Penanggal

PENANGGAL is a sultry hymnal: a tribute to the dense, almost poisonous night-blooming scents of the tropics. It takes its inspiration from a terrifying vampire-like entity from Malay folklore of the same name. A malevolent spirit who flies in the darkness, a detached head seeking to feast on human blood. This composition is dense and heady, with Calamansi, Elemi, Pomelo, Papaya, Mandarin, Coriander Seed, Ginger opening green, fresh and uplifting, before descending into a heart of toxically indulgent Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine sambac, Broom, Frangipani, Magnolia and Linden blossom. The base notes of this perfume are Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Amber, Musk, Clove, creating a creamy, animalic and sweet amber base. The fragrance recalls late nights in Asian gardens, the sound of birds and animals, and the scent of plants carried on the breeze. This is not a carefree petty trifle, but rather a slightly sinister suggestion of nocturnal mystery and magic. This is perfume evocation of White Lotus Thailand. You can almost smell the insects chirping as you wear it. This perfume remains extremely wearable and, with its floral focus and musky sandalwood base, has a distinct classic/vintage profile, especially due to its slightly bosomy, sexy animalics in the base. Get it while it’s hot. And toxic.

This is not your typical cologne/perfume. I usually go for Chanel Bleu, Dior Sauvage, Davidoff Cool water and Versace Dylan Blue. Not very adventurous, I know. Penanggal is one on first smell I tend to stay clear from, as it is unfamiliar to me. The scent hits me with a strong floral and woody smell. I must admit, given my uncultured sense of smell, my body was unsure of how to process the notes within this concoction. Time, has been my best friend, for the more I smell and use it, the more it grows on me. I ponder the thought, if this has awaken something in me, that I am no longer the same person prior to discovering Penanggal. I write this as I excitingly look forward to another release from Grimoire Parfums, that could change me once again. Worth the curiosity.

Wow. Let's set the scene here! Imagine sitting in a lush tropical garden under a warm, humid night sky - the air thick with jasmine (sampaguita), ylang ylang, frangipani and magnolia. These heady florals dominate, blooming with a realism so vivid it borders on hallucinatory. White florals can be hit or miss for me as I often dislike the “dirtiness” that too much indole can bring, but there’s none of that here whatsoever. Here they're equal parts seductive and sweet, so photorealistic that I feel transported straight into this intoxicating place. I can't get over how potent the sampaguita is, every sniff of my wrist nearly made my eyes roll back into my head with just how narcotic it is. Strangely to me the fruits take a back seat in the opening but they are there, adding a lovely brightness to the otherwise dense, dreamy haze of the florals. There's a slight dustiness here too, grounding the composition just enough to stop it from becoming overwhelming. It’s as if the garden itself is alive; if you can resist losing yourself entirely to its temptation, it welcomes you deeper into what feels like a sacred, enchanted place. As the scent settles the base emerges like a slow exhale. Sandalwood and musk envelop you in something both cozy and transcendent. The oakmoss and amber add some quiet structure, and the faint touch of clove gives a soft aura of warmth. Penanggal is sensual and deeply evocative, it feels both human and divine. This perfume is four for four on delivering an exceptional balance between storytelling and wearability. Another fantastic creation from Troy/Trung at Grimoire.