Where Black Roses Grow Old

Halfeti, the Turkish town famous for its black roses, was such a popular scent by Penhaligon's that they decided to release two flankers.

The original took me to a market at its busiest hour. We are still wandering through that same market, but it's winter now - the cypress trees stand bare, with an earthy patchouli sprouting in their place.

The merchants trading in warm spices and dark roses are still bartering, but the citrus stalls now sell plums. These are not bright and juicy, but dark and smoky. It’s as if the leather sellers next door, burning incense on their oud-wood countertops, have infused their scent into the fruit.

Unlike the OG, which opens with chaotic vibrancy before settling into a less interesting drydown, this one only improves with time. I adore incense, so perhaps I'm biased, but here it's both strong and balanced - effortlessly wisping through the spiced woods and plum-soaked leather, uplifting ingredients which are often so heavy into something airy and alluring.

The jarring interplay between greenness, animalics and saffron in Halfeti is nowhere to be found here. Instead, Halfeti Leather amplifies the darker notes, quietens the rose, and infuses the whole concoction with a ripe, fruity plum. This ultimately leaves a scent that takes me to an Eastern furniture store - the smell of rich incense, aged leather throws, and ancient woods worn sweet with time.