Roaring Radcliff

Roaring Radcliff, inspired by Penhaligon's Roaring Radcliff (2017)

Rum sets the tone from the start, with bergamot and a green, aniseed-like tarragon keeping the top from feeling syrupy. Ginger, rose and tobacco form the heart, smoky and spiced in a way that recalls gingerbread. The base gathers honey and beeswax, a slightly waxy, animalic sweetness, with cinnamon, tonka bean, amberwood and leather. Overall it is sweet and boozy rather than fresh.

About the original

Roaring Radcliff belongs to Penhaligon's Portraits collection and arrived in February 2017 with Clandestine Clara as the second wave of the series, after an announcement in late 2016. In the Portraits story he is the secret son of Lord George, and launch press framed the scent around provocation and excess. Launch press credits Daphné Bugey. Penhaligon's has not published a full note list; the pyramid used here comes from a single fragrance reference, while launch press mentions only rum, tobacco and spices. It is no longer listed in the house's current Portraits line-up.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Penhaligon's stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Tobacco and rum lovers will recognise the territory straight away. Honey and beeswax make it notably sweet, which is the main thing that could put off someone who prefers dry or clean scents.

Related scents

• Penhaligon's The Tragedy Of Lord George
• Penhaligon's Clandestine Clara
• Penhaligon's The Blazing Mr Sam

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Bergamot, Tarragon, Rum

Heart notes: Ginger, Rose, Tobacco

Base notes: Amberwood, Beeswax, Cinnamon, Honey, Leather, Tonka Bean

Rum and bergamot open it, with tarragon giving a herbal, slightly aniseed twist.

Tobacco and ginger form the middle, with a touch of rose behind them.

Honey, beeswax and cinnamon sweeten the drydown, and leather, amberwood and tonka bean give it a dark, smooth finish.

Is Penhaligon's Roaring Radcliff discontinued?

It no longer appears in Penhaligon's current Portraits range, though some retailers still have stock. We have not seen an official statement from the house.

How is Roaring Radcliff related to The Tragedy of Lord George?

Both belong to the Portraits collection, where Radcliff is Lord George's secret son. They are separate scents; Lord George is also in our range.

Does Roaring Radcliff smell of tobacco or of rum?

Both. Rum leads at the start and tobacco comes through in the heart, with honey and leather in the base.

Is Penhaligon's Roaring Radcliff coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Penhaligon's that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Penhaligon's and Roaring Radcliff are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Penhaligon's in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.