Endymion

Endymion, fair Endymion...one of the very FEW mortals blessed enough to know the love of one of the gods, (and live!) who received immortality, eternal youth and a peaceful fate of eternal slumber. Endymion was a shepherd on the slopes of Mt Latmos (on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey across the Bosphorus from Greece, near the mouth of the river Meander). Selene, who drove the chariot of the moon across the night sky, saw him and fell in love with his beauty. She bore him no less than 50 daughters (the Menae) and so hated the idea of him dying, that she asked a boon of Zeus: to keep him eternally young and make him immortal. It is said he is not dead, but eternally resting, beautiful as ever, in a cave on Mt Latmos; and it is here that Selene still visits him nightly embracing him with her soft silvery beams... I can see why this scent was named Endymion. It is one of the most beautiful man scents I have ever smelled and a fitting homage to the beauty of a young man who captured the heart of not only a goddess, but a daughter of Titans. The opening is stunning, the bright sweetness of the bergamot and mandarin are like a disarming grin that makes you like this guy on first meeting him. The sexy spicy cardamom, smooth nutmeg and peppercorns add a bit of the "wild" edge to him. (He was a shepherd who lived on a mountain, after all). There is something here that reminds me a bit of LALIQUE's Le Faune; only it is much more elegant, almost royal, and still quite "down to earth" but not as lewd or brash as a satyr (or faun) would be. Here, is a son of royalty, who just happens to prefer to be out of doors, living under the starry skies and free. The "heart" of this (amber, lavender, sage and vetiver) give this a very masculine air, yet are combined so very beautifully it is hard not to love it on first meeting it. Warm and sweet, clean and smooth, sharp yet not "biting" and smoky but clean...if a goddess fell in love; what chance do we mere mortals have? *sighs* In the cool recesses of his cave, we are wrapped in animal skins (leather), the warmth of his embrace (myrrh) and can smell a divine musk. The scent of his skin, washed in mountain streams, smelling of earth, man and nature. Adrogyny was considered the ultimate beauty in ancient Greece, and that is truly what Endymion is...softly (almost femininely) stunning while maintaining a quiet strength that is at once elegant and powerful. Penhaligon's, you have outdone yourselves!! Sillage: good but tender Longevity: impressive Overall: 5/5 (Who am I to argue with the Gods?) Though Endymion is marketed (and constructed) for men. I see no problem with women wearing this stunning creation. Though it lacks fruits and flowers, it has a definite sweetness, a subtle (very SEXY) smooth spiciness and a "to die for" drydown. Many people (non-perfumisti types) that I know would ROLL THEIR EYES at paying close to 100 USD for a 50 ml perfume...I just roll my eyes at THEM, sniff my wrists, sigh DEEPLY and walk away. Penhaligon's may cost more but it is definitely worth it here, and for this scent...I would pay more, if need be. Guys, do yourselves a favor: if you want ONE cologne that is spicy, sexy and just a tad bit sweet...but you do NOT want to smell like all the rest of "those dudes"-invest in a bottle of ENDYMION. You'll understand when you sniff it, trust me! There are many accounts of Endymion's birth and his "story". Almost as many stories as there were storytellers, but ONE thing they all agree on was his beauty, quiet strength and his absolute charisma and charm. For once, the perfume really does match the name...

This is a comfort scent. I legitimately only wear this one at night and it puts me to sleep. Not to say it's boring, it just has that calming lavender effect. Presentation.. Well, it's Penhaligon's. Cool bottle, great sprayer. I wish they would do away with the stickers and do all their bottles like Blasted Heath (etching) but... Still quality. Looks good. Lavender piledriver. About as masculine a lavender as you are going to get. Barbershoppy (is that a word?). There's a lot going on in this one and it is an exquisite blend.. However, it's fairly linear. Not to fret, it's linear in the most pleasing way possible. Lavender dominant, bergamot adding a touch of brightness, coffee and leather adding depth, sage adding spice. When it does change, it loses some of it's brightness to the myrrh, sandalwood and incense but it generally stays the same. Again, VERY lavender based. If you do not like that note, you will not like this. Endymion has a strange quality to it. Alluring, complicated and mysterious but not in a "bad boy" kind of way. More in the vein of an introverted intellectual. Captivating and sexy because of it. It flirts with being a dandy type of scent but is decidedly masculine. I think this is for sure versatile in any way possible (except maybe a dead humid summer heat). Dressed down, dressed up, no age hang ups... It's a utility scent. Sophisticated enough for a suit, relaxed enough for jeans. Hell, I wear it in my PJs most of the time. The downfall with Endymion is it's strength. As an EDC, it lives up to it's stated concentration but it's not a dramatic underperformer. It lasts for about 4-5 hours with about 30-45 minutes of walloping sillage. After that, very nice skin scent that people will still detect, although it may be just a glimmer of spicy lavender. I really love this stuff and I'd buy (and wear religiously) an EDP if it smelled exactly the same and didn't cost an arm and a leg. It personifies my attitude in a scent.

