Atkinsons is a luxury British perfumery founded in 1799 by James Atkinson. The best Atkinsons perfumes for women are elegant, refined and uncompromising.
This historic perfume house was designated the personal perfumer to the royal family in 1826; the Atkinsons perfume house is both historic and iconic.
I decided to pay a visit to the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London, to experience the Atkinsons perfume collection for myself. Coming up are my top picks.
Best Atkinsons Perfumes For Women
If you are looking for the best Atkinsons perfumes for women, these elegant choices could be just what you have been waiting for!
1. Oud Save The Queen Eau de Parfum
Review
Blended by Francis Delemont as part of a duo to celebrate Atkinsons’ 200th birthday as a brand, Oud Save the Queen is a striking blend of sweet woods and white florals.
Top notes of Earl Grey tea, clove, and bergamot make the initial wave of this scent dry and fruity before the heart of jasmine, and orange blossom comes into its own.
Exotic Guaiac wood and oud accord create a dry, deep base with rich and resinous undertones that I found delightfully sweet on the dry-down.
Top Notes:
Earl Grey Tea, Bergamot Accord, Clove
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Guaiac Wood, Oud Accord
Seasons & Longevity
Best worn in autumn, winter, and early spring, Oud Save the Queen is a cool weather fragrance that can also flourish in spring if the conditions are right.
Potent and lasting, one benefit is that it will carry you from day to night, offering 7+ hours of noticeable scent from a single application.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A rich and elegant feminine fragrance that performs well |
| Cons | Initially a little too heavy on the clove |
2. Amber Empire Eau de Toilette
Review
Amber Empire has a lot in common with the more masculine Pirates Grand Reserve – so if you like one, you are sure to enjoy the other. This is a brighter, more feminine iteration, however.
Jasmine, heliotrope, and rum combine to create a rich, sweet, and harmonious initial scent that blends perfectly with the heart notes of cocoa, geranium, and cedar.
This light, sensual blend is supported by a base heavy with vanilla and a touch of smoky patchouli; Similar to Tangier Vanille by Aerin Lauder.
Top Notes:
Rum, Heliotrope, Jasmine
Mid Notes:
Cocoa Beans, Geranium, Cedar
Base Notes:
Madagascar Vanilla Essence, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
Another cold weather scent, Amber Empire, will be at its best during spring, autumn and winter. I found this to be an easy-to-wear scent from day to night.
Expect 6+ hours of wear with good projection, casting a long trail of delicious aromas behind you.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Elegant and gently boozy, has a little mystery |
| Cons | Does smell like a lot of other perfumes on the market due to too much vanilla |
3. Rose In Wonderland Eau de Parfum
Review
A stunning floral fragrance, Rose in Wonderland is a delight for the senses. Sweet, fresh, and floral, this 2014 scent will undoubtedly turn heads.
Juicy blackcurrant bud and refreshing rose dew accord make the opening of this scent bright, light, and sweet until the heart notes of rose centifolia absolute and geranium bloom.
This slightly more robust heart is bolstered by crystal amber and vetiver, which add a sweet and almost spicy resinous edge. Reminds me of A La Rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Top Notes:
Rose Dew Accord, Blackcurrant Buds
Mid Notes:
Rose Centifolia Absolute, Geranium
Base Notes:
Crystal Amber, Vetiver
Seasons & Longevity
Light and airy, Rose in Wonderland is a spring and summer perfume that casts a soft, subtle scent bubble. Wear during the day for best effect and expect to reapply.
While far from weak, one drawback is that it fades quicker than most perfumes on this list and will only give you a noticeable scent for 4+ hours.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | An elegant rose fragrance that smells expensive |
| Cons | Not very long-lasting |
4. Gold Fair In Mayfair Eau de Parfum
Review
Blended by Phillipine Courtiere, Gold Fair in Mayfair is a rich, decadent, and boozy scent that embodies the indulgence and luxury of iconic London’s Mayfair.
A bold, punchy wave of absinthe and nutmeg opens Gold Fair in Mayfair with a bang; this alone is certain to turn heads, but as the heart notes of cocoa, sage, and iris bloom, the blend becomes more opulent.
Incense, vetiver, and ambrox form a robust and powerful base that adds depth to this perfume. Also, consider YSL Black Opium Intense for a combo of absinthe and coffee.
