Good morning, ladies and gents! I hope everyone is having a fantastic start to your day. I am doing well. This colder weather is really motivating me to review more fragrances. Even though this one is a warmer weather fragrance.
A legendary fragrance in its own right, Floris No 89 came out in 1951 and became wildly popular after being included in Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. It was probably pretty popular before then as well. Rumor has it that Prince Harry also wears this. As the case is with most celebrity claims, it is not confirmed.
I am pretty excited to have this in my collection. I didn't purchase this one. A friend of mine sent it to me because he knows I am a big James Bond fan. This person has no affiliation with Floris or any fragrance houses. He is simply an enthusiast.
The Story
Those cold and crisp spring mornings always do something to me. I can't explain exactly what it is. The feeling of cold air in your lungs and seeing your breath in the air. It's uncomfortable at times, but it also harkens you back to your childhood when you would try to blow smoke rings with your breath. I was never able to accomplish this. If you were, then you probably superhuman.
In the current era, you get up and put on your nice wool sweater for an early morning stroll. The mentholated chill of the air clings to your face like the sting from an aftershave. You can still smell the soap from your shower and gives random wafts from the treeline off in the distance. As the sun peeks out, a warm freshness invigorates you while the birds sing their songs of another day of life. The simple things in life are always appreciated if you take the time to do so.
The Scent
Floris No 89 opens with a sharp bergamot tang and bright oranges. Powdery lavender and rose work together to make this quintessentially English. The powdery notes are lifted by the citruses and give it a freshness that is common to scents of this era.
When the heart starts to emerge, a cool and minty geranium pops up. What sets o 89 apart is that this geranium has a mentholated edge to it. This gives the fragrance the feel of an aftershave and a cool suaveness. These notes are supported by a green oakmoss and soft sandalwood. There is a slight spicy vibe in it. My guess would be that they used two types of geranium, both the minty and floral spicy sorts. I think I read that it has nutmeg in it as well, so that could be the spiciness, but I can't directly point it out as nutmeg. There is also an ever so slight creaminess, which I imagine is from the sandalwood, but I can't say for sure.
This fragrance comes off as a fresh and vibrant powdery barbershop with a minty pop and a spicy woody base. It does favor the warm weather more than the cooler months.
My Opinion
Floris No 89 checks all of the boxes for me. It's beautifully composed. It's unique, but familiar. The price point is very good. I guess there is a reason that Floris is one of the oldest houses in the UK.
Is it a masterpiece? No, it's not. It is a very beautiful fragrance that I am happy to have in my collection. This is one of my favorite warmer weather barbershop style fragrances. I said it before and I will say it again, this is a quintessential British gentleman's fragrance.
Even though I enjoy this one quite a bit, sample it. This fragrance is not for everyone. Some people might view this as dated or old. I never thought that gentlemen were out of style. What do I know though? I need an alien decoder to understand half of what these younger folks say on Facebook these days.
I don't usually speak on performance, but this one lasts quite a while, but the projection isn't strong. As with most "gentlemanly" fragrances, this one is rather soft and it makes it even more beautiful.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my review today. Have an amazing day and stay safe. Remember to say something positive today. You never know who it can help. A simple smile can make someone's day. Thank you for all of the support. Until next time, keep smelling great and being great.
Buy Floris No 89 here (Not an affiliate link)
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