Legacy of Petra

Persolaise whom I like and respect very much termed this the very catchy name "Christmas in Morocco" which actually sounded very nice, and in light of his review and against my general judgement of my hatred of Anise. This arrives for me this week, as was purchased as part of Penhaligon's summer sale, so I will update with a review on this. Till now, I have to say I have very high hopes, and I hope they are not dashed....... Bottle received and worn for a few hours. I have to say, this is extremely clever perfumery! The liquorice here is so so so realistic, like the extremely expensive liquorice you would find in a high end sweet shop, it is so realistic I want to bite my arm off where I spritzed the test. I think this is as most people have said, right off the bat liquorice forward, and dominating the fragrance with hints of other notes, it's extremely monolithic and linear, but very vey nice indeed. That being said, this is not a fragrance that I'd want people to smell on me. I feel like I might have fallen out of a liquorice and sweets factory! This is one of those fragrances that you put on to enjoy yourself, I put this straight up in a gourmand genre, but not as sweet as most gourmands, but it's very very nice, and I am not a fan of liquorice in general, and I despise Anise. Anyone that is worried that this might smell of cheap liquorice or Anise or 5 spice, rest at ease, it's nowhere near that arena at all. I have had about 20 bottles from Penhaligon's and never ever disliked any of their frags, not one. Obviously , I liked some more than others, and they offer a money back guarantee if you dislike any of their frags, hence the risk. I do not know if I will return it or not, I will feel sad if I do, but at the same time, I can't fathom wearing this more than a handful of times a year, and possibly around festive seasons, so do I keep this, or return it in favour for one I have never smelled like Halfeti Cedar or Leather? I do not know :/ I hope this might have benefited, someone, anyone :) So enjoy and God bless!

I bought a sample and it spoke to me immediately, so I bought a full bottle- and then the weather got cool and foggy (I live on the coast in Southern California). Well, everyone was saying this is a cozy fall scent, so I wore it. In cool weather, it's unpleasantly overpowering; the licorice is too abrasive, the myrrh and wood notes burn my nose, and the spice makes me nauseous. Today, it's hot and very dry. And oh. OH. This is perfect weather for this fragrance. It's rich, dry (almost dusty), sensuous, and that herbal quality from the fennel/bergamot/rosemary makes it smell like a hot, arid wind that just blew through a canyon full of fragrant desert vegetation. It has the slightest hint of molasses-thick, dark sweetness on its own, so I paired it with a simple fragrance with date notes and I'm in heaven. I can't believe I ever tried to wear tropical sunscreen/fruity floral scents in hot weather; they never made me happy like this makes me happy. I know Penhaligon's is a London house, but this truly opened the door to Middle Eastern fragrances for me. I'm fantasizing about taking a trip to Palm Springs just as an excuse to wear this for several days straight. I've recently expanded my fragrance wardrobe as I grew to understand my tastes, and I'm so pleased I took the plunge on a full bottle of this. I normally dislike heat, and now I can look forward to it- because I'll smell like Legacy of Petra.

*Sighs with satisfaction* Are there any other pairings in the world of fragrance more beautifully exotic and mystical than licorice root/anise and myrrh? This is one of my most favorite licorice/myrrh fragrances. Legacy of Petra begins with the scent of sticky, sugary dates, earthy anise-like fennel, and LICORICE ROOT — not candied, here it is gloriously natural, medicinal (aromatic) and bold. YAY!!! Love love LOVE that anethole!!💚💚💚 Incense smoke and myrrh swirl up and blend tenaciously with fresh, grassy tea leaves and subtle creosote. It’s here where I begin to smell something especially wonderful—a note like sun baked earth that reminds me of hot desert sand, or the smell of molten glass in a glass blower’s furnace. I know, I know, too hyperbolic, but... *shrugs* It’s how I perceive it! The dry down is delicately sweet and herbal, underscored with the powdery mineral smell I associate with desert caves in the American high mountain deserts. This is the mystical journey Legacy takes me on for about 4-5 hours, only leaving me after 6 with a soft, sweetly scented sigh.

