Reviews of Quercus (1996)
by Penhaligon's

The top notes of Lemon, Lime and Mandarin combined with Bergamot create a very slight citric opening which feels too meek for comfort. It reminds me of Nivea Shaving Balm in the early stages, which for a fragrance of this pedigree is highly disappointing. However, the drydown is far more refined and closer to what I had hoped for from the outset. The base of Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Galbanum, Musk and Amber are olfactory stalwarts which ensure that Quercus finishes very well. If the opening had been more enterprising I would have loved this, as it is, this is an unbalanced let down.

no no no
why would you want to buy a 100ml for £70 of this when you could just go and a 200ml bottle for £20 from ck one,
ok its not a bad smell light fresh and easy to wear, but i think they are just to much of a likness for me

A faint herbal-citrus cologne that doesn't last long. I’d rather spend my hard-earned cash on something else, thanks.

I really wanted to like Quercus more than I did. I am a sucker for traditonal, luxury items of quality and adore the classically stylish Penhaligon's bottles. My favorite genre of perfume is probably citrus.

But, Quercus, was just ho hum. It was a thin citrus fragrance with musky notes, none of which had much depth or complexity. It seemed watery and weak, and needless to say it did not last long on my skin. Smell-wise, Quercus reminded me a lot of CKOne and who wants to remember that?

I think the biggest obstacle Quercus faces is strong competition from fellow colognes. Its own sister Blenheim Bouquet is a wonderfully sunny floral chyprel that leaves Quercus in the shade and raises the question as to why Penhaligon's feels the need to carry both fragrances. Also easily outclassing Quercus are Parfums de Nicolai's Balle de Match, Chanel Eau de Cologne, Eau de Rochas and Bulgari's The Vert Extreme.

Here are the notes from Pehhaligon's website: Top- Cardamom, Galbanum, Lime, Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin; Middle- Jasmine, Muguet; Base- Sandalwood, Treemoss, Musk.

Upon application, Quercus seems like a nice, if rather bland, light, refreshing citrus fragrance for summer. Unfortunately, the citrus topnote evaporates quickly, leaving a nondescript, generic, and extremely faint synthetically "fresh" and "cool" man's cologne type scent.

The other day, while walking past The Help's room, I noticed a strangely familiar fragrance emanating from within (much too strongly, I might add). "That's strange..." I thought, "has she gone into my wardrobe and doused herself with my Quercus?" A bit later I tracked her down and commented on the loveliness of her scent. "It's ck one's...been wearing it for years." Crushing blow delivered. I gave her what was left of my bottle of the Penhaligans...she's a good worker.

Very pleasant. And yes, it does smell just like ck One. I had loved ck One many years ago and had the chance to wear it again recently. ck One must have changed because it didn't smell like it used to. But Quercus here, smells exactly what I remember ck One smelling like. Neutral but citrus and other smooth notes like basil. A traditional house's take on making a modern fragrance.

Pleasant enough, but you know what, I've smelled it somewhere before. That's right folks, cK One. While the synthetic edges of cK One has been polished here and Quercus has a little more depth, I would have difficulty sorting out the two in a blind test. I don't see the point of getting this one when you can buy a bottle of cK One for 1/3 of its price.

The opening of Quercus has lemon-lime and green basil notes which are refreshing and lively. The floral notes are effectively used for a man’s fragrance: they soften but are not sweet and do not dominate. There is an attractive moss base, with a tiny bit of spicy green galbanum. A bit of sandalwood peeks through as well. This is a medium-toned scent: it is attractive in a low-key way. I find it pleasant, but not compelling or distinctive. Maybe there is tad too much patchouli/musk at the end, and the green and crisp notes fade into a conclusion that seems fuzzy and a bit muddled. I appreciate Quercus but wouldn’t seek it out.

Quercus has bright, tangy citrus topnotes surrounded by a very cool barbershop lavender in a classic men’s cologne opening, which it never travels very far from. Some resinous woods lend structure, and an occasional floral note flits by, but Quercus is a very simple citrus formula. It’s tart and it’s uplifting, but its also relatively weak, short-lived and ordinary.

I was underwhelmed by Quercus. After a strong black pepper blast, I got nothing of its 14 ingredients but a a dry, reedy, woody note - no complexity, simple one note scent. It always amazes me when I read of voluminous ingredients in a cologne and I am unable to detect more than one or two.

Quercus is acceptable but mediocre.

Cardamom, lime, lemon, mandarin, galbanum/ jasmine, muguet/ sandalwood, treemoss, musk. Translation: a less sharp more natural version of CK1. I am not alone in this simplistic yet acurate review of this fragrance. The similarities are uncanny. Now you know... a fresh light citrus. A modern turn for the traditional Penhaligon's.

On my quirky skin, Quercus started off bland. Within an hour, it turned heavy and nauseating - and wouldn't scrub off.

I =heart= the detail and subtlety of foetidus' reviews, but for me to experience his descripton of Quercus, I'm going to have to smell it on someone else.

Quercus starts out with a sharp fresh and lively opening of citrus, basil, and galbanum; and since basil is my favorite herb for both smelling and eating, I highly approve of the way the fragrance is introduced. The basil is aromatically delicious and is the perfect herb for combining with this excellent citrus accord. The mid notes are quite simple and very attractive—there is a very warm cardamom / jasmine accord that retains some of the aromatics of the opening. These heart notes move the fragrance from the cooler beginning to a warmer feeling that continues to the end.

The base is a very pleasant moss / musk with a little green still hanging around from the upper notes—to my nose the woods retreats to the background and don’t make much of an impression on me, leaving a very light drydown to complete the fragrance’s progress. The entire scent is light and remarkably uplifting. This is a fine, fine creation.

Smells like a clone of Chrome, which smells like slightly beefed up CK One. I notice both Azzaro Chrome and Quercus released in the same year? Clone coincidence? Complete clone though. Complete.

great scent starts off with citrus with a dry down of wood and musk, light and fresh this is an elegant fragrance as this is a sample i`m hoping a full bottle will be just as good definitely a good buy

I love this scent. It is clean and crisp. I can wear it anywhere, any season. I would describe it as a woody scent but by no means overbearing or heavy. It is the only fragrance that has a permanent place in my travel bag.