Penhaligon’s – Halfeti Leather – Another week, another flanker. Again, it’s another flanker of a scent that I didn’t enjoy in its original iteration. I found Halfeti to be a loud, harsh, synthetic rendering of rose/oud, without too many redeeming features. Halfeti Leather smooths out a few of the rough edges and injects a boozy plum element. True to the name, the leather shines through, and spices and incense provide a solid backbone. However, I feel superior leather, rose, and oud scents are available on the market. Perfumes like Rose d’Arabie from Armani Prive, Tuscan Leather from Tom Ford do this better. Chambre Noire, a boozy plum leather, is also worth a sniff if you’re looking for something in a similar realm.
Halfeti Leather still feels harsh and synthetic. Cardamom adds a layer of sweetness and spice. The floral aspects of Halfeti, i.e., the rose, are downplayed. The addition of incense ensures a darker composition, but it feels like an attempt to appease the niche head. I had hoped to get more of the plum component, but the notes, as mentioned earlier, dominate on my skin. It lasts longer than the original, but all in all, I prefer the airiness of Halfeti, and that’s something I never thought I’d say.
Have you tried Halfeti Leather? Do you prefer the original?