LP No.9 for Men

Unfortunately @sherapop has it all wrong: LP No9 *DOES* stand for 'Love Potion', *NOT* "Long Play" as suggested. This I can declare as fact, hand over heart, for the following reasons: 1. My best friend worked on the creative team Chez Penhaligon's in the late 90s and in fact designed the LP packaging. 2. It was launched as a limited edition for Valentine's Day. LPno 9 has been one of my two signature scents for over 2 decades. Shimmering citrus top notes veil deep, rich, spicy heart and base accords... zesty bergamot, lemon and mandarin merge with a humming blend of rosemary, black pepper, warm cinnamon and smokey amber - the total sum of which tends to prickle at the back of your nose. The opening sensation is rather like inhaling the aroma of scotch and dry ginger ale. But with time, one can detect the delicate blend of warm clove, mint-like geranium, dry vetiver and fragrant sandalwood. This is a scent to be cherished as something timeless, sophisticated and elegant. One cant help but feel transported back to Victorian England when wearing this abandoned treasure... dressed in top hat and tails, stepping out of coal-black carriages with white gloves and silver-tipped ebony canes; Love Potion No:9 hanging in the air overhead like a shiny black raven. It possesses a sombre majesty, and I adore it.

With a debonnaire charm that had come to be associated with Penhaligon's (at least until the more recent barrage of releases, many of which are uncharacteristic of the brand), LP No 9 for Men opens with a orange pomander and holiday punch (geranium-like) that is spiced with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and cardamom, perhaps even a few floating star anise pods. Over time, it grows warmer, darker, and muskier, like a bit of necking after getting intoxicated. This amorous caressing doesn't get TOO hot and heavy, though, it's quite proper and socially acceptable, but it has dimension—the sillage seems to actually grow over time; the sweet nothings are more than a whisper. It is now discontinued and really not worth the asking prices, but if one were to at least happen upon a good deal (nothing over 100 US, and try to sample first!), it's worth a pick up. To think this was once found at discounters for 20 bucks.

In my experience Penhaligon's deliver very well blended compositions and LP No.9 is no exception. Usually when looking at the notes (especially on here) I'm a little perturbed by the main note sometimes and clove isn't one of my favourites. However, Penhaligon's deliver yet again on quality and none of the notes in this are too prominent. It has a opening of bergamot with the warmth of amber and the spice of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. LP No.9 is also peppery, dark feeling and musky...typical complexity which comes off as effortless simplicity. It's quite intoxicating really and very masculine, I've got to admit I'm really taken by it. Longevity is not bad at all either and it projects pretty well.

spicy and sexy smell.. I like it, I think james bond, will be getting myself some of this bad boy..or man.. grr.. definitely a scent for men..not boys. at first I wasn't sure..but after wearing this awhile It grew on me. I think one of those that if you give it some time and you will appreciate this scent more. I think the wearer will like the way he smells. I know I did. one lady that I worked with actually used the term sexy.. so I thought ok then.

Its an amazing dark sweet perfume but with totally unique swittnes!! Its rich cinammon cloves nutmeg combi! Also you can notice the rosewood perfect for cold weather and low temperatures! In my nose also i think i smell incense but its not on the notes! A great offer from the house of penhaligon's in a really good price! Warning dont try to wear it at warm days it so strong and dark that will "kill" you!! 9/10

A very classy powdery fragrance. This smells like a very expensive soap so it will be great for business meetings and formal daily activities. Because of the rose and cinnamon I'm reminded a bit of chanel egoiste but they're not the same to me. The performance is good with an average sillge. Overall its good and high quality fragrance. It will be a great gift for a gentleman 35+ Try before you buy

Spicy opening. Amazing vanilla / almost gourmand drydown that can't be described in words. This perfume is very unique as it transit from spicy opening to vanilla drydown. Longevity is good on my skin and projection also quite good. Love the scent and it's now it's my signature fragrance.

On first try this is a soft cologne/indescribable masculine smell. It’s musky, and has mint for sure. It smells like a handsome man that just cleaned up and brushed his teeth and you meet him outside in winter. It smells like when he gets closer and kisses you.

