Cornubia (1991)
by Penhaligon's

white floral-oriental. orange blossom heliotrope clouds condense into an absolute, obdurate softness with the notes one big puddle, later met with a dollop of spices in the heart.
It persists and the vanillic drydown is worthy of admiration by itself.

For the penhaligon's brand image (urbane, understated, staid) this one is somewhat anomalous in terms of strength, with very good sillage and longevity.

The scent itself is just shy of full opulence relative to other florientals, so take that as you will.

A truly nice mix, Cornubia is a combination of heliotrope, with its sweet marzipan smell, fused together with clove. There's a really nice cherry/jasmine/rose element in the topnotes, as well as powdery vanilla soap in the base.

I like Cornubia, but (and this is going to sound kind of ridiculous) I find it frustrating because it's *almost* wonderful. With a little more effort (perhaps some chypre basenotes for added complexity, a little sparkle on top, and tweaks to the concentration to amplify the richness), this could have been a masterwork along the lines of the legendary Carons and Guerlains. Don't get me wrong - Cornubia is a good perfume and deserves an enthusiastic thumbs-up, but I just wish they'd put in the extra effort to create something amazing for the ages.

The other reviewers on this page have obviously smelled something totally different than what arrived in my sample- directly from Penhaligon's. I got a reedy, tweedy dry blast and then nothing for an hour, finally resolving itself into a warm, vanilla musk, but no florals at all.

Their Artemesia seems to have been copied somewhat for Cornubia. The same reedy, woody initial scent, then warm vanillas and musks.

Nothing outstanding and too much like the earlier scent to be distinguished.

Feminine and comforting - the heliotrope is responsible for the luxuriously comforting quality, I think. Lasts very well and doesn't overpower the wearer or the people around them. A truly charming fragrance.

This fragrance is all drama, top hats, ebony canes, velvet bow ties, starched wing collars and black morning coats, not to forget the lipstick and painted on mustache. This is a night at the opera with a twist darling. Cornubia allows the wearer to peer into a hazy fantasy exclusive to the 1920's, a fantasy of beauty and glamour, where rubbing shoulders with high society and aristocrats is where its really at.

Cornubia is an eccentric old dame showing up at the opera draped in her androgynous guise of top hat, cane, bow tie and black suit. Much to the amusement of some and absolute disgust of others, not that she cares!

Cornubia is a BIG fragrance that lasts all day and night. Mandarin and Freesia perch themselves boldly on Cornubias head. As we move from head to heart we are greeted by the alluring Heliotrope note, the piece de resistance of the scent in my opinion. This heliotrope note takes a baby powder meets sweet almond character as opposed to some fruitier heliotropes I have come across the fruitiness coming more from the mandarin which is not at all fleeting. Heliotrope is paired beautifully with jasmine and orange blossom to create a fuller heart working in unison alongside the mandarin/freesia top creating a huge bouquet of white flowers. As the show moves into its final movement we are taken deeper into Cornubia's sweet musky sensuality with a base of vanilla amber and musk, a perfect end to a sublime show. This is a drama trickling with black cherry liquor and a healthy dose of chocolat.

As she enters her 25' Rolls Royce Phantom 1 she pauses for the camera's........ and we are left with an image that Brassai himself would be happy with.