Wowza!!! This stuff is pretty special right here. Atkinsons are brand which I've admired from afar for some time but never committed to purchasing...until now that is and 41 Burlington arcade is the fragrance to tip me over the edge. I've very nearly bought Old bond street triple in the past and then haven't for whatever reason but that's a decent, masculine freshie. I'd say this shares the same kind of fresh, citrus/musk attitude and is incredibly invigorating with one key kicker which is present right from the outset and that's pepper. This stuff is a pepper bomb, in a good way the notes are so complimentary from the sharp bitter grapefruit opening, to the wet flint spark, earthy vetiver and peppery liquorice accord of the main body of this fragrance. It is straight up impressive and does put me in mind of Clive Christian V (I think it's V...the pepper one anyway) and of course in the designer realm the now discontinued and sort after Marc Jacobs BANG! such is the peppery dominance of this creation. Somehow 41 Burlington manages to be simultaneously more classy and more down to earth and masculine than either of those. A perfect combination of things coming together, I like the brand, I like the notes and execution of the fragrance and I like the fact that it is masculine, without being inaccessible to the female crowd but in my opinion, it's not exactly unisex. I like the unique nature of it too and a prime example of how to make a fragrance subtly smoky but show restraint. It's really good basically. The performance was hard to asses from the first wear but it's no monster and maybe you'd expect that from the price etc...but even if it's poor I will let it have a pass because I really enjoyed it. My girlfriend complimented it and from distance too as the projection and silage was massive to begin with before dying down. Fresh but woody and extremely spicy, it's a dream this one, I love it and will probably buy it.
41 Burlington Arcade is a very safe and masculine scent which has some unique notes, but overall settles into something not so exciting. It opens with some gentle medley of citrus - grapefruit and lemon namely, alongside an absolute boatload of white pepper. The first time I smelled this it made me sneeze from the strength of the pepper in the opening. From here, thankfully the pepper settles down, and reveals a heart of warm, dry spices. Liquorice and nutmeg are cosy and sharp, while cardamom and pimento are smooth and fiery. This is backed up by a gentle hint of incense and a classical masculine base of Vetiver and cedar. There’s no denying this smells good, but it for me it lacks a certain excitement and journey. The combination of cardamom, nutmeg and pimento resting on Vetiver and cedar remind me of Clive Christian No. 1 - the quality is not quite the same but for the price difference this is a good alternative.