The Tragedy of Lord George By Penhaligon's

The Tragedy of Lord George By Penhaligon's
A fragrance that will put your nose and fragrance game to the test, Penhaligon's The Tragedy Of Lord George!
In This Video
00:00 Put your nose to the test!
01:02 Portraits Collection
01:20 Presentation
03:00 Classification
03:50 Notes
05:38 Performance

So, 'The Tragedy Of Lord George? The tragedy is...that either you understand this fragrance...or you don't. If you don't, then this is the fragrance with which to train your nose, open your eyes and sharpen your wits.

Launched by Penhaligon's in 2016, The Tragedy of Lord George is one of the founder fragrances in Penhaligon's Portraits Collection. Each fragrance in the collection centres around a member of a fictional aristocratic family. Each character's individuality is taken to the limit in a celebration of 19th century English eccentricity. There is sharp and ready humour in the collection concept which runs through the fragrances, their marketing and packaging.

On to the fragrance itself! Created by Alberto Morillas this is a fragrance that not only sticks closely to the concept of the collection, it also tugs the forelock to the history and origins of the Penhaligon's brand while simultaneously tweaking the nose and flicking the forehead of a particular kind of fragrance buff.

The Tragedy of Lord George is correctly classed as a fougére. A barber's fougére, to be exact. Penhaligon's is a brand originating in 19th century London when William Penhaligon started his barbershop in Jermyn Street, St James, Westminster. So it should come as no surprise that Penhaligon's can expertly blend a barbershop fougére. Therefore it should also come as no surprise that the notes of the Tragedy of Lord George are more linear than they are pyramidal. They're supposed to be! If you think that this is a linear fragrance, well done...that's exactly what you were supposed to think! There is a note pyramid in this fragrance BUT...the fragrance moves through that pyramid very quickly and so shall we!

In the top is a swirling, boozy brandy note. Neroli acts a glistening highlight which ushers in but is also part of the shaving soap heart. It's a Fougére so we have fresh Lavender, Violets and a touch of powder from Orris. But we also have a hint of green from Tobacco Leaf.

The base swoops in and provides spice, some smoke and edible vanilla sweetness shot through with vivid green by a dab of Cinnamon here, and a swoosh of coumarin there. Tonka Bean adds a very subtle sweetness, gives quality to the tobacco note and cheekiness to the cinnamon. Finally Cedar and Amber warm, shores and supports the fragrance by providing wings and a platform upon and from which the other notes can perform.

From the very first sniff, Lord George is quality! He is masculine, confident, assured, elegant, yet urbane and witty, He is the very backbone of the aristocracy. But...he has his peccadilloes!
He's Jeeves & Wooster rolled into one. He's Lord Melchett and Edmund Blackadder but at any moment Lord Flasheart could burst into the room...WOOF!

There are a number of reviews of the Tragedy of Lord George that incorrectly state that this is a fragrance for the 'older man'. It's certainly a fragrance that sorts out the men from the boys! It is a masculine fragrance, It's a fragrance to wear when you are suited and booted, a fragrance that you will need a certain amount of confidence to pull off. It's a classic, gentleman's, fragrance. And like any classic, such as a classic car or in my case a classic wooden boat, there may be the odd performance issue.

For example, I'm going to re-jig the usual performance review order, on my skin the projection is average to good...about 5 to five and a half feet imperial or 1.5 to 1.7 metres continental. People will have to want to approach you or you will need the confidence to approach them. The sillage, again on my skin, is average to good. But...with the Tragedy of Lord George, people unconsciously gravitate towards the fragrance. Longevity is not great. You will need to reapply the fragrance but a wash, change of shirt and reapplication of fragrance is something any gentleman would be doing anyway. Compliments abound with this fragrance. But then, if you are wearing The Tragedy of Lord George you're already dressed to impress and have the confidence to receive compliments!

Just like a classic car or classic boat, I already know this fragrance will have some maintenance issues, I already know there might be an odd performance issue. And I know it's going to be damned expensive. Having said that, It's a classic. I know that the quality is exquisite. Everyone around me will know that the quality is exquisite and that I AM...going to enjoy the ride.WOOF!