Penhaligon’s – Juniper Sling – Good while it lasts 6.5/10
Juniper Sling from Penhaligon’s, as the name suggests, is based around gin. It opens with a refreshing blast of angelica, juniper berry, and orange brandy. It retains some of the fresh, top notes, but as it drys down, other notes, including spicy pepper and earthy green vetiver, come into play. There’s also a very prominent cooling cardamom note, and a touch of sweetness from cherry and sugar.
Juniper Sling takes its inspiration from London Dry Gin and the gin-drinking cocktail parties attended by the Bright Young Things of the Roaring Twenties. Unfortunately, the party ends too soon, Juniper Sling’s longevity and sillage are its most significant drawbacks. Skin scent after an hour and 2-4 hours longevity on skin.
The opening is undoubtedly my favourite part of Juniper Sling. The invigorating burst of top notes is bracing and does evoke the feeling of a gin and tonic. The dry down I feel needed to be fleshed out a little more, as the sugar and cherry could have perhaps been a little more prominent. It would have added a bit more interest than the musky vetiver dry-down that plays out on my skin.
As it stands, Juniper Sling is a very clean, expertly crafted scent that is well worth trying and works best in summertime, providing a different option than the usual citrus fare. I own a 100ml bottle of the perfume, and the larger size allows for constant spritzing during the day, enabling me to enjoy that fantastic energising opening. Those after better longevity, and fragrances along similar lines may want to check out Voyage d’Hermes and Frederic Malle’s Angeliques Sous La Pluie.
Quick Notes:
Launch Year: 2011.
Perfumer: Olivier Cresp.
Top notes: Angelica, cinnamon, orange, juniper berries.
Heart notes: Cardamom, orris, leather, pepper.
Base notes: Musk, vetiver, amber, cherry, sugar.
Longevity: 4 hours maximum.
Projection: 1 hour.
Season: Can be worn all year round, an inoffensive scent suitable for many occasions, but best for summer.
Price: 100ml EdP, $289 AUD.
Alternatives: Lubin Gin Fizz, Hermes Voyage d’Hermes, Frederic Malle Angeliques Sous La Pluie, Frapin L’Humaniste.
I am not familiar with Penhaligon’s scents, their prices really scare me away (at least here, they are very expensive). Like Roja scents, I don’t even try them, they are all over 500 euros, why should I bother? I love your description though, this one sounds pleasant!
Thanks for reading and commenting Tetê. Yes, they are quite expensive at full retail. Juniper Sling is a very nice one, and worth trying if you like gin and tonic type scents with juniper notes.
Great review of this lovely boozy scent, Daniel, even if it does fizzle out all too quickly.
Thanks for reading and commenting Rich.