Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
02/17/2020
MrHonest
110 Reviews
MrHonest
Berry relaxing, but berry light.
I count myself blessed to have found this one randomly in a gift set at a local discounter after Christmas. From what I understand, it's a limited edition that's incredibly difficult to find (especially at the price I paid), so all I can say is that someone up there likes me! Maybe. Anyway, it was a total blind buy; but after examining the notes, I scooped it up without a second thought.
Firstly, the bottle is impeccably gorgeous up close, and only available in the 50 mL. The actuator top is a twist-lock design similar to those found on the Bvlgari bottles, although I really think they should've made it spray towards the front and not the side. Sucks to get fingerprints on the beautiful metal plaque label. Call me finicky, I know.
The opening is an invigorating blast of sweet and slightly sour berries with a hint of bergamot. Almost immediately, I was reminded of something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but I'll get to that later. Surprisingly enough, the berry note is not the kind commonly used in cheap, synthetic fruity florals, but more of a natural one. The aroma evokes a combination of equal parts wet cherry, blueberry and raspberry, but becomes more cherry-like in the mid. In addition to the berries, there's also a touch of smooth, underlying mustiness that must be coming from the myrrh-oakmoss combo, since the old pungent 80s-style oakmoss is nowhere to be found. It's very much in the background though, and perhaps even imperceptible in the sillage.
As the perfume settles down, a sneaky little glaze of whiskey creeps in to cover the berries in a glossy coat. But make no mistake, it's still a very berry-heavy composition, albeit a rather humble and discreet one. In this case, the whiskey takes the place of what could've possibly have been a benzoin or dark amber accord; and as a result, sacrifices depth, longevity and projection. However, at the 20 minute mark, this stuff takes on such a pleasant aroma that it's genuinely difficult to be mad at it.
To me, Londinium is strongly reminiscent of a room temperature, sugar-free cherry pastry that's been unintentionally left behind by a colleague at their cubicle desk and taunts you with its delicious redolence. The overall blend in the mid also somehow reminds me of the relaxing facets of Gucci Pour Homme II (minus the tea of course) as well as the underlying quasi-fruitiness of V&R's Spicebomb or Lomani's Body and Soul. Still, none of them can aptly convey the simplicity of Londinium, or how the berry accord can take on such business-appropriate garb. Shame they only made it in a 50 mL.
Unfortunately, the fun is short-lived, as the base has very little to offer more than an uninspiring puff of clean man-musk. You'll know what I mean when you smell it - the empty, slightly fabric-y aroma of a wool sweater or worn couch. It's not a bad scent by any means, and there are no funky after-effects from the previous notes (hence the cleanliness), but it's a boring finish to a rather agreeable opening and mid.
Overall, I'm chuffed that I found the stuff, but wouldn't really recommend anyone dig deep to locate a bottle. Despite it being a wonderfully relaxing berry scent with a touch of myrrh and whiskey, there's no real depth, smokiness, booziness or anything else for that matter. Longevity is barely 4 hours and projection is only decent for the first hour, so you'd pretty much have to carry a decant. Still, it's a welcome addition for indoor wear in the warmer climates and might even garner a compliment or two during the opening act. But just because it has berries and booze, don't be like me and expect Mugler's Pure Malt. THAT would be Scotland. Scotlandinium?? Aye. Keep calm and carry on.
Firstly, the bottle is impeccably gorgeous up close, and only available in the 50 mL. The actuator top is a twist-lock design similar to those found on the Bvlgari bottles, although I really think they should've made it spray towards the front and not the side. Sucks to get fingerprints on the beautiful metal plaque label. Call me finicky, I know.
The opening is an invigorating blast of sweet and slightly sour berries with a hint of bergamot. Almost immediately, I was reminded of something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but I'll get to that later. Surprisingly enough, the berry note is not the kind commonly used in cheap, synthetic fruity florals, but more of a natural one. The aroma evokes a combination of equal parts wet cherry, blueberry and raspberry, but becomes more cherry-like in the mid. In addition to the berries, there's also a touch of smooth, underlying mustiness that must be coming from the myrrh-oakmoss combo, since the old pungent 80s-style oakmoss is nowhere to be found. It's very much in the background though, and perhaps even imperceptible in the sillage.
As the perfume settles down, a sneaky little glaze of whiskey creeps in to cover the berries in a glossy coat. But make no mistake, it's still a very berry-heavy composition, albeit a rather humble and discreet one. In this case, the whiskey takes the place of what could've possibly have been a benzoin or dark amber accord; and as a result, sacrifices depth, longevity and projection. However, at the 20 minute mark, this stuff takes on such a pleasant aroma that it's genuinely difficult to be mad at it.
To me, Londinium is strongly reminiscent of a room temperature, sugar-free cherry pastry that's been unintentionally left behind by a colleague at their cubicle desk and taunts you with its delicious redolence. The overall blend in the mid also somehow reminds me of the relaxing facets of Gucci Pour Homme II (minus the tea of course) as well as the underlying quasi-fruitiness of V&R's Spicebomb or Lomani's Body and Soul. Still, none of them can aptly convey the simplicity of Londinium, or how the berry accord can take on such business-appropriate garb. Shame they only made it in a 50 mL.
Unfortunately, the fun is short-lived, as the base has very little to offer more than an uninspiring puff of clean man-musk. You'll know what I mean when you smell it - the empty, slightly fabric-y aroma of a wool sweater or worn couch. It's not a bad scent by any means, and there are no funky after-effects from the previous notes (hence the cleanliness), but it's a boring finish to a rather agreeable opening and mid.
Overall, I'm chuffed that I found the stuff, but wouldn't really recommend anyone dig deep to locate a bottle. Despite it being a wonderfully relaxing berry scent with a touch of myrrh and whiskey, there's no real depth, smokiness, booziness or anything else for that matter. Longevity is barely 4 hours and projection is only decent for the first hour, so you'd pretty much have to carry a decant. Still, it's a welcome addition for indoor wear in the warmer climates and might even garner a compliment or two during the opening act. But just because it has berries and booze, don't be like me and expect Mugler's Pure Malt. THAT would be Scotland. Scotlandinium?? Aye. Keep calm and carry on.
