Fragrances inspired by The Inimitable William Penhaligon Eau de Parfum
The original
The Inimitable William Penhaligon
Penhaligon's
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedOur verdict
While both fragrances share a woody, smoky profile with similar notes like sandalwood and ambroxan, the key difference lies in price and refinement.
What they share
Every one of its 7 notes is in the original, including Ambroxan, Sandalwood, Incense
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Choose Inimitable when
Budget is your primary concern.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 11 notes, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar
The main difference
Adds amber and amberwood, drops ambroxan and bergamot
What they share
Shares 5 of its 6 notes, including Sandalwood, Incense, Vetiver
The main difference
Adds cypress, drops ambroxan and jasmine
What they share
Shares 5 of its 19 notes, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar
The main difference
Adds amber and amberwood, drops ambroxan and incense
What they share
Shares 4 of its 6 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Jasmine
The main difference
Adds musk and pine, drops ambroxan and incense
What they share
Shares 5 of its 10 notes, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar
The main difference
Adds apple and frankincense, drops ambroxan and incense
What they share
Shares 4 of its 7 notes, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar
The main difference
Adds ambergris and lavender, drops ambroxan and incense
What they share
Shares 4 of its 15 notes, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar
The main difference
Adds citrus and frankincense, drops ambroxan and bergamot
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Penhaligon's. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.