When you first hear about a perfume house that was founded 217 years, it doesn’t really seem like the place to find your summer scent. But I have to say, I’ve only recently been introduced to Atkinsons 1799, and to say I’ve fallen in love is something of an understatement.
Their new Scilly Neroli eau de parfum was the first scent I was introduced to, and I’ve hardly worn anything else since it arrived. Packaged in a rather luxurious cardboard drawer, the whole box feels more like something to hold fine jewellery rather than perfume.
Inside is an absolute jewel of a bottle – the bottles are a hefty 100ml, complete with shining label and etched cap. The whole thing just feels wonderfully glamorous and grown up, and I feel like the packaging really adds a little magic to the scent.
As if the packaging wasn’t jaw-dropping enough, the scent is incredible too! Scilly Neroli is part of the brand’s Contemporary Collection, which includes seven different perfumes which have been designed to be modern takes on ingredients which are emblematic of Atkinsons 1799. I think it’s such a fun idea, as I just love the idea of an updated classic (also, I’m something of a history nerd, so the idea of wearing a perfume similar to something someone had during the Napoleonic Wars kind of gives me a kick).
The perfume itself just feels like summertime in a bottle. It’s described by the brand as ‘sea drenched’ and ‘sunlit’, and I have to say, I absolutely agree! When you first apply Scilly Neroli, there are serious citrus notes, coupled with petitgrain and a touch of salt. It’s such fresh, clean scent which straddles the lines of unisex. Honestly, this would smell as incredible on a guy as it does on me.
Then, as the parfum warms on the skin, it almost deepens into a more cologne-esque scent. The Neroli essence and orange blossom give a slight orange slant, which feels so clean and soapy – it feels so fresh to wear, and I just love the slightly fruity edge of the orange. It smells delicious, and it’s such a gorgeous, wearable scent, that it’s really tempted me into trying out more from the brand.
Atkinsons 1799 Scilly Neroli is priced at £120.00 and is available (I think exclusively) here.
