Special 127

This is it, the smell of Guy Gisburne. Everything went splendidly well this time... but not for Robin Hood. Sir knight came out of the forest. He killed, he destroyed, he etc., because luck's not with heroes 24/7, what's for baddies, huh? So he came out of the forest, this antihero, named Gisburne. He smelled to the bone, but not of grass like Yesenin wrote (well... of grass too, if I count those kinds growing in the forest). He smelled of the forest, down to the whisper of trees, the land, the water, the light and the shade, yes. And he smelled of Robin Hood's blood that was drying up a bit on his sword. He smelled of horse skin that he wore, just like in the ballad. He smelled of sweat. I kinda don't know why, maybe killing isn't always an easy job for guys of gisburnes, or it's just the weather: a hot day, and sir Guy was in a hurry, to get out of the forest. To go where? To see her, of course. After all, there are other very rewarding ways in life, beside killing off robin hoods. So sir smelled the right way, the diagonal and what have you, nice and real. He walked, and the scent walked with him, sometimes getting ahead of the knight, sometimes riding him, sometimes lagging behind. And Gisburne picked a flower for his lady at the stream, and he took it to her, and did not lose it on the way. The flower got bruised a bit, but the knight tried hard, and held it as carefully as possible, but those gentle petals got drying blood, all the forest smells, the sweat, the horse skinness stuck to them anyway. The lady didn't find it a bad thing, though. She was glad to see the knight she loved, and the flower was a nice present to her. As for Robin Hood, dead and covering the flower with blood... something's telling me this lady thought that somebody else was a hero, not Robin.

One of my favorite fragrances. Opens with a sharp bergamot and orange peel note that adds lavender, neroli and lily (ylang ylang) in the middle notes and stays there for the most part. I know this is supposed to have patchouli and musk base notes, but I simply don't get those, at least not in any noticeable amount. What makes this so awesome is that the simplicity of ingredients in this scent still create an incredibly complex fragrance that is equally appropriate at the office or on a weekend day puttering around the home. I get that there is a certain similarity between this and No 89, but I don't think it is pronounced. Special 127 lacks the heavy powder that No 89 brings. There is also far more orange peel (verging on Grapefruit) in the citrus notes, and the florals are geared towards the lily rather than rose in No89. Both great scents, but ultimately different IMO. The only downside is that performance is relatively poor, even by Floris standards. I would put sillage at "soft" and longevity at "moderate". This frag is to be applied if you get out of the shower and head out of the house immediately thereafter.

A brilliantly blended citrus aromatic from a true pedigree perfume maker. The blend is perfect for me, Special 127 is a realistic, juicy, citrus which isn't too sharp, petitgrain and a hint of lavender. There's a white/yellow floral hint in there from ylang and neroli which adds a bit of body without being dominant and a hint of musk. This is a perfectly balanced classic cologne (well EDT) fragrance which is light and effervesant. I can't really speak to performance because I hardly applied any and it lasted about as well as I'd expected...by that I mean...not very. I'd say it's average juice but the citrus lasts quite well not just as top notes and changes on my skin. Floris make some good fragrances and the price is very reasonable, I'd recommend 127...it's nice.

Very sprightly and vivacious. Powdery, zesty, soapy (and highly aromatic like No.89) I got this together with Santal today. I cherish some of the perfumes from this house as much as I cherish my Chanels, Guerlains, Diors and have come to respect English perfumes. I will always remember that aeroplane scene from Scent of a Woman where Al Paccino guesses the perfume worn by the stewardess to the utter amazement of young Chris O'Donnell.

From the realistic hit of freshly peeled orange in the opening to the faint musky drydown this is my favourite fragrance. I go through at least a bottle a year, because I splash it around like holy water at an exorcism. Citrus, soapy, and musky with just a hint of flowers. A terrific, masculine use of neroli. If 127 and Santal were the only fragrances I could own I'd be satisfied. Well, there are perhaps 18 or 67 others, but still...