Piccadilly
Boadicea the Victorious (2013)

Piccadilly opens with a fresh, slightly cinnamon sweetened saffron spice with faint hints of airy rose immediately detectable. As the composition moves to its early heart the saffron comes out in full force with the rose increasing in its intensity, rising to the level of co-star as the cinnamon remains in subtle support. Moving through the heart the saffron slowly cedes its starring role to the light and airy rose that takes control, as the tandem is now joined by supporting spicy-woody cypriol that features a very palpable frankincense-like facet underpinning the rose. During the late dry-down the initial saffron spiced airy rose vacates, replaced by a different rose featuring its powdery aspect through the finish. Projection is excellent, as is longevity at well over 12 hours on skin.

Piccadilly was pleasant from the get-go, but it doesn't elicit a strong "gotta have it" reaction early. When first applied on skin the initial thing that comes to mind is "very good" but nothing distinguishing it from so many others in a crowded spiced rose field. The composition's charms really sneak up on the wearer, as about an hour in a lovely spiced cypriol-laced airy rose accord sillage trail appears in waves that really smells quite captivating. It took a few whiffs before it was apparent this was Piccadilly strutting its stuff, separating it considerably from the pack. This aspect hangs around for a good five hours, and they certainly are compelling. The late dry-down, unfortunately, is a moderate baby powder-like rose fest that leaves a lot to be desired. In the end, Piccadilly opens pleasantly spicy though not outstanding, has an incredible mid-section, then ends weak and uninteresting. On the whole the composition is mostly successful, but at the kind of price Boadicea the Victorious wants for this stuff, "mostly successful" just doesn't seem good enough. The bottom line is the $375 per 100ml bottle Piccadilly features an outstanding mid-section housed between an open and close that don't distinguish the composition from many others, earning it a solid "very good" 3.5 stars out of 5 rating without taking price into account. If the $375 price is considered, one should steer well-clear of this offering as it is *way* overpriced for what it delivers with many others offering more for less financial outlay.