Endymion holds a special place in my heart less as its the first cologne I ever bought and more the story behind it. Like most guys growing up in the late 2000s I was obsessed with Lynx (Axe for those across the pond) body spray. And naturally being the absolute yob I was then, bathed myself in the stuff to the point that you could smell me half a kilometer away. Then one day I went to visit my granddad's and minus a few politically incorrect terms, he proceeded to drag me over to the local shopping centre for a "real man's cologne and not that spay can garbage" And there I was introduced to Penhaligon's. Granddad chatted up the old bluenose running the shop and gave him the short of it, and I was given a few scents to try. Eventually it came down to either Opus 1870 or Endymion. Granddad suggested Endymion because he liked the lavender coffee and incense combo. He on the other hand got himself a 10mL atomizer sample of Lord George. 8 years later I still have that bottle of Endymion and his sample atomizer too after he passed away. But granddad had a good eye, or rather a good nose I suppose. Endymion a highly versatile scent that's both office safe and good for wearing out; it can be worn year round but does tend to perform best in spring/fall and to a lesser extent summer. I've been told it makes me smell bookish but it has a calming, confidence boosting effect on me. Longevity has always been an issue with Endymion for sure, but some excessive spritzes go a long way with improving duration considering it is an EDC and not an EDT and if not, keep a bit on hand in an atomizer at school or the office.. So to summarize, Endymion is a safe blind buy for both first timers and frag vets who tire of the more avant garde. Traditionally British yet modern at the same time.

I woke with a start at 5:00 this morning, drenched in sweat, a churn in my stomach. I had taken way too high a dosage of cough medicine, and my body was not happy about it. Dry heave - okay, I guess it's fine now. After dealing with that, the last thing I wanted to do was go to work, but circumstances left me with no choice. I needed something light, not too spicy, smooth. Please no giant "scent cloud" today. Just something nice, pleasant, barely there. I reached for my sample of Endymion, knowing its Eau de Cologne concentration wouldn't be so intrusive, and the second I sprayed (and dabbed the residual dribble) I knew I made the right choice. Despite having to drag myself to work, it's as if Endymion tucked me back into bed and smooched me on the forehead. Nothing else in my collection does this, and if it tries, it's way too loud to be effective. Previously, I'd written Endymion off as a waste of money. Why would I get this wimpy creamy coffee scent when I have Pure Coffee? Okay, past me. Time for a lecture: You're not always going to want to smell like a dark roast black coffee. Sometimes you're going to want to smell like a local cafe around the holidays - warm, inviting, coffee smells lingering with bakery smells, bakery smells lingering with the faint whiff of a stranger's perfume. I see my fragrance collection as a support system, in a way. It helps me see myself how I wish to be seen, it helps when I'm feeling depressed, it helps when I'm bored. Endymion is the fragrance equivalent of that friend who can sense when you need a hand to hold. He starts out as a hug and dries down to your dear friend, holding your hand, giving it gentle strokes when he hears so much as a sniffle out of you. Endymion is the friend I'm ready to welcome onto my shelf.

Not being a Penhaligon's fan (the brand has recently become associated with a tourist souvenir shop, targeted at people who have never visited the UK before) - and detesting powdery scents - it took me a while to appreciate Endymion. Endymion falls bang in the 'clean' domain, but it does the 'clean' accord in a different way to any other scent I know of. There is no explosion of citrus or neroli here; instead lavender is the backbone of the scent. It is woven with bergamot in the opening and a faux coffee and geranium in the heart. I say faux coffee because I haven't come across a scent that does coffee just how it smells (to my nose) in a coffee cup or from a freshly opened bag of beans. That said, the coffee note here is impressive and works better than say MFK's Amyris Homme duo. The opening can be a bit of a challenge, so I always go easy on the trigger with this one. Once the scent is settled in to that complex base, it really shines. This is especially true in the cooler months and specifically at night, where the resins and spices come to life, but do not become overpowering (unless you've done too many sprays). The current bottles project moderately and last a working day; the scent does not need to be topped up. All in all, Endymion is quite a masculine creation, fresh/clean and yet spicy, with an adequate (not too bitter, not too sweet) incense in the base. A great cool weather 'pick me up' for longer nights and when a citrus-laden freshie just won't do.

