# Penhaligon's perfumes: which one to try first Ten Penhaligon's perfumes for men, women and both, grouped by character and season, so you know which 3ml decant to order first. By [Victoria Frolova](https://10ml.com/authors/victoria-frolova) · 25 October 2026 · 10 min read If you are new to Penhaligon's perfumes, try [Halfeti](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti) first when you are choosing for a man, and [Empressa](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-empressa) first when you are choosing for a woman. Halfeti is a spiced, oud-and-leather scent that voters place in winter and fall, at night and in the evening. Empressa is a fruity citrus-and-rose scent they place in spring and fall, by day. Each of the ten is available from 10ML as a 3ml or a 10ml decant, filled by 10ML from the original bottle. ## Choosing by wearer and mood The catalogue holds twelve perfumes from [Penhaligon's](https://10ml.com/brands/penhaligon-s), and this guide covers ten of them: four listed for men, four listed for women and two listed as unisex. The most common question is which one suits a man, so the men's group comes first, then the women's, then the two unisex scents. Each group is sorted by character, because the names alone say little about what is inside the bottle. If you cannot smell before you order, read [how to choose perfume without smelling it](https://10ml.com/guides/how-to-choose-perfume-without-smelling-it) first. Here is the short version, by wearer and mood: - For men, warm and spiced: Halfeti, The Blazing Mr Sam and The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense. - For men, green and salty, with an office-hours vote: Fortuitous Finley. - For women, fruity citrus and rose for the day: Empressa. - For women, caramel, vanilla and rose for cold evenings: Changing Constance, Changing Constance Intense and The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense. - Unisex, powdery and floral, or citrus and peppery: The Favourite and Luna. If a note name is unfamiliar, the note pages explain it: [tobacco](https://10ml.com/notes/tobacco), [leather](https://10ml.com/notes/leather) and [cardamom](https://10ml.com/notes/cardamom). ## Ten Penhaligon's perfumes, in the order to try them Take the first for a man or the fifth for a woman, then one from another group. | # | Perfume | Main notes | 3 ml | 10 ml | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Penhaligon's Halfeti](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti) | Saffron, Cardamom and Bergamot over Bulgarian Rose and Nutmeg, on Agarwood (Oud), Leather and Amber: spiced, with oud and leather. | €12.96 (€4.32/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 2 | [Penhaligon's The Blazing Mr Sam](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mr-sam) | Cardamom and Cinnamon over Black Pepper and Saffron, on Tobacco, Vanilla and Patchouli: a spiced, sweet tobacco. | €12.96 (€4.32/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 3 | [Penhaligon's Fortuitous Finley](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-fortuitous-finley) | Black Pepper and Cardamom over Matcha, Pistachio and Salt, on Leather and Violet Leaf: a green, salty leather. | €9.81 (€3.27/ml) | €28.17 (€2.82/ml) | | 4 | [Penhaligon's Empressa](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-empressa) | Blood Orange, Peach and Bergamot over Rose and Cassis, on Patchouli, Vanilla and Cacao: a fruity, rosy scent for the day. | €12.96 (€4.32/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 5 | [Penhaligon's Changing Constance](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance) | Cardamom and Pimento over Salt and Caramel, on Vanilla, Cashmeran and Tobacco: salted caramel with a tobacco base. | €12.96 (€4.32/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 6 | [Penhaligon's Changing Constance Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance-intense) | Pimento, Cardamom and Saffron over Caramel, on Vanilla, Tobacco and Cashmeran: a spiced, vanilla caramel. | €12.42 (€4.14/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 7 | [Penhaligon's The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-coveted-duchess-rose-intense) | Mandarin over Rose, on Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood and Musk: a rose with a warm base. | €12.42 (€4.14/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | | 8 | [Penhaligon's The Favourite](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-favourite) | Freesia, Mandarin Orange and Violet over Iris and Mimosa, on Ambroxan, Musk and Vanilla: a powdery violet floral. | €11.61 (€3.87/ml) | €35.28 (€3.53/ml) | | 9 | [Penhaligon's Luna](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-luna) | Candied Ginger, Bergamot and Black Pepper, on Amber and Haitian Vetiver: a peppery citrus. | €12.24 (€4.08/ml) | €37.26 (€3.73/ml) | ## Penhaligon's for men: warm and spiced Three men's scents voted for winter and fall, for night and evening wear. Tobacco turns up in two of them. ### Halfeti [Halfeti](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti) launched in 2015 and is listed for men. Cypress