Empressa

Empressa by Penhaligon's is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 2016 in the niche price tier. It opens with blood orange, bergamot and mandarin, moves into peach, blackcurrant, rose, neroli, geranium and pink pepper and dries down to vanilla, cocoa, frankincense, musk, patchouli and sandalwood. Expect around 8 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.

Notes, explained

Opening

Blood Orange Orange with a red-fruit edge. Richer and slightly jammy.
Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.

Heart

Peach Fuzzy, warm and slightly creamy. Soft rather than sharp.
Blackcurrant Tart, dark and slightly catty. Adds bite to florals.
Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
Neroli Distilled orange blossom. Green, soapy and elegant.
Geranium Rosy and minty at once. Reads masculine more often than not.
Pink Pepper Fizzy, rosy and bright. Adds sparkle without heat.

Dry-down

Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
Cocoa Dry, dusty chocolate. Bitter rather than sweet.
Frankincense Bright, peppery, church-like resin. Lifts and cools a fragrance.
Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.

Smells like this

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