9/10/26
Okay, this one has me in a bit of a conundrum. I got it massively on sale (from where I don’t remember) and it arrived in it’s pretty packaging. But when I tried it, a big meh. To the point where I am not sure that I wasn’t diddled. It definitely has a scent to it: woody pencils in a leather case. It has decent throw (for a Penhaligon, I suppose)
From Frangrantica: Halfeti was launched in 2015. The nose behind this fragrance is Christian Provenzano. Top notes are Cypress Leaf, Saffron, Cardamom, Artemisia, Bergamot and Grapefruit; middle notes are Bulgarian Rose, Nutmeg and Jasmine; base notes are Agarwood (Oud), Cedar, Leather, Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Musk.
I really think I may need to go find a retailer that has a bottle so I can compare. The blurbs all keep stating “rich” and I am not getting that. What I am getting is nice, but I am not sure if this is just “rich” by Penhaligon standards (since I know them for ones like Bluebell or Blenheim Bouquet) I see that StC has this to sample so I will report back.
Babe Paley, Sandalwood Hater
9/15/26
Well, I got a sample from StC and it’s the same. Strong sandalwood (remember that dig about “too much sandalwood for a woman with her face” in Capote versus the Swans?) and pencil shavings. Which means that it is (to me at least) just not very interesting.
You can get it for scandalously low prices on the interwebs where I got it, or you can pay over $300 at Bloomingdales. Samples are available at Surrender to Chance.
Images: my iPhone, Pexels, Wikimedia Commons.
I find most of the modern releases pretty forgettable but the older ones I do have are some of my favorite perfumes. Juniper Sling, Elixir, Hammam Bouquet, Malabah, and Sartorial. Their orange blossom is also quite nice though the sort of thing that can be found easily at a much lower price point.
Yes I prefer the older ones too. And they’re less expensive.
Whoa that is wild! Penhaligon generally doesn’t do it for me, it’s always a mishmash with too much of the “wrong” notes. I think I have one … Malabah maybe? The notes of this one sound okay until we get to the part where basically it has no smell lol.
It has smell. It’s just not that interesting. To me at least.
How disappointing! I’m sorry you went through all that just to get “meh.” I really enjoy their Iris Prima — think iris + ballet slippers. But it’s a softie too.
It’s a mild disappointment at the price I paid. At $300?
This sounds like a snooze! A nice snooze… but a snooze nonetheless
I love Penhaligon’s bottles but the only one I have is their… Lilac? Maybe ( must check)
I have a couple. Like Bluebell and something else that’s very David Hamilton.
This one is not me at all.
Heya Tom,
What a shame Halfeti Leather is a dirge on you. I’ve got a bottle and love it. Leather and wood chips and a bit of funk is OK by me.
Fave Penhaligon’s? My most worn by far is Belgravia Chypre.
Portia xx
Oh, if it wouldn’t cost more than a small used car I’d ship it to you.
If I even could.
HA! Thanks Tom.
Can one ship to and fro? It’s never sure these days..
Oh, Penhaligon. Perfume schizophrenia. What a strange brand.
i was very pleased to see you writing about this as I’d seen an article in a newspaper style section about someone loving it and was curious. not so much now.
Fave Penhaligon? The long gone anomaly Amaranthine.
I like the older ones myself. This one was just “meh” but having typed that you know that subtlety is not my jam.
Amaranthine is my one and only Penhaligon. That one can certainly be called rich! I usually run screaming from the cedar shavings notes, so Halfeti sounds like a no to me. I’ve always found Babe Paley and the swans fascinating. So much and at the same time so little power.
Years ago, someone sent me a decant of Amaranthine. It leaked everywhere, the spray mechanism stopped working, and eventually I just had to divest it. I should have just busted it open and put it in something else. I miss Amaranthine.
The Penhaligon that I really liked was Ostara. I still have a little bit of my bottle left because when it’s gone, it’s really gone. For the most part Penjaligon is meh for me and the ones that are sorta kinda nice are too expensive for what they are. I did recently try Parfum d’Empire Un Bel Amour d’Ete. I couldn’t decide what I felt about it but by the time I finished my sample I knew that I definitely wouldn’t mind having a bottle. Don’t see any at discounters though.
Prices are just getting silly. I don’t need a chromed rams head on the bottle, I just want good juice..
I couldn’t agree more!
Right?
I like that some places offer refill sizes.