Leaf, Saffron, Cardamom, Artemisia, Bergamot and Grapefruit open it; the heart is Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose and Nutmeg; the base is Agarwood (Oud), Cedar, Leather, Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Musk. Its accords include woody, warm spicy and aromatic, as well as leather, oud, amber and vanilla. It reads as saffron and cardamom over rose, settling into oud and leather. Winter and fall are the seasons voters pick for it, for night and evening wear. On longevity the votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate"). Halfeti's sillage votes lean "moderate" (then "strong"). Its listed occasion is going out, and it suits a man who wants a spiced scent for cold evenings. ### The Blazing Mr Sam [The Blazing Mr Sam](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mr-sam) launched in 2018 and is listed for men. Cardamom and Cinnamon sit on top, Black Pepper, Saffron and Cumin in the heart, and Tobacco, Vanilla, Cedar and Patchouli underneath. Its accords are led by warm spicy and tobacco, with woody, fresh spicy, vanilla, cinnamon, sweet, aromatic and patchouli behind them. It is a cinnamon-and-cardamom opening over a peppery heart, on a sweet tobacco base. Voters pick it for winter and fall, at night or in the evening. Longevity votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate"). Most community voters rate its sillage "moderate". Its listed occasion is work, so it suits a man who wants tobacco and warm spice for a working day. ### The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense [The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mister-sam-eau-de-parfum-intense) is a 2026 launch, listed for men. It has the shortest note list of the ten: Plum on top, Tobacco in the heart, and Leather and Patchouli in the base. It is the only one of the ten with Tobacco in the heart, and the only one that lists smoky among its accords, alongside tobacco, leather, sweet, fruity, patchouli, woody and warm spicy. Plum and tobacco make it sweet and smoky. Voters pick it for winter and fall, in the evening and at night. Its longevity votes lean "long lasting" (then "eternal"). The sillage votes for it lean "strong" (then "enormous"). That suits a man who likes tobacco and leather and wants a scent that carries. For the note itself, see the [tobacco perfumes](https://10ml.com/guides/tobacco-perfumes) guide. ## Penhaligon's for men: green, salty leather ### Fortuitous Finley [Fortuitous Finley](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-fortuitous-finley) launched in 2025 as an eau de parfum, listed for men. The top includes Black Pepper and Cardamom. Matcha, Pistachio and Salt sit in the heart, above a base of Leather, Patchouli and Violet Leaf. Its accords include warm spicy, green, woody, salty, ozonic, powdery, leather, aromatic and aquatic. It is the only one of the ten with Matcha or Pistachio in the notes. The result is a green, salty leather rather than a sweet one. Sillage votes lean "strong" (then "moderate"). Longevity gets a clearer verdict, with most community voters calling it "long lasting". The seasons they pick are fall, winter and spring, and the times are evening, night, office and day. It is the only men's scent here with a spring vote, and it suits a man who wants a green, salty leather with an office vote. If leather is the draw, [leather perfumes](https://10ml.com/guides/leather-perfumes) covers the note across houses. ## Penhaligon's for women: fruity citrus and rose ### Empressa [Empressa](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-empressa) launched in 2014 and is listed for women. Blood Orange, Peach, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Pink Pepper open it; the heart is Geranium, Rose, Dewberry, Cassis and Neroli; the base is Patchouli, Brown sugar, Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Olibanum, Cacao and Amber. It has the longest note list of the ten. Its accords include citrus, fruity and woody, as well as patchouli, sweet and rose. It opens as bright orange and peach, then moves to rose and a sugared base. Most community voters rate its longevity "moderate". Most community voters also rate its sillage "moderate". The seasons they pick are spring and fall, and the time is day. Its listed occasion is work, so it suits a woman who wants a fruity, rosy daytime scent as a first Penhaligon's. ## Penhaligon's for women: caramel, vanilla and rose for cold evenings Three women's scents, all voted for evening wear, two of them with tobacco in the base. ### Changing Constance [Changing Constance](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance) launched in 2018 and is listed for women. Cardamom and Pimento open it, Salt and Caramel sit in the heart, and Vanilla, Cashmeran and Tobacco close it. Its accords are led by caramel, vanilla, sweet and warm spicy, with powdery, salty, tobacco, aromatic, woody and musky behind. It is salted caramel over a vanilla and tobacco base. The only season voters pick for it is winter, and the time is the evening. Longevity votes lean "moderate" (then "weak"). Sillage votes lean "moderate" (then "intimate"). Its listed occasion