Sometimes when a perfume doesn’t have any impression on me, I store it away and pull it out 6-12 months later to see if my tastes have changed. Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling was exiled to this chartreuse hat box. Here I am 2 years later trying it again to see it had grown on me.
Juniper Sling opens with a crisp citrus. I can’t shake the ambroxan from the start. It seems to overtake the fragrance. When I ignore the ambroxan (I have to make a conscious effort to do this), I get this delightful cardamom and juniper gin and tonic on ice. There’s a hint of bitter citrus and sour cherry juice. It’s all cool and refreshing. And then it dries down to a sheer ambroxan which is like a “clean amber”. Juniper Sling gives me no emotions. I just can’t connect with it.
I really wish that I could say that Juniper Sling had grown on me. I mean, it did to some extent…I noticed more of the spices. However, I still find Juniper Sling disappointing. It reminds me too much of “mall” fragrances like Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for Women, Burberry Beat and Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume. But, really it reminds me way too much of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue which is an excellent perfume but it already exists (but without the cardamom). I always knock off the imaginary points that I assign a fragrance when it’s something more luxurious (AKA expensive) that reminds me of a more mainstream, designer fragrance that already exists. Of course there are exceptions to my rules, but I’m disappointed with Juniper Sling. It was such a good idea but I feel it fell flat.
My other issue is that the marketing and packaging of this fragrance is gorgeous and deco inspired. It’s supposed to bring to mind glamour and flappers but it doesn’t (well, the packaging does). This scent just makes me think of a mall in Anywhere, Middle America circa 1997. This is another fail in my book.
Notes listed include cinnamon, orange brandy, angelica, juniper berry, cardamom, leather, black pepper, orris wood, brown sugar, black cherry, vetiver, and ambroxan. Launch date 2011. PERFUMER – Olivier Cresp
Give Juniper Sling a try if you like fresh fragrances. Or if you like perfumes like Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for Women, Burberry Beat EDT, Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume, CK One and/or Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace. Juniper Sling is unisex and a good choice for warm climates or those looking for a daily, inoffensive fragrance. I’m disappointed by Juniper Sling but I imagine it’s a very popular fragrance for them because it’s approachable and the packaging is pretty.
Projection is average and longevity is below average. I get about 3-4 hours wear from this fragrance.
The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $120 at Beautyhabit and Penhaligon’s (UK).
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Ambroxan citrus. I’m sure this is a very popular perfume for the line since it is so approachable. I tried to love it, but I can’t. It does nothing for me.
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From the time it had been released I wanted to try it – and somehow our paths haven’t crossed. And now your review makes iteven less desirable for me 🙂
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Try it if you can, many people seem to like it. It’s pleasant and all but not really “me”. Like if I had a 16 year old niece or nephew, I’d consider getting them this. (But, in all reality a 16 year old niece or nephew would probably just want Chanel Chance or Chanel Bleu).
I think my problem was my high expectations. I already had it in my head and was disappointed when it wasn’t what was in my head!
Oh that is too bad! They have a great video from Penhaligon’s that just soars with 20’s pazazz. Well like Charles Pierce said as Bette Davis “They all can’t be zingers!”
Love Colleen Moore she was amazing. I saw her in the 13 part Kevin Brownlow documentary “Hollywood” from Thames Television. It is all about the silent era. It is a must see if you haven’t seen it yet. She was so bright and funny and full of wonderful stories. It was filmed in 1980.
The Penhaligon’s promo video for this fragrance is amazing. The bottle is amazing. It’s all amazing except for the fragrance (which is my opinion). The fragrance is very “modern” which isn’t a bad thing if the marketing wasn’t all 1920’s, antique, speakeasy stuff.
I love Colleen too. She’s often forgotten because she was the “good girl” in comparison to the other vampy gals of the time. She was prolific during the silent era, everyone’s sweetheart and quite adored by Fitzgerald even 🙂
I will hunt down the doc. I’m pretty sure I saw pieces when I was in college when silent film was my obsession. I know I have not seen the entire series.
It is not in DVD form but is is on YouTube in it’s entirety! Just pop over to the old Ytube and type in Hollywood: A Celebration of The American Silent Film. I am re-watching it right now!
LANIER SMITH recently posted..A NEW KIND OF LOVE ~ Red Door Limited Edition by Elizabeth Arden
Dearest Victoria
Now I wouldn’t say this was my favourite fragrance of all time, but I find it to be rather fun and very refreshing.
And I don’t get nearly so much ambroxan a you do, which is odd because I’m no great fan of synthesised amber and therefore (sod’s law) it always seems to stand out.
A lucky piece of anosmia in this case it would appear.
What I do get is ooodles of gin and tonic of a very spiced kind (much more Tanqueray than Gordons).
I’m with you on depth though, this is a perfume of the shallows, but there again isn’t there a slight hint of that about the 1920s which it seems to reference so much?
For once I feel quite fortunate not to smell something others can!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Post Script:
Do adore the ‘new look’, v. smart!
theperfumeddandy recently posted..Everything to declare… Poivre by Caron The Perfumed Dandy’s Scented Letter
It’s a work in progress. After 4 years of the same design, it was time to Auntie Mame!
I’ve had that happen with a HdP perfume, my anosmia made me like it.
I’m starting to think that the gin that I consume is not the gin that everyone else consumes. Or maybe it’s more of the spiced variety. I drink two local brands – Aviation and Voyager, which are spicy cardamom-lemon-lavender-pepper gins. http://www.drinkspirits.com/gin/top-10-new-american-gins/
It’s a good fragrance and I have recommended it people that want something nice to wear during the day. But, it’s not me. And I can’t stand when a fragrance doesn’t match the marketing. That’s a personal pet-peeve.
Dearest Victoria
I’m with you on that last point about marketing and product mismatch…. sadly it is absolutely everywhere!
Don’t know those gins… but perhaps they are particularly aromatic… ergo, rather fine
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
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