Where to Wear: The 3 Halfeti Fragrances by Penhaligon's

Today I'm going to take a brief look at the 3 Halfeti Fragrances from Penhaligon's. Helfeti Leather, Halfeti (Original) and the Halfeti Cedar. I've been road-testing these amazing fragrances for the past couple of weeks and have got to rekindle my love affair for both the orient and British perfume house Penhaligon's. 

HALFETI CEDAR

First impressions are this is got a spicy rum kick to it. Much like settling in to a warm cocktail by a campfire. In fact it has a very outdoorsy-woodsy camp fire vibe to it. Much like how wine tasters will use the phrase 'forest floor', this is what comes to mind immediately. 

It's rum and dried fruits to open, and then settles with some woods and spicy on the dry down. All beautifully enmeshed in a spinning kaleidoscopic eruption of mineral accords, vanilla notes and tonka beans. For those outdoor walks in Winter. For those outdoor Christmas events, for those late night impulsive BBQ's because why not.  

HALFETI LEATHER

This is a scent that one can obsess over. In fact that’s what I was doing, checking my wrist every ten minutes. It's a fresh and vigorous infusion of bergamot and aromatic touches. 

It has somehow tuned into an area of nostalgia. Maybe picking sloe berries for the homemade gin with your Dad. The leather spices reconnect times fishing on a small rental boat with a family friend along the Norfolk Broads. Or something distant, illusory, like a holiday you dreamed of or saw in an old black and white movie once. 

Vague enough? Well sorry, but this one casts quite a net. And the main takeaway is that it's a scent that transports you. The oud, the amber, it's bold and daring. Tailored for the night time wear, in the cooler months. This to me is seasonal, and now is the time. 

I would wear this to events where you'd like to look your peers in the eyes and say, I'm one of you now. I belong at this table, now hand me that cigar and pour me a bourbon. 

HALFETI

The original Halfeti by Penhaligon's is an Amber Woody fragrance for women and men. Halfeti was launched in 2015.

I remember the original when it first came out. I managed to get hold of a sample as part of a bundled gifting pack for a press event. I got the train home after the event, tried it on, and a lady on the train remarked on how nice it was. I'll admit I had a good couple of negronis and gave her the sample bottle as a present. 

So this was a welcome return to my shelf. It has a very persuasive woody-floral composition. It follows through with an undercurrent of citrus and all uniquely packaged with a dry down of sweet cinnamon and cedarwood. There is something enigmatic about the original that it's proteges lack. 

Of all the Halfetis it is the most evocative. Most masculine. It's projects the most and really delivers on the oud. I still think the Leather is the most enduring and impactful scent of the three, but there will always be a place in my heart for the original. I would keep these for dinner dates. Maybe an important get together with the guys and possible red carpet/black tie events.