With a history that has been deeply woven into the quilt of British perfumery, Penhaligon's embodies classic, theatrical and timeless fragrances. A barber by trade, founder William Penhaligon established the perfume house in the 1870s.
Experimenting with creating his own lotions, and alluring scents for his clients back at his barber, it wasn’t long till his luxurious elixirs caught the attention of London’s elite and the Royal Family. Having appointed William Penhaligon as Royal Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court during Queen Victoria’s reign, his perfumes have continued to impress over the century and are still as timeless and transcendent even in the modern perfumery era. Imbued with classic British heritage, it is one of the only brands to hold two prestigious Royal Warrants—granted by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and The Prince of Wales in 1988.
His first creation drew inspiration from the Turkish Baths he previously was a resident barber at—named the Hammam Bouquet; it was exotic and alluring and immediately sparked a movement. From there, Penhaligon's continued to add to their fabulous closet of fragrances and cultivated a perfumery legacy like no other.
He explained that “our fragrant adventures begin in the Victorian era of decadence and carry us into the future as we strive to create original scents for the discerning eccentrics of today”.
The Portraits Collection
Luxurious, regal and attributing to the evergreen English spirit, their Portraits collection is our highlight and is quite unique from the more traditional Penhaligon's fragrances. At first glance, you already notice the intricate and bold detailing of the hand polished animal heads adorned as the caps of the fragrance bottle—each animal embodying the spirit and notes of the perfume.
The exuberant family of scents houses ten different fragrances, all with quizzical names that add cheeky British charm to the character of the scents. Scroll through the entire collection below!
The Inimitable Mr Penhaligon
Serving as a self-portrait of the man behind the Penaligon dynasty, this scent overcomes you with a vetiver haze—warm, fresh and earthy.
Other noteworthy collections include the Penhaligon's British Tales and Trade Routes. Adored by many and serendipitously named The Favourite, this scent is mischievous, playful and daring and sits at the heart of the British Tales family. The majestic scent is a bouquet of iris and musk that then greets you with an inviting blanket of sandalwood.
For a more spicier affair, we turn to Cairo—a star of the Trade Routes collection. Encapsulating the essence of a sublime sun rise in the city of Cairo, it envelops you with a wave of warm saffron spice. Damascena rose and labdanum bloom join the fold, with sensual patchouli following soon after.
Intimate, intrinsic and everlasting, the Penhaligon's legacy will continue to stand the test of time. Whether you prefer more modern flairs or deep-rooted traditional scents, Penhaligon intertwines and honours the spirit of the perfume house that William Penhaligon established all those years ago.
For a more intimate introduction to Penhaligon, they will now be available at Escentials KLCC, where you'll be able to experience their entire collection first hand. Let its tantalising magic envelop you as you explore their full banquet of discerning notes and tales. If you already have a favourite, and would like the more convenient option, Penhaligon will also be available through the Escentials website as well.
If you'd like to shop Penhaligon's and learn more about their wondrous collection, click here! And for more visual inspiration, head over to their Instagram, here!
