FRAGRANCE | Monsieur Beauregard EDP by Penhaligon's: Reserved, elegant, and a silent performer

I'm a sucker for the intricate, animal head bottle cap designs of Penhaligon's Portraits Collection. Never mind the not-so-chic paper label but the bottles do make a handsome-looking collection nonetheless. Banking on my overall positive experience with this house, I blind-bought Monsieur Beauregard.

Right off the bat I already detect sandalwood, but it's still bubbling under a layer of lemon and sweet resins, as if waiting for the right time to fully reveal itself. And so it does once the lemon has fizzled out just a few minutes in. It's not so much reminiscent of pencil shavings like Diptyque's Tam Dao. This one is creamy, almost oily, but with its woody character still intact. The sweetness in the opening lingers, dancing with the sandalwood, and with a powdery accord watching intently in the background. Beautiful and elegant!

Later, a peppery spiciness surfaces, soft at first and then very carefully progresses in strength, overpowering the sandalwood in the process. For a second I was worried it would get too spicy and sharp because I already have enough of those scents. To my relief it doesn't. There's this dose of sweetness that seems to temper it. Conversely, the spiciness also seems to control the sweetness, so it never gets cloying. Talk about the right balance! By the way, this stage is the most extended on my skin before it mellows down and decides to share the spotlight it stole from the creamy sandalwood.

Monsieur Beauregard for me seems like a more reserved addition to the brand's Portraits line. I probably am just accustomed to how potent the likes of The Uncompromising Sohan and Roaring Radcliff are, so this feels a lot quieter in comparison. Make no mistake, however, because Monsieur Beauregard has legs, though not as enduring as the two I just mentioned. Projection is moderate overall but it takes its time before receding into a skin scent. So much so for something "quiet."

Monsieur Beauregard is a rich but not too heavy scent. It evokes an air of sophistication, which I think is best suited for evenings and colder temperatures. If you live in the tropics like I do, it can still work, especially in temperature-controlled environments. Just don't use it when it's really, really hot and humid. Personally I think it's worth having but as with everything from the Penhaligon's Portraits Collection, the price will always play a deciding factor. Try it first.