Endymion takes the top spot among the fragrances I own. Sure, it’s familiar - it’s been done in some form many, many times over - La Nuit, Spicebomb, L’Instant, Pure Havane, Tobacco Vanille, Avant Garde - I can think of about a dozen others in the same neighborhood that I haven’t listed, but you get the idea. They may throw in honey or vanilla, some have leather or patchouli, some don’t - or they dial up or down the sweetness and intensity, but essentially everything’s built around a spicy/sweet lavender or tobacco heart (or both). I have a few of these, like them all and love a couple, but this one hits everything just right. Mild lavender, lightly sweet cocoa/coffee, mildly fruity, spicy and aromatic. It’s the high quality of the blend that makes it a standout. Nothing shouts, everything works in subtle harmony, making Endymion much more versatile than other smell-alikes. It’s a little on the weak side, but even that works in it’s favor, adding to its flexibilty in most occasions (except for hot days). Sometimes Penhaligon’s English sense of restraint gets the better of their fragrances, making what could be a standout blend so soft that the scent fades somewhere between leaving the bottle and hitting your skin. Juniper Sling and English Fern being two examples, I’d buy ‘em in a second if they had more oomph. This one, though - perfect!

For those of us who grew up on Sailor Moon, we probably have an immediate impression to the name "Endymion." Others, recalling Greco-Roman mythology, might recall the goddess of the moon who fell in love with a beautiful man from earth and put him to slumber. I've had my eye on Endymion for a while, and I'm grateful to finally try a sample. Endymion is both gentle and genteel. It recalls subtle princes and the quietness of night. Lavender is at the heart. It contains the familiar notes of fougeres, but it goes beyond the barber shop and holds a slight mystery--just like the moon. The coffee and nutmeg stand out on me, although it's not by any means a gourmand. These notes, along with the myrrh, make it feel warmer. While it certainly has a gender neutral appeal, the name and the fougere makeup gives off a soft masculinity. Sillage and longevity are decent. Enough to make an impact, but quiet enough to stay on theme. I don't necessarily think Endymion is groundbreaking or extraordinary, but it is perfection in achieving what it set out to do, which sometimes is more rewarding than going the outre route. It is clean, and it is classic, and its understated handsomeness provides just enough mystique to set it out from the rest. I could see myself picking up a full bottle of this in the future. Overall, just a lovely scent.

Got this as a gift from my girlfriend, who's trying to wean me off my dependence on citrus fragrances. With Endymion, I think she might just succeed! This is a very unique, complex fragrance that's tough to pin down. While you could consider this an oriental spicy fragrance, it could as easily be a fougere, given that it has the classic notes for both. I would describe it as a sophisticated, masculine, floral-woody fragrance, if that makes sense. The open is a lovely lavender and sage with a hint of citrus, primarily bergamot. The coffee quickly kicks in, and these notes are sustained through the drydown. As it develops it gets pleasantly powdery, which I first thought was tonka. Since that's not listed, I suspect it's from the incense. While the fragrance sounds quite complex, it's not. I think this one of the few fragrances that you could wear anytime of the day, and any season. As some of the reviews have noted, it smells a bit like a chocolate dessert. My girlfriend put it best when she said "like eating chocolate truffles in a forest". Longevity is good on this, I get around 5 hours. Sillage is moderate, which is probably best on a fragrance like this - you wouldn't want this getting overwhelming. Edit: for girlfriend's comments. It's chocolate truffles, not cake apparently...

Difficult for traditional and conservative heritage houses like Floris or Penhaligon's to create new fragrances that address contemporary sensibilities while being faithful to the house's tradition. The weight of history, one might say. I think that Penhaligon's have lost this in recent years, starting with Sartorial and the Halfetis and the Babylons. By the time you get to the plastic elephant and canine headed bottle caps they've totally lost me. Sartorial is a very nice fragrance; I have it and use it somewhat frequently through the colder months. But it doesn't seem like Penhaligon's. It seems American. Department store fragrance counter American. Sharp, metallic American frags are fine, but they have no connection to 19th century London. As I said, it isn't easy being a heritage house. I don't envy Penhaligon's in this regard. But Endymion fits that tradition while also being contemporary. Such an ethereal fragrance that somehow makes leather whisper rather than shout. It has a delightful cycle from top notes through dry down. I'm comfortable wearing it to work but it's also a perfect cool evening choice. It shimmers like the strings in Mahler's Symphony #2. Gentle and versatile. Spray it on and go out to watch the northern lights. It's what I imagine the aurora smells like.

