The Spicy, Floral and Woody Scent of Turkey Captured by Penhaligon’s

Turkey, in particular Istanbul, is one of my favourite places in the world. I know, that’s quite a statement but it is 100% true. If I had the choice, I would visit at least once a month. As that is not possible, at the moment, I am always looking for things that remind me of my love. Historically, I would make Turkish food recipes and buy Turkish Baklava. I will never stop eating Turkish food but I have now found something that embodies everything that Turkey is to me, Penhaligon’s Halfeti perfume. For me, this is Turkey in a bottle and I shower myself in its fragrant mist at every opportunity!

A Collaboration

I have one person to thank for the introduction to Halfeti, Penhaligon’s International Education Manager Dominic Collingreen.

Dominic and I met during a Penhaligon’s event that he was hosting. It was a collaboration with Cora Pearl Restaurant in Covent Garden. A ticketed event, we were first treated to canapés and cocktails before Dominic educated us on Penhaligon’s history and a number of their most iconic fragrances.

Before we continue I want to take a moment to highlight the amazing food and service at Cora Pearl.

Cora Pearl (Credit @corapearlcg)

 

Think British classics with a twist. Whether it a roast dinner or fish stew, everything is executed to perfection. They make, quite possibly, the best ham and cheese toasties that I have ever eaten. They are second to none!

Ham and Cheese Toastie (Credit @corapearlcg)

 

You simply must book a table.

Oh, and when you have time, try their older sister Kitty Fisher’s. It is a Mayfair institution.

Perfume Exploration

Once we were suitably fed and watered Dominic invited us to try the different fragrances positioned around the room.

Perfume Station

 

He then took the time to speak to each and every one of us. First came the explanation of the different fragrances and then the stories behind them. His passion was infectious and brought each fragrance to life.

After having smelt over a dozen fragrances, he picked up the last bottle, spritzed a tester and I fell head over heels. He had, in my opinion, saved the best for last. It was Halfeti.

The Origins of The Word Halfeti

Now for some background information. Halfeti is a small farming district on the east bank of the river Euphrates in the Şanlıurfa Province of Southwest Turkey. Near the border with Syria, this is where the British Levant Company traded in the opulent treasures of the Ottoman merchants: from exotic flowers, spices and soft leather to precious materials.

Map of Turkey

The Black Rose

Trading aside, one of the most unique features of this district is the much debated dark, mysterious and extremely rare black rose.

Halfeti Black Rose (Credit @steemit.com)

 

Halfeti’s black roses are dark red in the spring but turn a deep dark colour when summer arrives. It is at this point that the rose is thought to be black.

Halfeti Black Rose in Summer

 

Considered to be one of the wonders of the world, these roses are now almost extinct due to the submergence of old Halfeti. The fear of extinctions makes Penhaligon’s fragrance even more special, this fragrance will ensure that the black rose is never forgotten.

Why and How Are These Roses Black?

A good question, it is due to the environmental conditions in which they are grown. Halfeti has unique soil conditions, the pH levels of the groundwater which seeps in from the Euphrates nourishes the vegetation. The consequence, the rose is a deep crimson red colour which is thought to be solid black. Well, unless inspected very, very closely.

On first smell, this perfume shouted Istanbul to me. Then, once I learnt about the black rose and the luxurious history of the Halfeti district, the perfume became so much more to me.

Even to this day, I am amazed at the extent to which the perfumer (Christian Provenzano) and Penhaligon’s, have been able to weave the history, as well as the beauty and symbolism of the black rose, into this fragrance. It is no surprise that Christian is recognised as an authority on Oriental and Arabic fragrances.

In a Class of Its Own

Now it’s time for Penhaligon’s story. Initially from Cornwall, William Penhaligon (founder) moved to London in the 1860s to seek his fortune. Aptly, in 1874, he chose to open a perfume shop on Jermyn Street amongst the intoxicating scents of near-by Turkish barbers. It was the Turkish scents that influenced him as a perfumer.

Sorry, I have to digress for a moment. I really did not realise that Penhaligon’s story was so interlinked with the sights and smells of Turkey. I do not think that it is a coincidence that my first Penhaligon’s review is a fragrance that I believe to epitomise Turkey. I mean, I have countless Penhaligon’s fragrances but it is Halfeti which was the catalyst for this review and my favourite of all of Penhaligon’s scents.

William’s first fragrance was Hammam Bouquet Eau De Toilette and dates back to 1872. How have I not smelt this yet? I mean, with notes of Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, musk and sandalwood, I am confused as to why this is not a staple fragrance for me. I will rectify this immediately!

My Favourite Turkish Experience

As stated above, one of my favourite places in the world is Turkey and specifically Istanbul. I will review Istanbul separately but what I will say is that there is a Hamam in the centre of Istanbul that has changed both mine and my husband’s life. It is called Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami.

The picture below depicts the waiting area of the hamam, camera’s and photos are not permitted inside the hamam to maintain the privacy of guests.