For my fellow lovers of Legacy— Do not despair. I did some research and hallelujah, Legacy of Petra is not discontinued. At least, NOT YET. Penhaligon’s currently still produces it, however the USA website no longer carries it. I couldn’t find out why, but with anethole (substance responsible for that black licorice scent) being a very polarizing scent in perfume, the American faction may not have been selling enough of Legacy to warrant keeping it in constant stock. It ALWAYS comes down to money, doesn’t it? 😒 Was told by a Penhaligon’s customer service rep that Legacy is still available for purchase directly through Penhaligon’s. If you’re like me, I’ll put back the coin and pay the full Penhaligon’s price because I love it just. that. much. But, understanding times are trying, if you’re looking to buy this discounted, there’s still plenty of this deliciously witchy and wonderful myrrh/licorice potion out there on discount websites, and will be for quite some time to come. Relax, rejoice, and happy sniffing!🧡

Legacy of Petra (now discontinued) was a massively underrated juice from Penhaligons. Probably the most misunderstood fragrance in the Trade Routes collection. It certainly has its occasions where it shines, and I think getting that right unlocks the magic of the fragrance. I worked in law enforcement (most shifts were in the jail) and the scent became underwhelming. But now I’m a supervisor at a residential therapy campus, which has me working inside and outside, and it’s neither understated nor over. It lasts 8-10 hours. Interestingly, anyone close to you will pick up the licorice and fennel, but the Vanilla, Olinanum, and myrrh project out a few feet. With the way people misunderstood this fragrance, I understand why they discontinued (from a business standpoint). However, I wish they would’ve kept it in the Trade Routes collection (same with Constantinople).

I really like this. The first time I tested it I was thinking that it wasn't for me, but upon wearing it again I really enjoyed it. I find it very dangerous that every Penhaglion's scent I seem to sample has me tempted terribly into wanting a big bottle. There's something kind of fruity (blueberry-like?) to the initial spray of it before it dried down into a cozy licorice tea scent. It's just the right amount of sweet without being cloying, and it's a really nice balance of resinous/warm and fresh and clean. It kind of fades over wear time into a soft fuzzy blanket kind of smell, warm and vanilla but with that edge of clean laundry fresh from the dryer. The licorice and fennel are pretty heavy players in this. Being an indie perfume oil enjoyer, this reminds me very much of Nocturne Alchemy's Egyptian Licorice Tea with better longevity and a bit more depth.

Wearing this today as the weather has turned cold, rainy and crap her in Yorkshire, England! I'm coming off the back end of a bad cold, but this opens with a very bold, sweet liquorice backed up with an aromatic warmth. I'd struggle to pinpoint specific aromatic qualities ( Tea, Rosemary ) but they're tucked in there. A toffee vanilla starts rounding out the mid-base to keeping the gourmand-ish sweet vibe going. Despite the liquorice note, this has big' By The Fireplace by Maison Margiella' vibes. I really like this. very much, and it's a shame this is being discontinued by all accounts. Then again, at Penhaligon's latest price points, and depending on discount websites, you could get 2 bottles of By the Fireplace for the price of this one! Initial projection is quite big, but settles to a reasonable personal bubble that lasts for a good 6-8 hours.

Picked this up for a measly £100 in the summer sale and frankly, I would've paid more. If you ever wonder how Penhaligon's has been around for so long, it's because they put out bangers like this. On the first spray it's a big kick of green tea, fennel, spice, and resiny sweetness. It's hot and fresh. As it simmers down, the fresher anise element becomes smoother and the myrrh really starts to shine. It smells like a really classy root beer at this point, still with lots of sweetness. There is a faintly detectable woody note. This myrrh is a powerhouse, but despite all the resin, it still smells clean. I'm honestly a bit lightheaded from how much I've been smelling it. So good, will likely become my signature for winter.

This is quite a complex beast but hot damn I am loving it's versatility. Opening with raw liquorice - specifically the kind you could buy by the root at the health food store and chew on. It's got a lot of sweetness too that feels slightly at odds with the fennel and tea vibes but is in fact accurate because liquorice itself is sweeter than sugar (apparently)! The myrrh is a perfect match and it gets spicier the longer I wear it. Even now, around 9 hours after spraying, I'm getting incense and cinnamon and benzoin in an almost Catholic way. I did hear it was being discontinued which I hope isn't true so soon into my love affair. But if it does happen, I will be moved to write an epic poem in it's honour.

Legacy of Petra is a journey through golden sands and spice-laden air, where warmth and mystery entwine. It opens with a luscious date sweetness, rich and almost addictive, seamlessly blending into creamy vanilla and amber. But it’s the resinous undertones and subtle spice that truly captivate, like shadows dancing under desert sun. It’s like Christmas and a desert dream combined in a bottle. Imagine the charm of a Middle Eastern bazaar wrapped in elegance and refinement. It’s an olfactory mirage that feels both timeless and modern—luxurious, seductive, and utterly enchanting. A true treasure for those who appreciate a fragrance that whispers of distant lands and unforgettable nights.

