Friday, May 05, 2006

REVIEW: Penhaligon's Opus 1870 (2005)


Notes: Black pepper, clove rose, warm woods, musk.

Pros: Light, unassuming, surprisingly fresh considering the notes.

Cons: Sillage and longevity are minimal.

Reminds me of: Has the same lightness as Sander for Men; L'Artisan Navegar; similar framework as Hermes Rocabar.

Development: None really...The pepper quickly fades leaving a light, rose and woods aroma.

Longevity: Minimal - 2 hours that I could actually smell it on me, and then it stayed close to the skin.

Sillage: Quiet.

Where can I buy it? $80 for a 100ml spray at Penhaligons.

Bottleworthy? Better try this one first...

The Bottom Line: I'm a huge fan of Hammam and Endymion, and have an appreciation for many of the others, so it was with high hopes that I blindly purchased this. Truly a simple and sophisticated scent for warmer weather, Opus 1870 is a quiet fragrance that stays close to the skin. The rose lends a sweet floral hint, but most of the fragrance's personality comes from the warm woods. Reminding me of a "Rocabar Light", I almost detect a little leather and tobacco. I think this could easily be a holy grail scent for some folks, so best not to dismiss this one and try and give it some time on your skin. I still can't decide whether I like it or I'll pass on it....

Rating (out of 10): 6
Decants available, email me!
What's your favorite Penhaligon's scent?

4 comments:

katiedid said...

Oooh, I know I have a sample of Hammam tucked away somewhere or another - thanks, that's good motivation to dig it out.

The only Penhaligon that really ever felt satisfying to me (thus far) is their Douro. I just like it, & I can't explain.

marlen said...

Katie - ya know, Douro is one of the scents I haven't yet tried by them...Need to get to a penhaligon's shop one of these days...

Anonymous said...

While Opus 1870 is my favorite Penhaligon's fragrance, I have to say that I was quite underwhelmed by the house as a whole. Perhaps it is my current teenage want for fragrances that have some oomph (the most subtle fragrances in my collection being John Varvatos and CdG Kyoto and my top 4 being Dreamer, Rive Gauche, Vetiver Extraordinair, and Kouros eau d'ete)but I just dont find myself wowed whenever I smell a Penhaligon's fragrance. Hmmm perhaps Im just not haute perfumerie material. Although, I have found myself wearing Opus 1870 on cool days when Im just lounging around relaxing... Maybe there is a chance for me lol.

Anonymous said...

Actually, i don't find any of the Pg's scents to be very elaborate nor very "layered", and you are right the longevity is minimal (as usual with the other frags from this house)...but my favorites would be: violette, lily of the valley (not quite the real thing and poor longevity as well, but i like it) and Hammam Bouquet!.