimate understatement for someone who doesn’t need to make a loud statement with his perfume. Performance for me was surprisingly good. 8+ hours with mild to medium projection. You tend to forget about it when wearing it though because its quiet and calm structure. Maybe that’s why a lot of people rate it low in performance.

This is truly a men's fragrance. A typical fougère that belongs to male grooming. Very masculine and reminds me of generic aftershaves and shaving soaps and balms. Can get away with wearing eau sauvage, sauvage and guerlain vetiver but this is I am afraid not my cuppa at the moment. This is intense though and would perfectly suit a gentleman. Going to pass of this bottle to someone worthy of this. In the store when I tested it it did not appear so harsh. Special 127 is more citrus intense and though I liked it I fully understood that I would not like to wear it. But between 127 and 89 the former is far better palatable for ladies. Neroli voyage, JF and Elite are far more wearable by ladies. The lavender and cedar have been mixed to compliment a man. It is clean thanks to the musk. The opening hurls lavender at your face with the citrus. It also has an animalic note to it at the opening. At the 15th min mark this has calmed down to reveal the sandalwood.

OK so I am a woman who wears this. The SA told me it's unisex and she wasn't wrong. This is completely old school: Shalimar/Chanel No.5/L'Aimant from yester-year. It opens with a citrus note (Shalimaresque)and blooms into L'aimant with Chanel No.5 overtones. I really like this. It's not a powerhouse but having said that, having this close to the skin makes it sensual rather than the modern vogue of gargantuan sillage. Don't get me wrong - as a lover of Angel - I do love the big noise perfumes too, this is, however, a really lovely change from such ginormous perfumes. I would be inclined to recommend this to women. Although I confess I hesitated when the SA said it was unisex because it's listed as a male fragrance but then I wear Eau Sauvage and Habit Rouge without considering the demographic they are aimed at. All in all, a great fragrance and perfect with the matching shower gel.

A classic gentlemen scent for sure. Guys, don't listen to the typical unisex claims. It seems like every man's scent nowadays is called unisex to increase the sales. Nonsense. If Floris wanted to make this unisex to boost sales they would have. But they didn't. And I respect them for that. This is a gentleman cologne that feminine women don't wear because they prefer to smell it on a man. Of course, I'm talking about women of Eastern Europe and Asian women in Asia (Not America). I found many Western woman want to smell like a man which I find rather strange. To each their own I guess. Bottom line, if you are a dude, a born male, and you enjoy classic scents for a gentlemen that will remind you of your dad and grandad, a time when men were men, and women were ladies. Look no further. Floris 89 is perfect for Russian men, Mainly because Russian women are still feminine... thank God!

I was intrigued to hear that this is, allegedly, what James Bond would have worn. On further research, it appears that it was actually Ian Fleming's preferred cologne. It's difficult to source in Australia so I had my cousin, who was living in London, get me a bottle. Well, I am half way through my second bottle and I hope it's never discontinued. It's citrus and light florals with an enduring musk note base and is unlike anything I have smelled before. On a personal level, it evokes reading musty Ian Fleming Pan paperbacks on summer hols as 12 year old. But it is not strictly gender/age specific either; my 7 year old daughter has "played" with it a few times. It's a little different because of her skin but lovely nonetheless. I find that it's neither particularly "manly" or "girly", it just smells really good.

I recently blind bought a 50 ml bottle of this and it took a day or two for me to understand it, since I'm a bit new to this whole thing. But there's something about it I've come to really like. I'm having a hard time describing it because it's sweet without either being zesty or cloying. It absolutely needs to be tried on skin though, because if you get some directly on your clothes it really doesn't work. It's just something nice which you can wear all day and it becomes part of you. Try a sample first though, if you're not used to the older style of scent (as I wasn't). I get the feeling it was developed back when it wasn't necessary for a scent to grab you immediately off a testing strip in a department store.

I tested this one yesterday and enjoyed it from first sniff. Then I let it breathe and develop and started loving it. I doubt that those comments below that criticise this one really understood it. Some of the comments below remind me of raveheads attending a classical concert and then complaining about feeling "uncomfortable", finding it "bloody horrible". This one is, in short, one of the classical dandyesque scents. If you regard dandyism as outdated, then you may also refer to this one as old fashioned. Perhaps it is. True, there are modern interpretations of dandyesque fragrances around. However, I doubt that any modern dandy can ever do wrong wearing this one. ****

I have been wearing this for many years now. I recently went to the Floris shop on Jermyn Street to buy a new 50ml travel bottle. While Floris always has some bottle and batch variation, this new bottle feels like there has been a reformulation, but not necessarily for the worse. I notice that the rose/florals in the middle have been severely weakened. Instead, there is a more pronounced citrus top and middle. Not sure yet if this a reformulation isue or the fact that the juice is brand new and it will develoo with age...but it is very different from prior batches and I have bought all my bottles directly from the store on Jermyn Street.

This is not a fragrance to write home about. The type of gentleman this was intended for would consider that vulgar. He's one who expects this fragrance to serve a clearly defined purpose: smell unobtrusively decent, as an English gentleman should. Fresh citrus on top for a morning perk up, settled before the Georgian door of his home snaps shut behind him. Subtle rose and soft spices for the office. Quietly stated quality, no surprises. Like the crisp white Sea Island cotton shirt by Turnbull & Asser and the pinstripe suit by Anderson & Shepherd he's wearing. From a bygone era, but nice to have around.