Hartnell

Final Thoughts

This fragrance is most suitable for cooler weather, specifically autumn evenings. Its intensely sweet profile limits its versatility; perhaps wearable for casual events, but unsuitable for formal occasions or professional settings where subtlety is valued.

The Scent Profile

Hartnell opens with a bracing clary sage accord, quickly overtaken by a synthetic lavender that lacks the natural earthiness found in high-quality extractions. The bergamot, unfortunately, presents as a generic citrus cleaner note, failing to provide the necessary brightness. As the composition transitions, the saffron attempts to inject a touch of warmth, but the praline is overbearing, creating a cloying sweetness akin to artificially flavored maple syrup. The base offers a somewhat muted oud, reminiscent of polished wood rather than the animalic depth of genuine agarwood. Cedar provides a dry, pencil-shaving counterpoint, but does little to salvage the saccharine quality. The fragrance deviates substantially from its inspiration, particularly in the synthetic sharpness of the opening and the overwhelming sweetness in the mid-section.

Performance Reality Check

Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 6 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, reaching about an arm's length for the first hour, then receding to a skin scent. Tested in both an office environment and outdoor setting; performed marginally better in cooler temperatures, where the sweetness was slightly subdued.