Quercus Penhaligon`s for men

I adore Penhaligon's collection, and I collect some. The first impression for me was Quercus is similar like... you know what. So, I never try it again, or even "put" it on my collection list.
However, after a few months since that first impression, I try again Quercus. This time, I sprayed it in wrist. I sniff it all day, and I found a gap between Quercus and "that one"... Like what they said before me, Quercus is more "calm", or if I can say more "elegant". Now, I have a dilemma. Should I have it, or leave it...

Penhaligon's says it's unisex. When I stayed at the Fairmont, all of their little toiletries were Quercus. It's fresh & clean with a soft woodsy base. The citrus is not overwhelming in any way (I can be sensitive to citrus). It was hard to find in the US, but I was very excited when I stumbled upon a boutique that sold Penhaligon's. I bought a large bottle, which was the most I'd ever spent on perfume in my life up until that point.

So imagine how annoyed I was when my friend commented that I smelled like CK1. To be honest, CK1 never even crossed my mind, and I'm very familiar with it. Still, I have not been able to wear it since then. My dad loves it. He says it's "very pretty." He is not a fan of those typical masculine colognes. I'm happy to let him borrow it, and I don't think of CK1 when he wears it.

To my nose, the notes on this are slightly misleading and a tad simplistic. What I detect is quite contrary and no doubt what Mr Penhaligon was intending (actually the man's been dead over a hundred years).

The opening to my mind is like the heady astringency of a freshly opened foil packet of Smith’s Crisps (potato chips) – the Salt n Vinegar flavour that one can only reliably find in downmarket British inner city working-class pubs.

This salt n vinegar note is over almost as quickly as a packet of Smiths Crisps by a hungry drunk who has skipped dinner and is desperate to eat some greasy snacks as his sixth pint of lager swills about his empty stomach.

It is overtaken by furniture polish and brasso that enhances the symphony of British Pub notes. One can almost detect the acrid petroleum based “brasso” and reek of furniture polish spray which is balanced by the subdued pong of old damp pub carpet that has been infused with spilt beer and cigarette smoke from the 1980s and trodden in grit and dust that has been traipsed in by patrons gagging for a pint straight off the building site with little hopes of greater aspirations.

The dry down is a muted petroleum smudge with a hint of an ink stain and an old damp kitchen cloth that needs to be laundered or thrown away. Overall a perfect homage to a dank British Pub in the 1980s.

What a breath of fresh air! I'm liking Quercus, but I do think it dips it foot further inside the man cave than i would like (i.e, i would prefer this on my SO rather than myself)

I really can't think of anything negative to say about this. Teh citrus opening is spot on (love it, actually), and the drydown is flawless. I"m surprised it was created in 1999, it has a more 'mature' feeling to me, as if it were made at the turn of the century.

thumbs up!

Quercus is Latin for oak, and brings to mind strong woody aromas, greens, leaves and an earthy rooted feel; masculine, yet beautiful and warm...strong enough to stand firm, but supple enough to sway with the Wind,Penhaligon hit the nail on the head with this one!

Quercus begins with an utterly beautiful citrus melange that really shines. Not too much of any one particular citrus, but the best of all of them. The mint adds a fresh aromatic greeness to it without the menthol aftertaste or biting pungency. As it dries and begins to develop on the skin, it reveals a muguet and jasmine combo that is clean and not too floral, but still sexy and verdant. Cardamom adds its subtle aqueous spice to this and keeps it from getting too feminine, but guys have a softer side too,(they just don't show it as much!). The basenotes develop on me, but they are very understated: the galbanum whspers, as opposed to it's normally loud scent, and the woods are delicate but firm. The oakmoss is breezy and adds that chypre-ness to the overall feel and the amber-musk adds depth without too much 'stink' (I mean that in the classic and not derogatory meaning!)An extremely elegant scent that is very clean and light, with just enough prescence to linger, but not overpower. Nice enough to be unisex, but probably would do better on a man.

Sillage: decent
Longevity: good
Overall: 4.25/5

I can see why many compare this to cK 1, but I find this scent to be far more elegant and refined than cK1 and would wear it more for special occasions as opposed to an everyday scent. cK1 is great, don't get me wrong; it's just that Penhaligon scents are (besides much more expensive) more natural smelling and quite a bit better constructed on the whole. I am very pleased with my first samplings from this house and see a bleak bank balance in my future...

Penhaligon QUERCUS is a uniquely structured fragrance. It opens very aromatically, with lots of bright citrus and vibrant basil. Next it settles into a greenish chypre peppered with lily of the valley. Incredibly, however, the drydown becomes aromatic once again: cardamom mingles with a woody-musk base, along with a touch of citrus oil.

I like this composition a lot and don't think that it belongs only to men. QUERCUS seems a fine summertime scent for anyone looking for a very natural-feeling citrus aromatic floral green chypre!

It reminds me Issey Miyake L'eau d'Issey.

good and enough expensive cologne, but not the best(for me). very beautiful and traditional shape of the bottle

Lots of People compare this one with CK one. They did smell alike, but they present totally different characters. One is symbol of Pop culture, the other stands for, let say, a modesty tradition.

Generally speaking, CKone presents notes in a showy way: sharp citrus, loud and spicy floral notes(jasmine with muguet)... but Quercus always smells much more softer and peaceful, the same citrus and floral seem to be tamed.

My impression: CKone is a piece of glitter glass, shiny and colorful. Quercus is a piece of soft velvet shimmering under the moonlight.