Velvet Dandy

Velvet Dandy opens on a vibrant, slightly fruity flourish of raspberry, citron and bergamot, mirroring the unexpected sweet-fruity start that gives Penhaligon's The Dandy its character. The dupe keeps that opening, leaning the raspberry a touch sweeter and juicier. The heart is the heart of the matter: a rich, boozy accord of oak, smooth whiskey and dry cedarwood that evokes aged casks, elegant and a little dandyish. Where the original drifts fairly linear, fading the fruit to leave mossy woods and whiskey, Perfume Parlour holds the sweetness a little longer before the woods take over. The drydown settles into earthy patchouli and modern clearwood for a smooth, refined finish. Performance is decent for a budget scent though, as some owners note, it runs shorter than the Penhaligon's, with moderate projection. A sophisticated fruity-woody for cooler months that carries from office to evening.