Penhaligon's. What's Going On?

[Ken]

I just received an email ad fromPenhaligon's advertising "Penhaligon's Cocktails." With respect to Blenheim Bouquet, the ad states that it has been "reimagined in vodka, zesty citrus with a splash of prosecco and a pop of peppercorn." It's difficult to know whether this is just a mental reimagining or whether they have changed the actual formula.

I went to their website and looked at the men's fragrances. While I found nothing about reimagining, I also failed to find Hammam Bouquet. Instead there was a fragrance called "Elixir," which "echoes Hammam Bouquet, created by William Penhaligon in 1872." Their notes state that Elixir was created in 2008. Does anybody know whether Hammam Bouquet has been discontinued? Douro is still there, but I wonder...

Ken

[Squire]

"Reimagined", what a delightful concept, when things go awry we just reimagine the situation.

[brothers]

There are experts who can create mixed drinks that smell/taste like the non-consumable Penhaligon's fragrance counterpart.

[Squire]

I was thinking more of the beautiful simplicity of reimaging something.

Honey, I'm pregnant, what do you think?

Well, lets just reimagine that concept.

[EL Alamein]

I just received an email ad fromPenhaligon's advertising "Penhaligon's Cocktails." With respect to Blenheim Bouquet, the ad states that it has been "reimagined in vodka, zesty citrus with a splash of prosecco and a pop of peppercorn." It's difficult to know whether this is just a mental reimagining or whether they have changed the actual formula.

I went to their website and looked at the men's fragrances. While I found nothing about reimagining, I also failed to find Hammam Bouquet. Instead there was a fragrance called "Elixir," which "echoes Hammam Bouquet, created by William Penhaligon in 1872." Their notes state that Elixir was created in 2008. Does anybody know whether Hammam Bouquet has been discontinued? Douro is still there, but I wonder...

Ken

Ken, I got the same email and having glanced over it had the same moment of reservation at first - have they messed with this stuff again?!

Upon closer inspection the email seems to be selling mixed drink preparations like Holland House here in the US. What's doubly confusing for us Americans is that when you click on the "Buy Now" icon in the email it takes you to the US Penhaligon's website for the BB aftershave. The notes for the aftershave seem to not match the description of the email completely. Those notes seem to be describing the traditional BB. Looking at all the links on the page one finds a blog posting on how to make a BB cocktail. This seems to be what is mentioned in the email. Clicking on it takes you directly to that posting with the recipe and some "How to" videos.

So in short it seems that the fragrance hasn't been diddled with but they have created a gimmick (in the making of similar smelling cocktails) to get you to buy some of the fragrance. I think panic can now be averted.

Chris

[EL Alamein]

I was thinking more of the beautiful simplicity of reimaging something.

Honey, I'm pregnant, what do you think?

Well, lets just reimagine that concept.

Squire, my response was "Merry Christmas!" The baby is due in August.

Chris

[Squire]

Congratulations to you both, my best wishes included.

[brothers]

Great news Chris. Congrats Dad.

[Ken]

Chris,

I figured that Penhaligon's wouldn't "reimagine" Blenheim Bouquet to include vodka. But my more serious concern is the apparent disappearance of Hammam Bouquet. That would be a real loss.

Ken

[Squire]

I quite agree.

[brothers]

I'll take your word for it. It's one of those that would cost over $100, just to find out what I've been missing. That is IF it is/was still in production and offered for sale. (I have seen some of it listed on ebay, but what if that's not the real thing.) Not worth it to me.

[bernards66]

Ken, Hammam is not there at all, in any form? That's sad as well as annoying. Afterall, Hammam Bouquet is THE Penhaligon's scent, the original and the only one that was available during that period after the shop in Old Bond Street closed ( the 1960s, early '70s more or less ). It was said that it was worn by every male British Monarch since Edward VII was Prince of Wales. Of course, Penhaligon's has been corporate owned for a long time now and those folks really don't care about that sort of thing ( although they happily use such material in their ad copy when it suits ). Still, it's hard to believe that they'd just totally ax it even if it wasn't a big seller. Oh, and their Douro is not the same BTW, I had a chance to finally check it out at Saks in Palm Beach last Thanksgiving. Somewhat similiar but definitely NOT the cologne that Lords was.
Regards,
Gordon

[drmoss_ca]

Just to add to the confusion, if you go to the Penhaligon website and choose the UK version, Hamman Bouquet is there, but not on the US version of the page. I'm afraid you are being discriminated against, gentlemen. You can, however, buy it direct from aedes.com in NYC.

Chris

[brothers]

This reminded me that Lucky Scent (California) is aggressive about recommending samples before buying the whole bottle. They seem to carry the entire Penhaligon's range, and now I have samples on the way. I got Essence of Lime; Hammam Bouquet; Blenheim Bouquet; and Sartorial. Already have a bottle of EF After Shave.

[Squire]

Thanks for the reference Chris, I'd forgotten the name of that place.

[blantyre]

I'm fond of BB - in fact it's the only frag I own as soap, cream and AS. I associate BB with a strong pine note - can't imagine that a "pinesol Martini" would be very good. Really, I can't think of any frags that I would want echoed in a drink, maybe selection verte would have some potential but even that seems like a stretch.

[Squire]

Yes, I like a separation between the thinks I use internally and externally.

[Thalay Sagar]

Regarding Hammam Bouquet's availability, I just received this e-mail in response to my query:

Hi Christopher,

Hammam Bouquet is still available but currently out of stock on Penhaligons website. However, you can check with these fine retailers who may still carry it.

[bernards66]

Chris, "...who may still carry it..." has a somewhat ominous air about it. Their website is "currently out of stock" but the question is, 'is it still being made'...will it ever be BACK in stock?
Regards,
Gordon

[Thalay Sagar]

Gordon, exactly. So after getting this wishy-washy answer from Penhaligon's USA, I e-mailed the head office and got a much more distressing response:

"Thank you for your email.

Hammam bouquet will be available towards the end of July. This fragrance is been re-developed.

Best regards

Corinne Fitzgerald
Customer service manager"

Setting aside the typos, RE-DEVELOPED?!!!! (Insert a long stream of obscenities of your choice). Well I guess it has been re-developed already.