Okay I've never tried Windsor and have been tempted to purchase a stupendously over priced sample before now just to be one of the privileged few who know what all the fuss is about? I'm suspecting like many, many folks who are smelling Royal Mayfair for the first time and having their hopes of a holy grail dashed, because it really isn't what they had anticipated Windsor to be like. Well I agree. Although I could be wrong...This might be a pale imitation in comparison but even the sales assistant was quick to say that it was a Windsor doppelganger, so what conclusion am I supposed to draw? Well, just going off the fragrance alone, instantly it smells like Creed. I'm not exactly sure I can put into words what I mean by that...but bare with me. I think its the juniper/citrus opening which is fresh and bracing in a really good way. Then there's a slightly herbal pine refrain which settled down on my skin to a very different Rose heart. I say 'different' because it's not dark or thickly perfumed or jammy or anything like that but more like a Penhaligon's opus 1870 refined rose note. This however is not the whole story and I've deliberated started talking about what I consider to be the 'garnish'. The main offender (depending how you see it?) here is the eucalyptus which rides through each layer of this perfume from top to bottom. I actually found it to be quite an interesting and subtle note not overbearing but I can absolutely understand the aversion and negative connotations associated with it. Menthol cough sweets, cheap minty smells and coupled with pine in here cheap bathroom cleaning products. Thankfully I think it's handled pretty tactfully in this composition and doesn't tip over into that territory but instead walks a thin line of questionable appeal but for sure those who love it, they will revere this quality as setting it apart from other fragrances and in truth...it does. My girlfriend hated this one. I however liked Royal Mayfair my minor criticism would be it's a bit weak and lack luster. I think a deep wood base and drydown wouldn't have gone a miss. Instead you get a scent which never really kicks but delivers some rarely (if ever?)seen olfactory ideas. After all I would say that is what I look for in a fragrance so I can't fault it there. Royal mayfair is certainly no rehashing of done to death and tired concepts, (well...maybe one of it's own?) which it must be commended and given some credit for. Lasted reasonably on my skin but I think for the price you might feel short changed for anything other than beastmode strength. I would like to trial this properly and give a better appraisal because my instant thoughts were that I wouldn't wear it but I have a feeling it might be a grower this one.