is work, and it suits a woman who likes a sweet scent for a winter evening. ### Changing Constance Intense [Changing Constance Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance-intense) is a 2026 launch, listed for women. Pimento, Cardamom and Saffron open it, Caramel is the heart, and Vanilla, Tobacco and Cashmeran make the base. Its accords are salted caramel, warm spicy, gourmand, vanilla and sweet. Compared with Changing Constance, it adds Saffron on top and drops Salt from the heart. Sillage votes lean "strong" (then "moderate"). Longevity votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate"). Voters pick winter and fall, for the evening and night. It suits a woman who likes the caramel and vanilla idea and wants it to carry further. ### The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense [The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-coveted-duchess-rose-intense) launched in 2026 and is listed for women. Mandarin is on top, Rose in the heart, and Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood and Musk in the base. Its accords are rose, floral, amber, vanilla and warm spicy. It is a rose with a warm, vanilla-and-amber base, with a single note on top and in the heart. Fall and winter are the seasons voters pick, with the evening, night and day all getting votes. On longevity the votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate"). On sillage the votes lean "strong" (then "moderate"). It suits a woman who wants a rose for cold weather that still gets a daytime vote. ## Penhaligon's unisex: a powdery floral and a peppery citrus Two scents listed as unisex, both voted for fall and winter, by day as well as in the evening and at night. Neither has a launch year in the catalogue data. ### The Favourite [The Favourite](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-favourite) is listed as unisex. Freesia, Mandarin Orange and Violet open it, Iris, Jasmine Sambac and Mimosa form the heart, and Ambroxan, Musk, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Tonka Bean and Vanilla sit underneath. Its accords are powdery, violet, floral, musky, yellow floral, iris and woody. It is a violet-and-iris floral on a musky base. Voters pick it for fall and winter, and for night, evening and day alike. On longevity, The Favourite's votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate"). On sillage, its votes lean "strong" (then "moderate"). It suits anyone who likes powdery florals. [Unisex perfumes worth sharing](https://10ml.com/guides/unisex-perfumes-worth-sharing) has more. ### Luna [Luna](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-luna) is listed as unisex. Candied Ginger, Bergamot, Black Pepper and Pink Pepper open it, and the base is Amber, Haitian Vetiver and Powdery Notes; the data lists no heart notes. Its accords are citrus, aromatic, fresh spicy, rose, woody, fresh, floral and musky. It is a ginger-and-pepper citrus on a vetiver and amber base. The seasons voters pick are fall and winter, and the times are night, evening and day. Votes lean "long lasting" (then "moderate") on longevity. Community votes on its sillage lean "strong" (then "moderate"). It suits anyone who wants a peppery citrus with ginger. ## Which Penhaligon's perfume should you try first? Pick by who is wearing it and when: 1. **Start with \[Halfeti\](/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti)** for a spiced scent with oud and leather, voted for winter and fall nights. 2. **Choose \[The Blazing Mr Sam\](/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mr-sam)** for cinnamon, pepper and a sweet tobacco base. 3. **Choose \[The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense\](/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mister-sam-eau-de-parfum-intense)** for plum, tobacco and leather in the shortest note list here. 4. **Choose \[Fortuitous Finley\](/perfumes/penhaligons-fortuitous-finley)** for green, salty leather with a vote for the office. 5. **Choose \[Empressa\](/perfumes/penhaligons-empressa)** for a fruity, rosy scent for spring and fall days. 6. **Choose \[Changing Constance\](/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance)** for salted caramel and tobacco on winter evenings. 7. **Choose \[Changing Constance Intense\](/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance-intense)** for the same idea, with saffron, voted to carry further. 8. **Choose \[The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense\](/perfumes/penhaligons-the-coveted-duchess-rose-intense)** for rose over vanilla and amber in cold weather. 9. **Choose \[The Favourite\](/perfumes/penhaligons-the-favourite)** for a powdery violet and iris floral. 