Victorian Posy (1979)
by Penhaligon's

VICTORIAN POSY is a finely wrought floral chypre that pays tribute to bygone eras when men think nothing of wearing floral fragrances. I could detect some citrus, galbanum, violet, rose, vetiver, amber and patchouli. There was even a moment when it reminded me of Chanel No.19! For a chypre it feels a little dry; perhaps whatever moss it used to have must have been rooted out by IFRA-mandated reformulations to the extent it now wears more like a traditional floral-based eau. But I still enjoy the subtle fluctuations between the floral and earthy elements.

Can a guy wear this? Absolutely. I'm just surprised this 1979 Penhaligon release has stayed under the radar for as long as it had. Obviously the dandies haven't been looking hard enough. So a big thank you to MFJ for bringing this charming little gem to my attention.

3rd January, 2011.

Its a great shame that this isn't more popular, as its warm, floral tones take one back to an old library or prizing open an ancient box full of memories. It has the charm and sweetness of Bluebell, yet it is much fuller and richer. It is a classic Penhaligon's fragrance, with a distinctive air of agedness about it. Its unmistakably vintage feel should ensure that if there is ever a 1940's revival, this is what everyone should be wearing!

Although it is seen as a lady's fragrance, it can also wear beautifully on men in the same way as Hammam Bouquet or English Fern. One wallflower to certainly give a look-in :)

18th November, 2009.

nice opening on this clean refreshing fragrance . . .

11th August, 2009.

This most definitely a floral chypre. A glorious English garden erupts in the top notes, a panoply of flowers, with a wonderful sweet rose note topping out all of them. It dries down into a more woodsy coniferous blend with a still luscious floral flirtation eeking through. I bought this for myself to wear because it has something compulsive about it. It smells like a traditional male chypre on male skin, but retains a luscious floral edge to it even in the far drydown. The florals become almost illusive. If you wear this on the back of your hand it will surprise you because you will smell this sweet aura around you evocative of gardenias but when you press nose to flesh you will get thick woods akin to Quorum almost. It is, as is common with Penhaligon's a wonderfully complex fragrance, opulent in its blending. I disagree that it's not unisex, I think it is as unisex as they come. Personally? I love it.

9th March, 2009.

Sharp floral opening, rose and hyacinth, certainly not unisex, seems old fashioned to me

5th March, 2009.

I really enjoyed this scent on paper, an interesting floral chypre among Penhaligon's rather bland concoctions! Unfortunately, it was horrid on skin. Absolutely vile, the worst kind of musty, stale, sickening, cheap 70ies chypre.

13rd August, 2008.