Opus 1870 Penhaligon's 2005

It's all about pepper, cedar and a little incense. And it's very good combo.

Smells classic and elegant along with others Penhaligon's releases.

Lasting power, sillage and projection are medium. Thumbs up.

Updated January 2014

That's why it's good to go back on a scent after a while to have tried it, what is not often interesting to you can become with details that escaped from first. The first time I tested the Opus 1870 i did not see much grace in it but today i appreciated its discreet and sophisticated aroma. Somehow, he is the male version of oriental scent that Penhaligons launched in 2003, called Malabah, and it went past me this connection when I felt a few years ago. The structure of incense, amber, woods and rose in malabah repeats here, but it's calibrated to soften the floral rose, amplifying the spices and bring a fresh edge to them. Although it dosen't have ginger or pomegranate, I feel an illusion of those two notes constantly on the skin and I find it very interesting. The illusion of pomegranate I suspect it is, somehow, a result of the combination of rose with cinnamon, but the ginger I do not have a clue I just notice a touch of fresh cut ginger very discreet along with the aroma of pepper and something citrus at the opening. This phase is followed by what strikes me as the sweet scent of pomegranate, which must be the rose and cinnamon, and evolves into a slightly dry and velvety incensed woody base. I found it a great scent, something with a mainstream appeal and a slightly more exclusive care.

I love cedar scents, but not really Opus. The primary reason is the cedar is somewhat muted and mild here (even though it is the most dominant note by far throughout the scent's development) possibly tamed by some rose and maybe a hint of pepper. I guess I just am not getting a lot of personality from Opus 1870. Not a bad scent, but not distinctive either. 2.5 to 3 stars out of 5.

I became really obsessed with this scent.

It’s really really classic, elegant, smart… and fortunately it doesn’t smell fougere to me. It’s just a classy classic men smell.

I would definitely classify it into the 35+ male category, and i can barely detect any listed note. Maybe i would describe it as a fresh spicy scent?

As usual within this “world”, i disagree with the performance “rhates”, as i can easily smell it after a lot of hours, and people around me too. If you’re used to spray 8-10 sprays of strong extracts, and maybe use 3-4 perfumes a day, that might be the reason why you are not happy with its performance.

Lovely for every time of the year altough i would say spring and autumn might be its best time, any occasion any dress.
Slight similarity with Mechant Loup and a very little “Gucci” vibe, but not a copy at all of any of them. They just share some small similar parts.

Thanks for reading :-)

Though Opus 1870 is not for me personally, I appreciate that it is a bright, soapy, faintly spiced barbershop affair that reads as elegant and clean even when heavily applied. With its powdery cedar, incense, and almost fruity coriander, it smells less like a perfume and more like a pleasant white noise in the background of one's day. It reminds me a little of the soapy bouquet of woods, florals, and spice of Hamman Bouquet, and more than a little of the metallic-milky lavender tea of my favorite Penhalgon's masculine, Lothair.

Now, actually, having mentioned Lothair, let me specify the reason for this comparison - though Lothair also had this sharp, freshly steamed white shirt thing going on, there was also this spiced, milky chai latte accord humming in the backdrop that rendered it less of an outright barbershop fougere and more of a modern, sweeter, or softer version that women might envisage themselves wearing. Opus 1870 does something similar. The black pepper, the metallic steam, the aromatic herbs, the musty cedar etc. of Opus 1870 are all taken several steps away from the braying mob of floor traders in the mosh pit of the NYSE by way of that powdered, cinnamony tea, incense, and soft rosy sandalwood.