Paithani

Coffee King down below pretty much described my exact thoughts on Paithani, the "spiced cologne on an aged leather jacket" association is very apt. I actually really liked this one when I got my decant but chose not to go for a full bottle because it was too reminiscent of some cologne my dad used to wear 10 or 15 years ago. That being said, it's still completely unisex. To me, Paithani is spicy, "dry" and somewhat exotic without being overwhelming. Cardamom and leather are the most prominent with other spices supporting those two, and the milky quality is very subtle but definitely makes the scent more interesting. Not sure how to rate its staying power, it feels like it fades away after 3 hours or so after I spray it, however, if I wear it before bed, I can always smell it on myself again when I wake up in the morning. I guess it isn't weak after all, just subtle and easy for my nose to adapt to. For me, Paithani was the fragrance that made me realize I can really (really!) enjoy leather in perfumes. And it just smells amazing and is very well-balanced. Maybe I will get a full bottle one day.

I absolutely love it, and never thought it could be unisex until I saw the rating here today. I thought it was very feminine. Thinking of it, yes it is unisex in the sense that it doesn’t push it’s image either way, not in the sense that it has any bitterness or coldness. Smells incredibly warm and beautiful, I get a lot of leather, spices and milk. But this is not for the faint of heart; it is extremely potent, and will knock you out if you’re not expecting it and even one full spray is too much for me, I filled a sample vial with it and use the tiniest amount left on the stopper every time. Needless to say at this point do NOT blind buy this, I can imagine many people not even being able to stand this. But it’s an incredibly original creation and I will cherish my bottle I guess forever lol. Lastly, if it helps anyone, I have always hated spice heavy or oud-like eastern style perfumes with very few exceptions but this one has sorf of been my baby steps into that genre of perfume. A true love it or hate it scent.

Penhaligon’s Paithani opens with a strong spicy component, with cardamom, nutmeg and pepper. The leather note immediately mixes with spicy and woody notes. It is a strong, enveloping, pungent perfume. There is a touch of mate that immediately binds to notes of milk, reminiscent of uncooked milk, still in the carton. There is a slight acidic component. The lightest notes are rose, sweet, and labdanum, which helps to give a slight dustiness to the composition. Ambergris brings a sticky and balsamic thickness in the drydown. The leather note is strongly pronounced, especially in the drydown. I call this the brown leather, the one I like. It is one of those perfumes notes come together so well it is difficult to separate and recognize them from each other.

Ah, Good!! This is Halfeti's sexy sister. Equally spicy and full of warmth and notes fighting for attention, but it has a soapy, aldehidic clean but sexy base. Old fashioned, energetic and exciting. I love it. I think of a victorian rebel wearing this, Mary Shelley.... I'm wearing it now in a hot day with the wind open and having sprayed it this AM still whiffs with the breeze. Gorgeous.

Chai latte and warm suede. Soft and delicious but I need to over-spray to get decent longevity. Very pretty and I feel this is likely to be universally appealing. The only negative (which I suppose is why it was discontinued so quickly after being released) is the longevity & sillage. Currently midwinter here so I'm hoping for great things come summer. The bottle is delightful! :-) Updated to say that the longevity is actually good if you are content with a gentle strength. It comes up throughout the day in soft, chiffony wafts. I find myself reaching for this more and more often. I am so very glad I took a chance on this discontinued gem. Thoroughly charming.