99 Regent Street (2006)
by Hugh Parsons

A typical fruity aquatic, but with more fruit than aquatic. The opening seems almost like strawberry Millesime Imperial to begin with, but quickly deteriorates into a more appley Eternity/Adidas Moves/Greenergy type of affair. (What naive hope and optimism it had...and their Traditional Blue is a fairly nice MI cousin!) The sweetness is such that the apple could only be a red candy apple, and it brings with it the sharp nostril-burning that I've come to expect from low-end fruit scents. That extra bit of cinnamon almost brings me to take pity on it, but not quite. Fortunately the sweetness backs off a tiny bit in the base, and a bit more dry woods show through, but it still smells like something I'd use to clean my furniture.

27th April, 2011.

If you love violet, this one’s for you. I find the violet notes in 99 Regent Street completely overwhelming to the exclusion of the other, more desirable, notes. I dislike the synthetic violet note that is included in so many of these fragrances now days – I’m talking unconditional hatred for several of them. If you, like me, dislike the synthetic violet notes of modern perfumery, forget about 99, Regent Street… it’s as violently violet as Grey Flannel.

1st February, 2010.

This is a fine, cool, mildly aloof fragrance that is excellent for the warmer months. I think it would suit a lot of men who are on the fence about fragrances. It is not sweet, and has a lively clean but rich essence. Violet leaf is not my favorite smell, and I am not going to suggest for a moment that 99 Regent St. would ever be a signature scent for me, but I am happy that I own it, and think that it has a place in one's wardrobe when one needs something that is both distinctive yet a touch formal , without being arrogant. One could wear this to an interview or a meeting that one knows in advance is not going to be entirely pleasant yet one wants to go in there with a smile on his face and wants to project a touch of savoir faire. I don't go to this one a lot, but life is fully of challenges and there are going to be days when 99 Regent St. helps with some of them.

When I think of who would be perfect in 99 Regent St. I think of Adolfe Menjou or Clark Gable from the olden days; today, Clive Owen (I know, I know he does ads blah, blah, blah) or Daniel Craig. This would be excellent for a man with style and a bit of an edge. It is not pretty but it is clean and compelling and just plain excellent. It wold suit an man of charm and composure who doesn't get pushed around. The more I wear it the more I really like it. I am sorry that Barney's had it for a season, then it disappeared. It makes me sick, but that's the way it is. For now, when I run out I will go to "First in Fragrances" in Germany and stock up.

11th January, 2010. (Last Edited: 28th January, 2011.)

A fresh and sparkling blend of florals, resin, musk, and amber. This is a stimulating scent, which energizes with its unique blend of orris, geranium, and white florals skillfully blended with sweet violet and rooted in mastic resin, vegetable musk, and amber. The orris plays its powdery note against the resin in a surprising harmony, as the other notes chime in to balance and blend. This has good longevity and moderate sillage; it's just the thing for the office on a mild,sunny day.

27th October, 2008.

A fresh violet scent much like Dunhill Fresh with a bit of a sandalwood top note.

25th October, 2008.

I find this scent to be very well made. It is classified as a woody floral. Although the listed pyramid includes notes of Mastic, Violet, Geranium Leaves, Jasmine, Freesia, Orris, Musk, Amber Seeds and Ambergris, it could almost be called an orris soliflore. For those who are looking for a dry masculine floral, you may have hit the mother-lode with this one. I find that orris as a fragrance note becomes both boring and irritating after a time. I do think I will find occasional rotation in my wardrobe for this scent, but only on those days when I want a wistful hit of orris.

20th October, 2008.