This is a very contemplative unique bitter green match, licorice, herbal vanilla that lies quite close to the skin and is very introverted. It's a bit tannic and dry in the beginning like powdered matchaon top of a drink. The apricot is a tartish round note only in the very beginning, then the matcha is king along with licorice or fennel and gentle round vanilla as it warms up. Very nice for us matcha lovers that don't like fig or too sweet notes ruining the composition. But it doesn't really project as much as some might want. It's fine with me. It evolves very slowly on my cold dry skin but will bloom faster on hotter skin. A rare unique one from this line.

Sprayed one spray on back of hand before bed and it’s still strong smelling in morning. Because I fell asleep before truly smelling all the notes I will say that my general impression is it’s an unusual syrupy ambery balsamic benzoin vanilla with a pronounced lingering bitter herbal green tea almost matcha not wet or transparent tea but heavier and dryer it’s very nice addition with fennel and licorice it’s more unique and stands out from myriad of Ambers. The bergamot did feature earlier giving a slight fruit accord that came through kind of apricot like. Very nice thick and close to the skin with only one spray and long lasting. Glad to have it.

The rocks and the desert have protected it for centuries, like a precious treasure: and indeed Petra is undoubtedly the greatest treasure in all of Giordania, a stone jewel famous all over the world, a marvel of nature and history human, which leaves you breathless. As this fragrance did for me : a luxurious licorice , elegant and discreet , accompanied by myrrh and amber notes . It is exceptional , I hardly remain speechless but this is truly a composition that deserves , that I would like and that was love at first sight . I won't mention paintings, Petra itself is for me, but try this creation which is truly remarkable.

Incredibly gorgeous. The initial opening is a bit too spicy and almost hurts to smell up close, but that lasts for maybe 10 seconds, to which afterward you get an earthy, semi-sweet, slightly smokey and resinous cup of hot tea. The drydown is lovely, and gives me similarities (in vibe, not scent) to Angels' Share Paradis' oak smell, without the sweetness and booziness. In my opinion, it perfectly encapsulates a White Christmas evening, absolutely love. 9/10, docked a point because of the harsh opening, otherwise, it's perfect. If you're a fan of Angels' Share Paradis or Grand Soir, this should be right up your alley.

It is an incredible perfume. It is said, it is rumored and it is said that it will be discontinued soon. I don't think so since it's really a perfume beauty!! Its duration on the skin perfectly exceeds 12 hours, and the incense note it gives off is truly sublime!! This perfume could be launched in an Amouage bottle and everyone would agree that it is a masterpiece worthy of the Omani firm's classics. I have acquired several of the latest Penhaligon's releases after a lapse of several years and I must say that all of them have had a better sillage and duration than what we were used to, good for Penhaligon's!!!

This is Halfeti's overlooked sister. Halfeti is loud, attractive but not particularly clever. Legacy of Petra is the dark horse. She's extremely clever, well put together and a deviant in the bedroom. It's the liquorice that does it for me. The opening notes are spice and amber but this fragrance develops so wonderfully into vanilla and aromatics until its turns into a liquorice dry down. Just wonderful. Good longevity. Ignore Helfeti, she's too brash. Go for Petra.

I must admit this is a difficult fragrance. I myself love this fragrance, however I know multiple people who do not at all. The licorice notes are very prominent, which I adore, but can be too much for some people. I would highly recommend trying it out just to decide for yourself. The performance is above average, given I got it on a Penhaligons sale for basically half price, I consider it a good deal, otherwise I would not have bought it for the full price.

This perfume is thick (in a good sense), warming and absolutely beautiful. Cosy and slightly boozy aromatic notes on top: anis, rosemary and cardamom (?). Viscous “rum and raisins” scent comes right after (this is probably a tea note, but this tea was definitely soaked in some rum :). It all mixed perfectly with stunning vanilla and smoky benzoins. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

This perfume really differs from person to person. On me, it's vanilla and a hint of myrrh and bergamot--resin-y and rich. I barely smell the aniseed/licorice/fennel notes. On my friend, it's a licorice BOMB. Like she rolled around in salt and black licorice. Personally, I love it on me, but I would definitely try it before committing to the whole bottle!

عطر فيه من الجمال ما يجعله من اجمل ما اقتنيت من العطور التي تحتوي علي نوته الشاي واستطيع ان اميزها بشكل واضح جدا وايضا الينسون او السوس واضح بشكل جميل جدا في العطر العطر مش واخد حقه ابدا و احسن من عطور كتييير عليها ضجة ومهما قلت لن اوضح مقدار روعه العطر انصح بتجربه العطر ومتأكد انه سينال اعجاب الكثيرين اداء العطر ممتاز في كل شيى وان كان جمال رائحته تكفي