It was the running rumor for weeks (if not months) prior to the launch of
Old Fashioned that the fragrance was a re-release of the well-regarded but now discontinued
Single Malt London. While I am here to stamp those rumors as being true, I am also here to stamp that the re-release is unable to match the highs of the past.
The funny part about when you first put on
Single Malt London is that the scent doesn't instantly waft and the same thing happens here with
Old Fashioned, but once the scent hits your nose, it is undebatable that the scent tries to reimagine
Single Malt London. The entire structure is the same with the fruitiness contrasting the sweet-spiciness, but what is missing is the sensational plum compote opening of
Single Malt London as the fruitiness is not as present in the top with
Old Fashioned.
The base and the evolution also differ substantially. The original
Single Malt London is built upon medicinal ambers with mild woody nuances. Contrast that to
Old Fashioned which is mainly built on a dry woody and boozy smell. The aforementioned ambers never appear with
Old Fashioned and as such, the overlap in structure is prominent, but not identical. The structures of both feature warm spiciness as a leading accord, but
Single Malt London has more fruitiness both in the open and throughout the wearing cycle as well as featuring a significantly different base structure (re: the lack of medicinal ambers with
Old Fashioned).
That leaves me at an interesting crossroads as somebody who blindbought this. I would much rather own
Single Malt London, but finding product is very challenging. On performance, Single Malt has plenty of criticisms, but Old Fashined does not address those - I would even rate longevity and sillage 1 point weaker. To me,
Old Fashioned scratches an itch for those who never smelled the original
Single Malt London or who don't want to pay the prevailing market prices for it. However, for anybody seeking the superior product, this is unfortunately not that.