The Favourite is a Penhaligon’s fragrance launched in 2020 and composed by Aliénor Massenet. The house drew its inspiration from Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, brought to the screen by the film The Favourite. This musky floral pairs mandarin and bergamot with a heart of mimosa, iris and jasmine, over a base of sandalwood and musk.
Despina Veneti, writing for ÇaFleurBon, sees a charming, youthful musky floral; Victoria Frolova, for Bois de Jasmin, finds it well built and warns that its musk will not please everyone.
What critics say
Despina Veneti, ÇaFleurBon, March 31, 2020
Despina Veneti describes a bright, citrusy opening that turns powdery and sensual without losing its lightness. She reads in it the charming, lively side of the woman who inspired it, with a touch of youthfulness, frivolity and mischief.
She speaks of a “veil of silky musk” that keeps the fragrance in an airy elegance, and describes it as a well-mannered musky floral that ends on a restrained sensuality.
Victoria Frolova, Bois de Jasmin, September 4, 2020
Victoria Frolova describes a bright, sweet citrus start that quickly slides into a floral accord. She sets it apart from Ombre Rose and Arpège: for her, The Favourite is not a powdery floral of that kind.
She calls it “a well-crafted perfume” and says she returns to it for comfort, but advises against buying it without trying it first, because of the prominent place musk takes in it.
More perfumes from Penhaligon's
Also composed by Aliénor Massenet
- Million Gold for Her ParfumPaco Rabanne
- Repetto Néroli Solaire Eau de ToiletteRepetto
- Million Gold for HerPaco Rabanne
- CosmosMemo Paris
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