10. **Choose \[Luna\](/perfumes/penhaligons-luna)** for peppery citrus with ginger and vetiver. **The ten Penhaligon's perfumes compared** | Perfume | Launched | Listed for | Main accords | Community picks | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Halfeti](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti) | 2015 | Men | Woody, warm spicy, aromatic | Community: winter and fall, night and evening | | [The Blazing Mr Sam](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mr-sam) | 2018 | Men | Warm spicy, tobacco, woody | Community: winter and fall, night and evening | | [The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-blazing-mister-sam-eau-de-parfum-intense) | 2026 | Men | Tobacco, leather, sweet | Community: winter and fall, evening and night | | [Fortuitous Finley](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-fortuitous-finley) | 2025 | Men | Warm spicy, green, woody | Community: fall, winter and spring, evening, night, office and day | | [Empressa](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-empressa) | 2014 | Women | Citrus, fruity, woody | Community: spring and fall, day | | [Changing Constance](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance) | 2018 | Women | Caramel, vanilla, sweet | Community: winter, evening | | [Changing Constance Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-changing-constance-intense) | 2026 | Women | Salted caramel, warm spicy, gourmand | Community: winter and fall, evening and night | | [The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-coveted-duchess-rose-intense) | 2026 | Women | Rose, floral, amber | Community: fall and winter, evening, night and day | | [The Favourite](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-the-favourite) | Not listed | Unisex | Powdery, violet, floral | Community: fall and winter, night, evening and day | | [Luna](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-luna) | Not listed | Unisex | Citrus, aromatic, fresh spicy | Community: fall and winter, night, evening and day | ## Trying Penhaligon's before committing to a bottle Several of these names are close, so start small. [Halfeti](https://10ml.com/perfumes/penhaligons-halfeti) in 3ml is €12.96 and gives around 60 sprays, enough for several days of wear. Once you know you like it, the 10ml decant is €37.26 and holds around 200 sprays. Both sizes are sold for all ten. For your first order, take one scent from the group that matches the wearer and one from another group, for example Halfeti with Fortuitous Finley, so you learn whether you prefer oud and spice or green leather. Wear them on separate days on clean skin. For a wider range across houses, see the [best perfume for men](https://10ml.com/guides/best-perfumes-for-men) guide. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which Penhaligon's perfume should I try first? Try Halfeti first if you are choosing for a man, and Empressa if you are choosing for a woman. Halfeti opens on Saffron, Cardamom and Bergamot over Agarwood (Oud) and Leather, and community voters most often pick it for winter and fall, and for night and evening wear. Empressa is a fruity citrus-and-rose scent voted for spring and fall, by day. You can try Halfeti as a 3ml decant for €12.96. ### What is the best Penhaligon's perfume for men? Halfeti is the one to try first, a spiced scent with oud and leather that voters place in winter and fall, at night and in the evening. The Blazing Mr Sam is a spiced tobacco, with Cinnamon and Cardamom over Vanilla. The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense has Plum, Tobacco and Leather, and Fortuitous Finley is a green, salty leather that also has a vote for the office. ### What is the best Penhaligon's perfume for women? Empressa is the one to try first, a fruity citrus and rose scent with Blood Orange and Peach that voters place in spring and fall, by day. For cold evenings, Changing Constance and Changing Constance Intense pair Caramel with Vanilla and Tobacco, and The Coveted Duchess Rose Intense is a rose with Vanilla and Amber. The two unisex scents, The Favourite and Luna, are also an option. ### What does Penhaligon's Halfeti smell like? Halfeti smells of saffron and cardamom over rose, settling into oud and leather. It opens with Cypress Leaf, Saffron, Cardamom, Artemisia, Bergamot and Grapefruit, has Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose and Nutmeg in the heart, and Agarwood (Oud), Cedar, Leather, Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Musk in the base. It launched in 2015 and is listed for men. ### What is the difference between The Blazing Mr Sam and The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense? The Blazing Mr Sam is a spiced tobacco, and The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense is a smoky one with plum. The Blazing Mr Sam opens on Cardamom and Cinnamon over Black Pepper, Saffron and Cumin, with Tobacco in the base. The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense lists Plum on top, Tobacco in the heart, and Leather and Patchouli in the base. Voters place both in winter and fall, at night and in the evening. Sillage votes lean "strong" for The Blazing Mister Sam Eau de Parfum Intense. Most voters rate the sillage of The Blazing Mr Sam "moderate". ### Can I try a Penhaligon's perfume before buying a full bottle? Yes. All ten are filled from the original bottle into a 3ml or a 10ml decant, with around 60 sprays in the 3ml and around 200 in the 10ml. Halfeti costs €12.96 for the 3ml and €37.26 for the 10ml, and the other nine list their live prices on their product pages.