The Impudent Cousin Matthew

A brilliantly bright and soapy petitgrain that reminds me a great deal of Mugler cologne - not surprising since they're both Morillas creations. You'll recognize the DNA immediately - neroli-like citrus and slightly grassy greenness in the opening that hints at vetiver as it progresses on skin. The transition into the petitgrain mid is a tad jarring, but it smoothes out rather nicely after a few minutes. Overall, EXTREMELY well blended, with excelllent performance for a freshie and a powderiness in the drydown that gives it a nice, classy unisex feel. It literally takes me to the edge of a slow-rolling brook where a freshly mown lawn gives way to reeds concealing a trout or two. Absolutely nothing unique here, but a fantastic spring scent nonetheless and probably my second favourite from the entire portraits line! Scent - 8.5/10 Longevity - 8/10 Projection - 7/10 Overall - 8/10 - White shirt worthy. UPDATE: No wonder I love it so much! It smells like Froot Loops!

When I was a child there was a mosquito repellant called "Autan" which smelled exactly like the opening of The impudent cousin Matthew. I liked that smell. I still do. And it was lovely to find it again in this fragrance, this citrusy powerful blast only hits you for 5 minutes or so. Then it becomes round and perfectly balanced. Probably the petitgrain. It is like a Cologne that is about to fade but you still perceive if you really pay attention. I really love it. I would happily bathe in this. The drydown is different from any other fragrance I have ever tried. It makes you feel at ease, clean, ready for anything life would throw at you. Shame for the price though. I will never afford a full bottle of this. And my 5ml sample will not last long. It is gorgeous. Anyone should try this fragrance at least once. Mugler's Cologne is lovely too, but it could never be a substitute.

This does not smell like mugler or tom ford or banana republic. Neither it smells like bortnikoff oud cologne which is practically orange candy in a bottle. It seems that all people voting for similarities are speculating like crazy about this fragrance. What it does smell like is Xerjoff Nero70 Campomarzio edition. It's been bugging me for quite a while after I got my sample that scent is awfully familiar and today when wearing Matthew it fell into place. Extremely similar, don't get yourself fooled bu the notes what you read. It's not patchouli heavy. What is in matthew are woodsy musks and something vanillic to make it more creamy in the base. Never the less outstanding release. I can imagine people not enjoying this unique composition, I know I do.

This is possibly my favourite Penhaligon so far. I mostly find that citrus scents aren’t citrusy enough or they burn the hairs in your nostrils when you take a sniff. This passes the citrus test, opening like a fizzy sherbert and drying down nicely without losing its freshness. It seems almost criminal in this age of austerity to spend so much on a full bottle. It’s expensive but it’s such good quality, that’s probably fair. I will probably find a decent sized decant somewhere. All I need is just enough to see me through the coming summer. As someone who has chemical sensitivities, I’m happy when a perfume doesn’t cause me discomfort. This one is an addictively good fragrance, too!

Starts off bright, and exciting with the orange. This is the scent of an orange when you are slicing it. A lot of the rind and zest, and a touch of the meat of the fruit. It’s very fresh, not bitter or sour. After about 20 minutes it calms down to a light soapy orange stem if you crushed the leaves. I think this is what they wanted Irish spring to smell like if it could have had quality oils. It seems to stand up well if you are outside, and compliments spring and summer weather the best. It’s complex but not complicated. Simple, but it has a signature which I find I am greatly enjoying. It’s a smell that accompanies me, it doesn’t announce me.