Penhaligon's 2011 Cologne

U ££

Esprit du Roi

by Bertrand Duchaufour

Penhaligon's Esprit du Roi is a Cologne launched in 2011, created by Bertrand Duchaufour. The fragrance opens with Mint, Aldehydes, Tomato Leaf, and Citrus, settles into a heart of Jasmine, Geranium, Ylang-Ylang, and Clove, and dries down to a base of Raspberry, Vetiver, Sandalwood, and Patchouli.

Our verdict on Esprit du Roi: Favourite

A truly refined old-school aromatic with a contemporary twist that's divisive: some adore its classic charm, while others find it a touch dated. If you appreciate traditional colognes updated for modern sensibility, this could be your sophisticated signature, despite its fleeting nature.
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  • Sophisticated
  • Classic
  • Clean
  • Elegant
  • Fresh
Esprit du Roi Cologne bottle

ScentArt

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Profile

Citrus Floral Fruity Green Sweet Warm Woody Earthy Animalic Fresh
Citrus 13%
Floral 23%
Fruity 6%
Green 15%
Sweet 16%
Warm 10%
Woody 14%
Earthy 12%
Animalic 8%
Fresh 20%

Mood Profile

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

Accords

Aromatic
100%
Fresh Spicy
80%
Citrus
72%
Green
69%
Woody
62%

Notes

Top Notes

Tomato Leaf 15% Mint 14% Aldehydes 12% Citrus 12% Citron 8% Bergamot 8% Artemisia 8% Lemon 8% Mandarin 7% Cardamom 7%

Heart Notes

Geranium 26% Clove 20% Jasmine 19% Ylang-Ylang 18% Honeysuckle 17%

Base Notes

Oakmoss 15% Vetiver 14% Raspberry 14% Ambergris 13% Sandalwood 11% Patchouli 11% Musk 11% Cedar 11%

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer Fall

A warm-weather pick - at its best in spring and autumn.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Formal

Its moderate longevity and subtle sillage make it ideal for office wear, being noticeable but not overpowering. While versatile, its classic and refined character, leaning towards a 'barbershop' style, is less suited for casual or sport settings than for more composed environments.

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Where to buy

Wide selection Amazon UK Prime delivery often available Check price on → Check price on →

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About

Opens with a sharp, zesty citrus burst, quickly joined by the unique, herbaceous tang of tomato leaf and cool mint. The heart reveals a sophisticated blend of fresh geranium and warm clove, with subtle hints of jasmine and ylang-ylang adding a soft floral touch. It dries down to a classic, musky base of vetiver, earthy oakmoss, and creamy sandalwood, creating a clean, slightly powdery finish. Don't expect raspberry - it’s a phantom note.

Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.