A Kiss Of Bliss

A Kiss of Bliss resembles nothing so much as the original Anais Anais in a revised and modern interpretation with a significantly paired down note profile (modern techniques mean that 20 notes are no longer required). This is why it immediately evokes a nostalgic impression.... The note profile maps onto the spine of Anais Anais fairly faithfully in its essence. Bergamot; greenish opening, a simplfied floral heart with the jasmine and heliotrope aggregating in a kind of shorthand the essential floral facets, with matcha replacing the orris root/geranimum/iris powdery accord - giving it a much more wearable and modern demeanour. The base again is simplified to its essence of musk, oakmoss and patchouli providing the greenish, airy woodsiness paired back slightly, as modern tastes do not run to oakmoss so readily as they did 40 years ago. There is no "gourmand" facet to this despite claims to the contrary. This is a green, powdery, warm floral like AA. The warmth is brought froward with the addition of powdery matcha which duplicates Anais Anais' light, airy, tea-like spring accord but adds a light gloss of youthful, cozy sweetness which is the key to the revision of the AA profile. Anais Anais was very popular because it took the 70s chypre-concept and modernised into a pretty daytime floral wearable by a younger generation of women for whom full-on oakmoss/civet chypre had become somewhat dated. Its a very clever interpretation by Penhaligons; the grandaughter of Anais Anais retaining that essential DNA - comforting and nostalgic, recalling an innocent, girlish youthfulness....

This flirts with being soapy without "going there" in the best way. I say that as someone who hates soapy smells. It flirts with being musky without being musky. I hate musky scents. It flirts with being green without quite being green... Everything about this screams I should hate it, but I love it. It is exceptionally well blended and balanced. I've never smelled anything like it and yet there's something nostalgic about it. None of that was helpful I'm sure - I think the key here is the bergamont, matcha, patchouli combination. Those are the three notes that I think I'm getting, and each is counterbalancing a note I normally can't stand. (Jasmine, musk, and moss.) I think that's what's so interesting. I can smell the moss and musk, but they are pleasant in this blend. The musk and moss never get the chance to go "dirty" or "earthy." This is surprisingly clean without being astringent. I don't think it's a safe blind buy at all. I love this entire line and think the sample pack with all five is worth it if you are just into smelling new things and aren't near any stores where you can smell in person. (Luckily this line is at Nordstroms and those are fairly common to come by.) I wouldn't wear this during the day as it leans heavy and does project a bit. Not an office scent. Not a warm weather scent, it would project too much. Great cold night scent. There's something even cold smelling about the scent itself.

These are my notes in pursuit of a wedding fragrance. This smells... creamy to me. I feel like it reminds me of fresh pastry cream from a choux bun or something. It’s creamy, but airy and light. Which is really weird because there’s nothing in the notes that would suggest creaminess. However, I do get the matcha, though it’s subtle on my skin. I can’t tell if it’s like matcha powder or more like a fragrant warm cup of green tea from a bag. Either way, it’s a very delicate scent on my skin. Not much projection after the initial spray. After about an hour or two, I get the biscuit note that others have commented on, so it does lean further into being a dainty gourmand. It's the first fragrance in my Penhaligon's wedding hunt that my fiancé has complimented! The dry down hours later is vanilla powder. Definitely a strong contender.

If you’re a freshie lover and you want something warm-and-cozy but shudder at the idea of a thick, cloying gourmand, boy do I have the scent for you! Gorgeous, complex, these layers make a sweet je-nais-se-quois similar to a buttery, vanilla baked treat and you’ll never guess it’s the clover. But here’s the thing: it’s a very classic sillage and longevity for something that comes at the same price-point of Penhaligon’s gut punchers like Empressa and William P. At nearing £200.... you’re paying for a label. The bottle is gorg though, and if you want a ride or die scent, I could see shelling out for something that would look and smell this pretty on your makeup table. Ps: If you’ve fallen in love with this scent I urge you to try the Amika hair line, famous for its clovery scent.

A Kiss of Bliss feels like a soft sigh on a cozy evening .. delicate, radiant, and full of quiet joy. It opens with a tender blend of clover, dewy rose, and sparkling bergamot, as if the air itself had been kissed by fresh petals. At its heart, the scent unfolds into a dreamy cloud of matcha, heliotrope, and jasmine comforting, luminous, and impossibly gentle. The base of musk, moss, and patchouli grounds the fragrance with a soft earthiness. This is not a fragrance that demands attention; it enchants with its innocence, its lightness, and its serene beauty. A Kiss of Bliss is my happy potion, i adore it 💕 – Bhavna Darira Chesan