Castile (1998)
by Penhaligon's

This is a great summer scent in the lines of a classic EdC. Starts a bit citrusy in the same veins as AdP, but quickly settles into a very nice orange and neroli throughout. There is some hints of florals in their (rose?), but overall a very nice and pretty much linear classic summer cologne fragrance that wears pretty light.

9th February, 2012.

A fragrance similar in character to Blenheim Bouquet, but the citrus is not quite as bitter or distinct in this. There seems to be a soft orange blossom floral and herbal base, over which lemons and lavender glisten away. Undoubtedly pleasant, but a little too conservative for my tastes.

28th December, 2011.

A nice neroli orange blossom fragrance that is perfect for that out of the shower into the Summer sun feeling.

It does have a soapy vibe and is a tad boring if worn to much but it does have a good opening and a aromatic charm to its character.

20th October, 2011.

The opening is a blast of neroli and it's diluted honey effect. I do get the faintest of rose in this scent, and it is a green edged, new bud rose, but this never overwhelms the neroli. This is fresh, soapy and full of orange blossom. And true to Penhaligon's usual construction, the notes are clear and concise.

It does not last long, but for it's purpose and for this type of fragrance, it is a fault that I can overlook. After all, you can only feel freshly showered for so long, until, well, you are not.

1st October, 2011.

A "no surprise" eau de cologne. A blast of neroli/orange blossom in the opening joined by a subtle rose note and some floral patterns. Musk does a remarkable part during the drydown. Simple and somehow rich of clichè. I'm not the biggest fan of this type of fragrances, but my preference would go for other (legendary) compositions in the same genere. However, if you're into ADP and the likes, you may like Castile (assuming you don't get easily annoyed by a strong soapy vibe). Not for me.

7th August, 2011.

I shouldn't really like this. It's a summery, soapy floral lemon to start with, like a mixture of Acqua di Parma and a good eau de cologne such as Extra Vieille. Maybe it's missing the rose in former, or the saltier herbs in the latter, but either way it just feels better balanced to me. Sniffing closer after a few minutes, it's a bit darker and greener with a wet, rich grassiness, but still somehow light and crisp; a combination seen in some of the better Gendarme scents such as Green. In the end, unfortunately, little is left beyond a well-groomed florid soap aura.

Generally I'm very harsh in my judgments of Pen's scents because many have a common theme that seems too "perfumey" and feminine to me...Castile almost should as well, with such extensive floral notes, but I think it avoids that by its crispness, and ends up somehow unisex in a well-put-together way. Be prepared for the drop-off in strength later on, but I'd say that's forgiveable in this scent family.

23rd January, 2011.