CLIVE CHRISTIAN
TOWN & COUNTRY

2023

PERFUMER
Vincent Ricord

lemon
juniper
bergamot
clary sage

cardamom
white tea
sandalwood
frankincense

ambergris
cedarwood
cashmeran
patchouli

‘Originally created in 1925 and famously worn by Winston Churchill, Town & Country was a shining star of a new era of the Crown Perfumery Company. Today it is reimagined with the Clive Christian hallmarks of complexity, concentration and dedication to the finest ingredients – perfectly crafted for self expression. Crisp with refreshing notes from the most elegant of herbs resting on a deeper base. Capturing the natural beauty of the countryside and the elegance of London town.’ – Clive Christian

I quite like this and it’s probably one of the most enjoyable Clive Christian fragrances that I’ve tried a while. I will say, this smells closer to Creed Aventus than I expected based on the reviews I’d read of it and overall, it lacks in originality a bit.

To me, this has an unmistakable Aventus vibe straight from the opening. Not identical, but a clear comparison with the citrus, greens and watery ambergris quality.

I feel like it’s sweeter on me versus how others seem to perceive it. That being said, at no point do I get any Baccarat Rouge from this as others have referenced. Clary sage seems to be a main theme here, making the perception steer towards ‘oh, it has to be aromatic’, but ambroxan is derived from clary sage and is used to mimic ambergris. I think it’s a sweet ambroxan/ambergris-heavy take on Aventus, even more so than it is aromatic. I get some hints of the ‘aromatic-vanilla’ Nishane Ani, making the combination smells a little bit like Electimuss Imperium, albeit that Town & Country feels more mature.

It also feels more crisp and less ambery than V Canto Adux, which is the main ‘Aventus-esque’ fragrance in my current rotation. Town & Country retains it’s mineralic, ambergris vibe more.

Overall, not really an original direction, but well-executed and I enjoyed wearing it.