What I like about JUNIPER SLING is that, although it is a somewhat standard cologne, the usual suspects are not the dominant players, so this creation ends up smelling completely different from all of the other colognes. The quality of materials is very good, and the composition is refreshing and invigorating, with a somewhat energizing aromatherapeutic effect. Lots of reviewers have commented on the gin and tonic scent of JUNIPER SLING, but of course what they're really saying is that the scent of gin derives from juniper, which is the focal note, logically enough, of JUNIPER SLING. The little juniper berry appears to have two and only two well-known uses: one to produce gin; the other to cook sauerbraten. For many people these are the sole encounters with this unique-smelling berry. It would be interesting to find out how the Germans feel about this cologne, since it might have a "familiarity breeds contempt" effect upon them.

I have always thought that gin and tonics smell a bit like hairspray or, I should say, my memory of my mother's hairspray when I was growing up, as I have not smelled that product in quite a while now. So it makes sense that the opening of JUNIPER SLING should remind me, too, a bit of hairspray. I hasten to clarify, however, that in this case the comparison is a compliment, as I rather like the quirky scent of juniper.Penhaligon’s new Juniper Sling was “inspired by London Dry Gin and the gin-drinking Bright Young Things of the 1920s.” Nancy Mitford, Cecil Beaton and Evelyn Waugh were B.Y.T. in England, and let’s throw in some Americans, too: Louise Brooks, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong will do. How far we’ve dimmed — “our” bright young things include the Kardashian sisters, Justin Bieber, Prince Harry and Pippa (not to mention hoards of reality TV cringe-inducers). Much less depressing to talk about perfume!

Juniper Sling* does smell, upon first sniff, like a fragrant bottle of gin — there’s “booze,” citrus, angelica and vibrant cardamom (the opening is the best part of the fragrance). Under those head notes floats transparent iris and light-smooth leather. (During its opening and early mid-phase of development, Juniper Sling reminds me of Crown Perfumery’s discontinued Eau de Russe.)

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