Soft, warm, sensual spices. Great quality. It’s the Colin Firth of fragrance: Leaves a surface impression of sophistication and a reserved manner, but will impel those around you to discreetly ask themselves “why am I secretly attracted to this man?”

Very spicy and exotic in a way that reminds me of the Orient. It gets sweeter on the drydown and the sillage reins itself in after many hours. A good evening fragrance though you have to be easy on the trigger as it's quite potent.

Just got it today and i wasn t expecting much. wow! Super nice blended! Very pleasant and high quality. My wife immediately loved it (important :-) Reminds me of a lighter version of Egypt from Eight & Bob

I really like how this is a hot spicy fragrance. This fragrance wears well on the skin and develops nicely. I love the strength of the clove and this is well compliment by other elements. Great stuff

Created in 1999 for Valentines love potion no. 9 fresh at first then warm spicy sensual and hot. For cooler nights, dates and party.

My beloved Penhaligon's fragrance that smelled exactly like Opium pour Homme EDP by YSL. Another discontinued gem. Bring it back!

I used to have YSL Opium edt. I do have now Penhaligon's LP9 and happy with the change.

I have a bottle of this if you are interested!

This is pleasant enough, mostly linear, but the amber and musk base notes can also be found in several other brands (some of the Hugo Boss line in particular). You should be able to find a nearly identical scent at a much lower cost. I really love Endymion, but LP No. 9 was just ok.

It's to feminine for me, but I guess it can be really good choice for a mid 30 women. Really liked base notes, tho.

On my skin this is nothing special 😕, smells soapy and boring

Contrary to popular opinion, the 'LP' in Penhaligon's LP No.9 for men does not stand for "Love Potion". No, it stands for "Long Playing" no 9. That's because this "eau de toilette" packs a potent punch, and becomes stronger not weaker over time, culminating ultimately in a bizarre spiced-oriental barbershop fougère. It also morphs back and forth between fougère and oriental, at times reminding me of PRADA AMBER pour homme and Bond no 9 COOPER SQUARE, at other times reminding me of something rather stifling and nameless. Penhaligon's is a funny house. They do seem British somehow, which I know sounds like a stereotype, but of course it is. I have a bottle of Pecksniff's bubble bath, on which the self-deprecating information is printed that (paraphrased), "there are very few British perfume makers, and we are proud to be one of them)." My favorite British house is Miller Harris, but that's another story. I was shocked to discover the Penhaligon's--L'Artisan Parfumeur connection not too long ago. I only figured it out because they held simultaneous sales, and fulfillment came from the same place, and the websites were designed almost exactly the same. Then I discovered that Bertrand Duchaufour has created scents for both houses. But somehow Penhaligon's has this old school vibe which strikes me as just slightly off somehow, at least in some cases. Especially with the LP duo, I find that a whole bunch of heavy spices were thrown into the mix to, well, spice things up. The effect is not entirely harmonious, and it's certainly not romantic, whatever else it may be. Unlike one reviewer I've read, I do not hate this perfume, but I also don't really cherish the thought of wearing it again. It's not exactly painful to wear, but it is somewhat challenging and discordant. To me, at least, LP No. 9 FOR MEN is not such a pleasure to wear. Perhaps it is better suited for men?

Lp No:9, 1999 Christian Provenzano What does it me to be eccentrically British? or for those who are not attund with adverb, what does it mean to be as eccentric as a British Gentleman? Uhmm...perhaps being as ironically attractive as LP 9? Originally released 17 years ago for Valentine's day, it was conceived as a limited release: a way to celebrate that day. But it soon entered the regualr collection as apparently, women were loving it and buying it for their men. For the historical nerds like myself, LP 9 stands for Love Potion number 9 and the name is quite adequate as the scent tries to evoke in the opening an orange pomander. If you are familiar with my review on Ambre Liquide, you know that a pomanders date back to Middle Age Europe, originating from the French pomme d'ambre ("apple of amber"); these aromatic fruits symbolize good luck, prosperity, and joy. Atypical for a scent of the '90s, its core is not a zesty clean freshness, but this orange pomander full of cloves with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. But there is also some celery that apparently noone has noticed. Later on the scent becomes warmer, I would dare say hot: isn't this a love potion? Then it should arouse. It really gets darker and muskier. The culprit? a spicy edgy patchouli modulared by a dark brown amber accord over clean musk. But the beauty of the scent is the subtle florals of its heart that makes it a little powdery (a calling to LP 9 for women) and transport me to a Victorian England. Atypical, attention grapping, moderately edgy, elegant: quintessentially British. Follow me on IG @alexolympia6

