Graham & Pott – Royal Llama

Established in 1890, Graham & Pott started as a manufacturer of luxurious materials and were renowned for dressing some of the most prominent and respected figures in history.  This esteemed reputation allowed the brand’s business to flourish into a luxurious lifestyle brand. This therefore led to the creation of a stunning array of fragrances that embody the refinement of the brand which has been maintained since 1890. The fragrances are inspired by the materials used in Graham & Pott’s  luxurious handcrafted goods, beautifully combined with elements of nature. 

Having not previously experienced their acclaimed fragrances, I was very keen to ascertain the qualities of this illustrious brand. Royal Llama Parfum is Graham & Pott’s latest release and is described as a fruity, leather and spicy fragrance. Its distinguished vibe is initiated by the bottle which exudes an exotic yet contemporary look with its vibrant hue of orange. A gold lid with engraved logo is wrapped with a leather strap, nodding to the notes inside the perfume.

Having previously gravitated towards more citrus fragrances, I’m used to those fleeting initial hesperidic notes providing a rush of effervescent vibrancy. However, this scent exuded an intriguing beginning, cascading an immediate enveloping warmth over the senses, which pleasantly surprised me. Saffron is the prominent note here, its earthy and sweet characteristics emit an almost soft leather-like accord. The exotic addition of Incense casts a delicate smokiness, intricately weaving its way through that dominant saffron note, resulting in an unforgettable richness. Many head notes are designed to quickly evaporate, however this composition delicately rises from the skin for some time.

There are an abundance of leather inspired fragrances out there, which simply put, all smell the same, so I was so relieved that Royal Llama diversifies into something completely unique. The addition of Osmanthus Flower bestows a mellow nectareous like tone with an underlying creaminess. Continuing with its floral heart the parfum reveals a subtle scattering of Rose with an entanglement of delicate and warm spices from Nutmeg. It almost reminds me of Mehalabya, a middle eastern milk pudding made with cream and sugar, infused with rose water and orange blossom.

As Royal Llama dries down, a buttery creaminess intensifies ebbing like sumptuously thick dulce de leche over the skin. This would have raised some concerns with me as I am not usually a lover of exorbitantly sweet scents but before it evolved into a full on gourmand composition, Musk and Oud Wood ensue. Although these have sweet attributes of their own, their woody, smokey and earthy accords soften the fragrance, attenuating that intense sweetness whilst adding depth and intensity. This wave of sensual, exotic and addictive notes will have you hooked from the moment you spritz the parfum onto the skin. Royal Llama is a highly unusual unisex scent and one that will be sure to turn heads due to its unique composition. The undeniable longevity, sleek packaging and high quality ingredients will no-doubt entice a new found intrigue into the distinguished world of Graham & Pott.

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Notes
Top: Saffron, Incense, Bergamot
Heart: Osmanthus, Nutmeg, Rose 
Base: Oud Wood, Musk, Toffee

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Blu Blazer Guy Rating:
Presentation 4/5
Sillage 4/5
Projection 4/5
Longevity 4/5

Fragrance Concentration: Parfum
Available online at Graham and Pott 
£295 – £385