Town & Country

I was always wary of Clive Christian’s marketing claiming their formulation of Town & Country was Winston Churchill’s signature scent. It felt like such a modern and contemporary fragrance, it seemed unlikely such a scent was released in 1925. When I finally got a bottle of the ORIGINAL Town & Country by The Crown Perfumery, I realised the truth. This is a very classical aromatic fougere, extremely masculine and authentically old school, reminiscent of the time period. The lavender in here is phenomenal - photorealistic as though the plant is right in front of you. I also get a strong burst of sharp citruses which isn’t listed but definitely seems to be there, alongside the intensely aromatic and herbaceous contrast of sage, thyme and Rosemary. This definitely feels more like a scent Winston Churchill would actually wear, Clive Christian’s false marketing strikes again it seems. If you’re a lover of classical fougeres this is a must try - I’m not usually a fougere lover but I adore this scent.

Classic English perfumery at its best. Lots of lavender, balsamic elements, a bright citrus opening, and a zesty, slightly medicinal, herbal/woody base. The juxtaposition of "town" and "country" in the name is well appointed. Similar to Blenheim Bouquet, this one has a duality of nature and projects a mixed message. It has elements of a proper, somewhat foppish British town elegance, especially at the opening, but also a coarser, more astringent, somewhat dirty (borderline fecal) discordant chord that calls out the dirty farmer hands of the country. Unlike Blenheim Bouquet, where the discordant note creates an air of dismissive, haughty superiority, the minor chord in this fragrance is humbling and inviting.

A collector's item, - a classic from another age, recreated by Clive Christian before the company finally became defunct. It's the classic barbershop Fougère: bracing, with a zing of citrus and balmy lavender and herbs. It summons up scenes from PG Woodehouse or Evelyn Waugh : England in the twenties, with a country gentleman pining for his garden in the Home Counties as he prepares for another day at The Stock Exchange or in Whitehall before a rather nice dinner at his London Club. If you see a bottle of this version online, grab it with both hands. I see Christian has relaunched it as 'Town & Country Eau de Parfum' in his usual, unjustifiably exorbitant price bracket.

Bought this in 2013. Sprayed it a few times. Cat piss. Back of the cabinet. I’ve tried it a few times since. Still smells like cat piss to me. It’s fairly monodimensional and pungent. When I really smell it I can distinguish that what I’m smelling is an accord of citrus and green stuff, but it’s not a pleasant one to my nose.