I happened to be browsing in a perfume boutique the other day, searching for ideas for a fragrance for my boyfriend. I had begun to complain to the sales assistant about his smoking habit interfering with anything perfume-wise, when she recommended LP No.9 for Men. The moment I smelt this, I understood why she introduced it to me. This fragrance is all about the spices and it actually smells like something a bad-boy smoker in a leather jacket would wear. Forget all that love potion nonsense, this is rough, manly and sexy. I hesitated to buy this for my man because I was afraid that every woman in sight would want to jump him if he wore this in public. The cloves, geranium, pepper, orange and nutmeg are quite prominent throughout the composition, although there is a hint of sweetness every now and then, possibly brought about by the cinnamon, and what could be vanilla. The spices in LP No.9 for Men are more animalistic than exotic. Don't expect a spice bazaar in this particular fragrance. By the drydown I can almost detect a hint of caramel, so there are sweet aspects to this as well. Unfortunately the lasting power isn't all that wonderful, tending to vanish after six hours into almost nothing. I would love it if this were more intense and lasting. Yet overall, I am quite impressed, with this fragrance being a great introduction to the house of Penhaligon's.

I got two blind buys on the same day. Annick Goutal Mon Parfum Cherie par Camille reinforces the blind buy. If I were to mistake my lucky randomness for logic I would never have to smell another perfume before buying again, because it’s brilliant. Penhaligon’s Love Potion no 9 makes me want to repent for my sin of blind-buying, and I’m not even a Christian. A 50 mL bottle was $25 at a discount store, so not an enormous loss. Still, foolish. As much as I promote gender non-specificity in perfume use, there is a vocabulary of contemporary perfume that is gendered. LP falls into the ‘male’ category. It brings to mind a sneering prick. It smells of masculine narcissism, conformity and unrecognized low self-esteem. I hate this perfume. It’s the nightmarish mirror-image of a specific era of the fougere: the musky, floral fougere that became extinct with the advent of Cool Water. Rememeber Paco Rabanne Tenere? Givenchy Xeryus? LP is the cloying, unbalanced version of this style. Spicy musky, in Tenere and Xeryus, is turned to a rising nausea in LP no 9. Just say no. Blind buying: will it be winning the lottery, as was the case with the Goutal, or the penance for transgression, as in the Penhaligon’s? As my boyfriend captures the essence of karma with his southern charm, “God don’t like ugly.” I suppose I deserve to be punished for my bad choice. from scenthurdle

I really hate the name for this one, Love Potion No.9, lifted from a silly song and who would want to kiss everything in sight? That little rant out of the way, I'd like to offer praise for this scent, recently saved from discontinuation by Penhaligon's. My dear husband was strictly an Old Spice kinda guy and then only rarely. But it was the spice he liked, though he admitted that OS was a bit sugary and pretty "common". One day we discovered LP no.9 and its whole wonderful range of spicy notes. He actually liked this one and it was his next birthday gift. I think the cardamom was the clincher. It's really wonderful! It's spicy yes, but instead of sugar spicy it is a cool woody spicy The sandalwood is wonderful in this one and the vetiver also keeps it just a bit bracing. The citrusy top notes do not last long at all and he was pleased by this as he finds citrus too foody. Yes spice is "food" in a way but LP is not saddled with vanilla or a "baked goods" feel. It also lacks the arty incensy tones so popular now. If you are looking for a spicy (not dowdy) alternative to good old Old Spice or don't care for marine scents LP No.9 is definitely worth a try. It's a fairly traditional fragrance that can be worn anyplace and the staying power, like that of all Penhaligon's I have tried, is first rate.