I do not want to give anything away but what I will say is, we have been known to fly to Istanbul for a weekend just so that we can have this hamam experience.

Heaven (Credit kilicalipasahamami.com)

 

Istanbul has left an everlasting impression on us and I can only imagine that this is much like how William felt all those years ago when he first experienced the Turkish baths.

The Royal Warrant

Ok, so you might be asking what exactly does the Royal Warrant mean? Well companies can apply for a Royal Warrant after they have supplied the Households of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales with goods or services for at least five years out of seven years.

As stated on Penhaligon’s website, by the end of Queen Victoria’s reign, William Penhaligon had been appointed Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court. As a consequence, the business was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Alexandra in 1903.

Penhaligon’s proudly holds two long-standing Royal Warrants from HRH The Prince of Wales (granted in 1988) and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh (granted in 1956). In basic terms, Royal Warrants are the gold standard. Noteworthy, Penhaligon’s still make bespoke products for the Prince of Wales and Prince Philip.

With regards to other brands and products that hold the Royal Warrant, look out for the below marks on products and services.

Royal Warrants

 

Also, you can access the list of Royal Warrant holders by clicking here.

Originally English Owned, Now Global in Nature

All of Penhaligon’s fragrances are made in England but, as is often the case in perfumery, the ingredients are sourced globally. To this point, the only thing that is grown in England is Chamomile. Also, whilst the fragrances are made in London the bath and body products are manufactured in Spain.

The company, after having been sold throughout the years, is currently owned by Puig International SA a third-generation family-owned fashion and fragrance company based in Barcelona.

I am quite literally blown away by William’s story and the fact that the brand has managed to stay authentic to its core values despite various acquisitions.

The Packaging

Penhaligon’s have been especially clever here, even before you have smelt the perfume you have an understanding of how special and luxurious it is.

Halfeti Bottle and Box

 

The packaging, the scent and obviously, the name, in combination, creates a story. An intense, deep, rich, passionate, mysterious and sexy story.

The bottle echoes back to a time when everything had stoppers. When perfumes were sold in apothecary bottles and considered a luxury from an exotic world.

The wooden coloured box adds to the luxury and vintage feel of the perfume. It also ties in with the mystical nature of this ouddy, woody fragrance.

The Fragrance

It is warm, strong and reassuring all at once. It takes you to a special place. The intensity of this is scent, in my opinion, only matched by deep smouldering colour of the black rose itself.

This perfume has so many layers. First, it is fresh and vigorous. Thank you bergamot and the additional hints of green.

Then comes an intense floral garden filled with jasmine and spiced rose. If only the roses in my garden were so flagrant!

Then just as you think it is about to end, the journey still has some way to go. Next up is a familiar comforting scent, I can always rely on my long-trusted friend, vanilla. Then the deep and earthy scent of sandalwood followed by rich leather and a mélange of Oud, amber and patchouli.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

My love of florals has not been a long tale of intrigue and suspense. It has been short and intense. I fell deep and fast. I had no idea that I could find a floral scent that embodied all that I am and all that I aspire to be all at once.

I use to consider rose scents to be soft and gentle. This is not true of the floral in Halfeti. This fragrance has a strong personality whilst being seductive and mischievous. It is feminine, sexy and alluring. Unapproachable, yet incredibly, almost unbelievable, desirable.

If this fragrance were a female she would be strong willed. A leader. Someone happy to break the mould. She walks through life causing change and creating new roads for people to follow. She is not afraid of what others think. She wants to disrupt the norm. She trusts herself, her decisions and life choices. Woe betide anyone who gets in her way!

Sometimes we all have moments when we doubt ourselves and/or lack confidence. In those moments, cover yourself in Halfeti and allow it to give you all the inner strength you could ever need.

For completeness, this scent contains the following notes:

• Head notes:
  • artemisia, bergamot, cinnamon, cardamom, raspberry, lavender, grapefruit, green notes
• Heart notes:
  • caraway, cypress, jasmine, lily of the valley, nutmeg, rose, saffron, violet
• Base notes:
  • amber, cedar, leather, musk, agarwood, patchouli, resin, sandalwood, tonka, vanilla

Which Penhaligon’s Fragrance Are You?

Unsure of where to start, which fragrance you should try first? I suggest starting with Penhaligon’s online fragrance profiling questionnaire.

Once you have completed eight questions you will be provided with a selection of fragrances which are best suited to your fragrance personality. You are then able to select up to four testers which will be posted to you for a fee of £5.50. Alternatively, you can go in-store and request testers.

As a further treat, you can have your perfume bottles engraved in-store or when ordered on-line.

Penhaligon’s Event

Watch out for Penhaligon’s events on Eventbrite. Key to remember, this event was ticketed and we were then able to deduct the value of the ticket from any purchase made on the night from the Covent Garden store. This may not always be the case but it is worth checking.

Also, Penhaligon’s has a number of fragrance profiling events throughout February. These events are in collaboration with Moyses Flowers, another Royal Warrant holder. I will be attending, will you?