Zizonia

I have a real soft spot for Penhaligon's. The 150 year old house has deep historical roots and a long connection to British royalty. It's all very stuffy and dusty and posh -- in the best way! Zizonia (originally created in the 1930s) has a woody edge and spicy zing that I really like. It smells very classic but not dated. It's quite glamorous and carries a sort of Art Deco meets Old Hollywood vibe. Fur shawls, velvet coats, leather seats, carved cigarette holders -- you get the picture. I love heavy handed ginger notes if done well, and Zizonia does it well. With five other spices in the mix, you'd think this one would pummel you in the face, but it doesn't. The woody notes soften the edges, and the geranium heart makes it sparkle. It's an EDT so I didn't expect amazing longevity or sillage to begin with -- performance is indeed mediocre in those departments. Very little projection and the scent is detectable on the skin for 2-3 hours max. I adore the perfume though, and I got a great deal on price, so I'm very pleased overall with Zizonia.

If there ever were a Cartier Declaration Pour Femme, this would be what it would smell like. It's light and not as heavily spicy as Declaration can be. Cumin is non-existent. This is Ginger and Cardamom strong with mild herbs, citrus, and spice in the background. As is the case with the majority of Penhaligon fragrances, both performance and sillage are below average. It will not make it through an 8-hour workday, but will require a lunchtime refresher. I own multiple flankers of Declaration, and I own Epice Marine. I think while Zizonia does relate to Declaration, it doesn't smell like Epice Marine. Epice Marine has not only the salty cool marine notes, but a toasted cumin/floral opening. They are like cousins with a common grandparent, not siblings. While I compare Zizonia to a for women version of Declaration, it is unisex in spite of Fragrantica's categorization. That being said, I would love to smell this on a woman as I think it is well-mannered, but beckons one to discover it's underlying spicyness.

I've been coveting a few Penhaligon's fragrances based on their reviews, namely Elixir and Malabah. I hadn't smelled them, but thought they seemed like the best fit for me. I ended up winning them inexpensively on eBay, and threw in Zizonia because it was also inexpensive. Elixir is good. Malabah is a little more modern and mainstream than I was looking for. Zizonia? It's the real gem of the bunch. Classy without being dated. Doesn't smell synthetic. Nothing dominates. It's expertly blended. It's inoffensive, but not boring. Both my husband and I can wear it. I've only tried it in cold weather, but it seems like it would wear well in any season. Zizonia was the surprise favorite of my Penhaligan's purchases, and I'm so grateful I decided to order it.

This is a good scent. I'm not going to go mad about it, Zizonia is good! A fresh opening leads into Creamy woods and gentle spice. I get mainly geranium, nutmeg and sandalwood, cardamom (in fact a range of spice) but it's a mixture of really well blended notes. That's the story of Penhaligon's complex but oh so simple, I wasn't surprised this was aimed at women because I felt a certain soft, powdered femininity from it... but don't be fooled I'd wear it. My girlfriend however thought it was too minimal and didn't like it...not gonna find it in her christmas stocking then! It didn't last on my skin though, and I don't just mean in the way that many from this house don't, I mean it's very soft and close to the skin from the start.

It’s like a ginger/cardamom heaven... like walking out of the elegant barber shop in 4th.arrondissement in Paris in late May, on a recently showered, now sunny, street where the scent of lavender lingers in front of some new-age-vintage cosmetic shop next to the florist with a green grosser on the opposite side of the street...blissfully spicy warm freshness in the air... This beauty is 101% unisex mildly leaning towards male spectrum... If you are a collector do not hesitate for a second but grab it ASAP and enjoy every drop...