Top Notes:
Absinthe, Nutmeg
Mid Notes:
Iris, Cocoa Beans, Sage
Base Notes:
Ambrox, Vetiver, Incense
Seasons & Longevity
Gold Fair in Mayfair is an ideal cool-weather perfume that will warm and invigorate you. I recommend you wear this from autumn to spring, more of an evening scent.
Performance is excellent, offers as much as 7+ hours of wear from one application, and becomes richer and sweeter as it evolves.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Head-turning scent with unique absinthe note |
| Cons | More of an evening only perfume |
5. Tulipe Noire Eau de Parfum
Review
As a floral and woody musk fragrance, Tulipe Noire is a unique and incredibly enticing perfume with fruity edges and a sensual, feminine floral heart.
Fresh coriander and bergamot make the opening of Tulipe Noire invigorating, green, and bright, while the heart of jasmine and tuberose adds softness and a sweet undercurrent.
You will discover woody and resinous notes of cedar, sandalwood, and white musk at the base. I found this to be a complex, musky, and unusual scent that lingers on the skin.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Coriander
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, Tuberose
Base Notes:
Cedar, Sandalwood, White Musk
Seasons & Longevity
Tulipe Noire is one of the only true year-round scents on this list. Thanks to its balanced notes, it can be worn day or night for any occasion (it’s even office safe).
Think of this as a safe day-to-day option for those who like to turn heads; it even offers 6+ hours of performance.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A versatile day-to-day feminine fragrance |
| Cons | Not for those who don’t enjoy musk |
6. The Nuptial Bouquet Eau de Toilette
Review
Launched in 2013, The Nuptial Bouquet is a fresh white floral that’s perhaps the most traditionally feminine scent on this list. Classic, but not dated, it is an elegant choice.
Floral at first, you will notice Lily of the valley, closely followed by the heart notes of myrtle, freesia, and powdery violet leaves.
White musk and sandalwood give The Nuptial Bouquet a soft, musky, woody finish that feels classy and mature without making the overall blend seem dated.
Top Notes:
Lily Of The Valley
Mid Notes:
Myrtle Flowers, Freesia, Violet Leaves
Base Notes:
White Musk, Sandalwood
Seasons & Longevity
Simply spring/summer in a bottle, so it should come as no shock that spring and summer days are perfect for this elegant and feminine fragrance.
The projection is initially solid but fleeting, much like the blend itself. One drawback is that I only managed 3+ hours of noticeable scent from one application.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | An incredibly elegant and classic feminine fragrance |
| Cons | Very poor longevity |
7. Her Majesty The Oud Eau de Parfum
Review
Created to honour the extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell, a real-life female Indiana Jones, Her Majesty the Oud is a fruity, rich and sweet, paying homage to the Orient.
Opening with sweet red berries and rich osmanthus flower, this fragrance is almost gourmand. Heart notes of rose, saffron and iris ensure it becomes only more beautiful.
These fragrant notes are complemented by a base of Oud of Assan, vanilla, and leather; the result is a fruity scent with exotic flowers, leather and wood.
Top Notes:
Osmanthus Flower, Red Berries
Mid Notes:
Turkish Rose, Saffron, Iris
Base Notes:
Oud of Assan, Vanilla, Leather
Seasons & Longevity
As a spice and Oud based blend, Her Majesty the Oud is best worn in autumn, winter and even early spring. Wear to formal events to really up the wow factor!
This potent blend has impressive staying power of 7+ hours and excellent projection. This fragrance will get you noticed.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A beautiful blend of rose and rich oud |
| Cons | Maybe too much leather for some |
Ingrid’s Top Pick
Oud Save The Queen Eau de Parfum
My favourite feminine perfume from the Atkinsons collection was Oud Save The Queen Eau de Parfum because the fresh white floral notes work well with the gently spiced oud and tea notes.
Conclusion
The best Atkinsons perfumes for women prove that feminine fragrances don’t have to shy away from bold and powerful blends to be sensual or beautiful.
Price-wise, 100ml/3.3 fl oz of Atkinsons Eau de Parfum will set you back £160/$190, so although leaning to the expensive side of things, price vs performance is excellent.
Don’t forget to check out Andrew’s review of 7 Atkinsons Fragrances For The English Gentleman
