Kensington Amber

A few years ago when deciding to relocate from London, I sampled all 3 of Penhaligon's London line. I was especially curious about Marylebone Wood, as it would have made a perfect leaving gift for myself, having lived in this gorgeous neighbourhood for many years. But MW was too oud-like in a very masculine way... out of disappointment I sniffed Kensington Amber and was immediately hooked. Still, I didn't get it then as I felt no strong personal connection with Kensington area. But the scent memory kept haunting me, and for a good reason. Now, when I finally got the FB, it flied right to my top 5! Delicious sweet winter amber. Already eyeing a backup as its now discontinued. It is such a deviation from Penhaligon's usual repertoire. I still can't believe they decided to come out with something so tasty - probably their most gourmand creation. But perhaps also the reason why they decided to let it go. I find it quite feminine. Longevity and sillage on my skin are great, especially considering Penhaligon's usual pretty average performance. So what is Kensington Amber like? On my skin, a blast of freshly baked warm morello cherry pie with some marzipan and rum essence. None of these notes are listed, but the effect is stunningly real! Its warm and cosy, slightly boozy and sticky but still balanced. Perfect for white winter that we usually get around my new home. Very clean and culinary cinnamon adds to Christmas feel and there is tiny bit of saltiness from labdanum to tame sweetness. Base is resinous and lovely. Whats quite incredible is that something you've sampled years ago can arrive one day and fit like exact missing puzzle piece to finish the picture. I now believe that this could have been as easily Marylebone Amber as it reminds me beautiful little cafes and bakeries in my old neighbourhood, quick bite of sticky Belgian waffle when shopping and the Christmas lights in Oxford street. A memory of a second home, thats whats in this bottle.

It's no secret that I adore Penhaligon's fragrances. Their somewhat old-fashioned, classic scents suit my aesthetic perfectly, and Kensington Amber from the Hidden London collection is no exception. This is quite possibly one of my favourite amber fragrances. It was love at first sniff. Kensington Amber is a rich, syrupy and resinous amber on my skin, with delicate hints of cinnamon, vanilla and woods. It's the perfect cross between an oriental and a gourmand. Very rarely do I smell something that makes me so emotional that I find myself tearing up. This fragrance does not upset me with an olfactory memory from the past, quite the opposite. This fragrance is the kind of perfection that makes you feel so elated in having found it that it brings you close to tears. Kensington Amber could almost rival my signature scent at this point in time, it's seriously that good. Unfortunately, this collection is limited from the house of Penhaligon's and are now in the process of being discontinued. Kensington Amber has been significantly reduced at my local department stores and I have begun to fret over its impending disappearance from the shelves. Perhaps the only downside to this fragrance is its inability to last longer than three hours on my skin. Many reviewers don't seem to experience the same lack-lustre longevity, so I am the unfortunate one here. Spraying on clothing lasts so much longer, so I would more than likely spray Kensington Amber on my Winter coats, scarves and hair to experience the fragrance fully. I very much look forward to the day that I add Kensington Amber to my collection. It is quite likely that this will be a birthday gift to myself in early June of this year.

The opening note to me is a Christmassy Cinnamon Apple Strudel. The cinnamon note is very authentic - imitating the scent of ground ceylon cinnamon packets you might have sniffed while cooking. Within the cinnamon is the slightest spirit of a dry wood, presumably the cedar, though the cinnamon is strong enough to make cedar as a note rather clouded. It most likely is there in small quantity to enhance the cinnamon note. On my skin, after around an hour the top note of (apple-ish) cinnamon fades. To me there are no heart notes, and it goes straight to the base of amber. This amber is very elegant, albeit very soft. I sprayed at 6pm, and still smelled the amber on my arm the next morning (after which I went straight to the shop and bought the bottle). It is, however, a skin scent (for me). The amber is not unique - I smelled the exact note on an ambre cologne my father bought in Grasse maybe 30 years ago. I was never able to find an equivalent until now - another reason I bought the bottle. The fact I have smelled it before (and so it is not 'unique') should not dissuade you, it is a very beautiful and elegant amber note. I think the vanilla is overstated in the notes. The smell of freshly ground cinnamon has a notable sweetness to it, and the vanilla and tonka exist here I think to create the authentic smelling cinnamon.

I remember when these came out not so long ago and I tried them in store. They clearly didn't burn into my permanent memory banks because I'm revisiting them now but I recall this was a favourite. Also a friend of mine sent me a picture message out of the blue of a bottle of this saying how much she adored it and that I must try it. Well she was right! Kensington amber is as far up my street as you can get, beautiful sharpness in the opening of honied sweet resins and oriental goodness. Then a piercing cinnamon note giving more warmth but definition, highlighting the edges of the amber. A lightly hay like dryness and vanilla of tonka bean plumps out an already heavy smell. Like all good ambers it dries down to vanilla, either from the vanilla nature of Styrax benzoin itself or even more quality vanilla underneath? Obviously I love fragrances like this, they're my bread n butter but does this really have that je ne sais quoi? ALMOST it does but not quite. I will have to wear it more extensively.

I visited the Penhaligons shop in Chester and i tried all 3 and they kindly gave me a sample of 2. One of my samples was this one. To my nose, Kensington Amber is almost like a Niche version of Victor & Rolf Spicebomb with all its harsh edges smoothed out with a rich depth added from the vanilla and amber. It definitely leans more masculine in the opening hour id say but as it dries down it starts to lean more unisex. I'd say Autumn/Winter nights out this is suited for. I'm actually really impressed by this release, many Penhaligon's fragrances have stopped me buying them because of their poor performance or just odd smell, but this one seems to have hit the mark in both instances and it really smells high quality. 8/10