The mythic inspiration behind this perfume is apt as it is one of the most gorgeous and frustrating perfumes I have tried--like chasing the moon. I sampled it a few times on my skin and was intrigued by how well-blended it was. This is a perfume of paradoxes--somewhat sweet, somewhat spicy. A lightness to it, but also a heft that could lend itself to use in the evening and any season really. The aromatic lavender and sage combination along with the hint of coffee and myrrh made me think of slightly sweet herbal medicines (a natural medicinal smell, not the antiseptic one of a hospital). For all its wondrous qualities, this doesn't last anywhere near as long as I would like it to. Granted, that might have something to do with it being a cologne. I get, perhaps, 4-4.5 hours tops (the last hours of its life spent laying flat against my skin). It's elusive and ephemeral. I did, however, take the plunge and purchase the set that came with the body gel and deodorant during Penhaligon's sale so I have less qualms about its poor longevity. Although this is marketed as a men's perfume, I ignore that (as should anyone who loves a specific scent) and wear it anyway. In fact, I'd like to smell this on more women just to compare. What can I say? I'm enchanted.

Absolutely lovely stuff, even if it is a bit weak. Starts off with a sort of olfactory illusion: smells at first like it's going to be a blue shower gel type cologne. As much as that isn't my thing, this moment is gentle and lovely, consisting of a cool herbal-citrus accord that I mostly attribute to mandarin and lavender. As the top fades, the heart and base come into focus. I personally have never gotten much coffee from Endymion -- it's a rounded edge of the overall blend at best, along with the geranium, the presence of which fluctuates moment to moment. The base is the overriding experience for me, and the lasting impression: creamy nutmeg, warming and incredibly smooth. It smells like warm, spiced milk to me, despite the lack of lactonic notes. The cream, which I attribute to sandalwood and musk, is rounded out by a bit of leather, wafts of vetiver, incense -- it changes constantly, then fades out. Endymion could stand to be stronger. The moderate sillage fades to intimate, but the longevity is decent, something like 5-7 hours. I dream of a full bottle, so I could really overspray it and smell delicious and cozy to everyone all day.

As an uncultured nose swept along by the designer frags, I decided to swim against the flow and take on the waves of niche fragrances. Little did I know, it's an even bigger shark pool of expensive smells LOL. Endymion marks my first encounter with a niche, I like it alot, it smells of quality, opens sugary sweet and has a powder that evolves slightly but does not go away long into the drydown. I can't tell the precise notes as I am untrained but I like it enough to buy a bottle. I do get a bit of coffee, some spiciness and sandalwoods. To me the scent is quite linear and not too complex (read I have an uncouth nose), for the money longevity is disappointing but however fleeting, it was a great scent. A woman can definitely wear this too as there it has some floral and powder. On the dry down it's more masculine. Smelling it as I write I would reiterate the quality I smell here and would give this a buy recommendation. It's safe, not a standout; but alluring if worn at night for dates.

Endymion would make John Keats proud. This is a fragrance that comes across as poetic, romantic, and intellectual. Endymion does not scream seduction - indeed, this fragrance does not scream anything. Rather it is a whisper in the ear, a biting of the lip. It is a reminder that, as Keats put it, "a thing of beauty is a joy for ever". This is a gentleman's fragrance... One that requires the wearer to be something more than the usual, else the lady who catches a whiff of this scent will lean in to find nothing hidden behind the curtain. If a man were to wear this to a club, he might find that he stands out, as if he does not belong in or near the repugnant clouds that follow those wearing the maniacally aggressive (and repulsive) One Million. For some this will be a good thing. For others not so much. Endymion is romance, not sex. Words of love, not heavy breathing and rustled sheets. "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." True.

