Night Scented Stock (1976)
by Penhaligon's

Firstly this smells very british , typical Penhaligon's - light and fresh ,much like the lightness ( not as in depth and longevity but sparkling freshness -as Chandler Burr has mentioned before ) of the Jo Malone's.
I am first hit by the lily, some violet ,jasmine . I feel there is little spice in here at all or I am missing it all together even though they are the head notes. I can smell the heliotrope ...It's well blended and just fresh ,quite exquisite. Not much in the way of patchouli or sandalwood on my skin .
The drydown is quite subtle and somewhat soapy.I would say this is firstly a ladies' floral - subtle and refined but a man could pull it off too .
Great for Ascot Ladies' Day or something like that ......

Night Scented Stock is both clever and beautiful. It's a mysterious, unusual floral, with great progression and depth. It starts (especially on the touche) as something light and translucent, then quickly evolves and 'blooms', opening up to become something deeper, bolder and more tenacious. I find the evolution of this scent to be one of its most enjoyable aspects.

As one who rarely favours florals (especially soliflores), I find this delightful, and very definitely feminine. On me, it is purply, somewhat peppery, with pronounced ylang ylang and violet notes, the creaminess of tonka and musk, and the very softest patchouli at its base. It's very fine. What's more, it has really good sillage and longevity.

NSS was first created in 1976, and it shares the pungency of some of the scents from that decade. What's refreshing is how 'new' and 'modern' it actually smells. Immediately prior to trying it, I'd been sampling yet another department store, fruity-floral confection, which was positively drippy and insipid by comparison. NSS really does have more edge and personality.

Damn -- this is gorgeous -- the top notes fly by and the beautiful middle takes over, especially the ylang ylang, seguing seamlessly to a gorgeous base. I kept being told the fragrance was 'unisex', but I had my doubts and I think the feminine classification is right. Sillage and longevity are outstanding. I may buy as a present and secretly spray.