A discontinued fragrance; was marketed back in the day as a sort of a "sensual", "modern oriental" chypre-kind-of-scent. But in fact this was simply a versatile EdP for fall-winter time, in quality one doesnt come across very often (strong projection-longevity, delicious, unmistakably masculine, distinct yet effortless). "Thick", resinous, warm, spicy-fresh, soapy-sweet rosewood and rose - very barbershop like, well assembled. To me this is simply a quality EdP with an oldschool cologne-vibe; a great finishing touch to a grooming routine in fall-winter. Still using the remaining half-bottle in 2025 and think this is one the best releases of this house to date.

I bought this one for $20 at a winners (Canadian Marshall's equivillant) Shhhhhhhh. It's the PERFECT Christmas scent and if it doesnt go bad, it will be my goto until my last Christmas (oh is that morbid???). It will be worn every evening that my Christmas tree is up lol. I don't really care if anyone else like it! It opens with the smell of cloves, cinnimon and nutmeg and then settles into this mix of barbershop and bakery. Oh Idunno... it just smells good - but so does sunscreen to me.

Here is the actual notes you can smell: Mint = very bright mint opening like toothpaste Cardamom = more of a realistic cardamom smell, citrusy, bitter, slightly soapy Nutmeg = has that slightly cola type smell to it, with a little citrusy touch Cinnamon = not too noticeable, just adds sweetness to the above notes I have no idea how these notes aren't listed but that's what this smells like. And I won't change my mind

a very realistic and masculine clove based fragrance. Cloves and pepper, with a nice amber base. The opening is quite powerful and sharp, but smooths out very nicely. Unfortunately my experience with the strength and longevity do not match most of the comments, lasting around four hours before I could not detect it any more. A nice fragrance, but I was dissapointed it didn't last longer

This reminds me of a sample of Jacomo de Jacomo I received in 2008, though that one had obvious lavender too. This may smell more natural than that one as well. Yes, you had better enjoy clove notes, but I do so keep that in mind, as the spice is the only major player here. This also reminds me of Opium Pour Homme EdP, though I think the vanilla was a bit more obvious there.

Less vanillic, yet somehow smoother, and more refined than Opium PH, and the resemblance is very definitely there. Also lacks the black current note that I hated in the YSL. Wears better overall, and I'm complimented every time I wear this. While it does not smell dated at all, it stands out because it's not common.

This is probably my favourite sweet scent at the moment (well this and LIDGE), the dry down is just sublime on my skin and it leaves a great scent trail. Incredibly sexy and it usually lasts until I wake up the next morning... perfect. (Note- I layer it with the Body Shop Activist deodorant and shower gel)...

خیر، اصلا با نسخه مدرن اوپیوم مواجه نیستین این عطر یه کار خاص صابونیه که اسپایس قوی بهش اضافه شده ----------- Scent & Qualiy: 6/10 Longevity: 6/10 Sillage: 6/10 Creativity & Uniqueness: 7/10 Affordability: 6/10 ----------- Overall: 6.2/10

Got a bottle, on me it is a "meh", gave it to my brother and on him it is a very nice. Leans mature, masculine, dry and spicy but with some freshness. A scent with an edge, just didn't get the best out of it on my skin.

This review is based on a decant. Cinnamon and spices. It has below average projection and moderate longevity on my skin. Kinda reminds me a bit of Five O'clock by Serge Lutens but without the ginger and tea note.

Really enjoyed this for years, shame it discontinued. Perfect for the cooler evenings in London. Warm and seductive, ysl opium pour homme is defo a 1:1 alternative

Yes! YES!!! My dreams came true - I've found an improved version of YSL Opium PH with prolonged longevity! Happy, happy, happy!

Nice fresh fragrance. Like all Penhaligons for me, I wish the performance was better.

One of the most complimented perfumes I own (250+). Amazing stuff, elegant and sexy.