If I had to choose one word for this scent it would easily be 'bakery.' It smells like warm, fresh baked bread, with coffee brewing in the background. Despite having a light gourmand sweetness, it's still decidedly a fougere. While my nose isn't sophisticated enough to individually pick out the other notes I am certain that the lavender, leather, and sandalwood are key players here as they are three of my favorite notes that rarely disappoint me. Endymion is a true gentleman, if not a prince. It's very soft and has a androgynous essence about it. You are safe to go heavy on the spray. I personally spray all of my fragrances on my chest, as I find that it keeps the smell lingering throughout the day and into the night. Despite complaints of Endymions poor longevity, I find it to be no exception. Perfect on a sweater for your partner to steal. My signature fragrance. 10/10.

[AUGUST 2025] Endymion, you cold sparkling beauty. Most Penhaligon perfumes are too subtle to my taste but I found Endymion's soft calming musky-citrus + rich lavender accord so soothing. There's something nocturnal how the atmosphere this Penhaligon's (in particular) conveys is too fog-like, frigid, and tickling but still oh so soft (sparkling) to the nose to convey something hot sunny but still bright like the moonlit (wildflower-- meaning grass-like not bouquet flower coded) meadow. Moreso than Luna, which was just so imperceptible to my nose. My new layering perfume, for that $160AUD 30ml which goes on sale often for about $120AUD for a 30ml on a lucky day. Probably even less. Rare Penhaligon's I did not find too sharp, antique an imagery and regretful a purchase (looking at you, my first ever perfume purchase with my own money: Lily Of The Valley.)

The note breakdown is phenomenal to me! I seriously couldn’t ask for a better note line up than this. What I get most is the coffee and lavender , sage and lime just like the people voted. They’re not lying. For the first 45 min or so it seems like a sparkling lime lavender coffee jumping off the skin, I guess just barely bouncing lol because the fragrance is fairly close to the skin. I heard someone from Penhaligon mention that their fragrances whisper rather than shout which is pretty accurate. Perfect for date night or cuddling with that special someone. I like to wear it for myself as well, even before bed it’s kind of a treat, the coffee might keep you awake but the lavender will tuck you right in. Penhaligon is a terrific house especially for the price. I highly recommend checking this one out.

~ I thought I had smelled, tested, worn all the quintessential Gentleman scents up until I shook hands with this top hat, leather glove, lavender lapel wearing proper English Gentleman! This is perhaps the first serious contender to potentially dethrone my Signature Chanel? I am completely enamored with the perfection of Endymion's soft, sweet, confident personality. The lavender is so smooth so romantic this will surely please anyone who would accompany you on a Sunday drive or a fall walk in the park! This is warm and welcoming in it's subtle leather and musk base the perfect companion. I give this Penhaligon's an endorsement for any man who wants to bring his style to the next level and please many noses along the way! Kind Regards, Plat ~ Scent - 10/10

Overall, Endymion is an exquisite perfume and I feel guilty about criticizing something this good. But in the spirit of analyzing my feelings, my main reaction was " Almost Heaven". Frustrating in that there is a sense of just missing nirvana. The main note is a high quality lavender, refined and elegant. It is enhanced by a spellbinding spiciness, just extraordinary. But underlying, there is a musky powdery aura, very faint, but it imperceptibly intrudes on the lavender and spices. It adds a touch of ordinary and constricts the euphoria you get smelling the lavender/spice accord. This touch of ordinary is akin to clay feet on a god, because Endymion truly is a masterpiece. A timeless, beautiful fragrance.

Endymion's aromatic opening reminds me of Acqua di Gio which is not a knock on the creation as it is well done and high in quality. The bergamot and lavender/sage give the fragrance a summer opening but as it begins to dry down, it turns to the notes which would make the scent more suitable for a spring or autumn season. The coffee note isn't very prominent to my nose or to any other person that I have asked which, honestly, is good because coffee notes sometimes are very hit or miss with me. The base notes under a holistic approach give the fragrance a darker* dry down which is great because there is a level of complexity to the fragrance. 9/10

WOW !! Penhaligon's really compliments for this wonderful fragrance. As of now I'm loving it, is so mysterious, sweet, fantasy, .. spicy and sweet at the same time ... reading the story of Endymion, I catapulted those eras .. where the Goddess of the moon went to visit him every night ... is a perfume really classy, unique, really well done ... !!! notes harmonize with each other perfectly .. really a masterpiece! This scent surely, will enter among my favorites! :). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I think it can go for the autumn period. Sillage : 6./10 Longevity : 8.5/10 Scent : 9.5/10 Overall : 9.5/10