Paying homage to an olfactory trailblazer, Atkinsons James seeks to bottle the vibrancy and elegance of the brand’s founder. Founded in 1799 by James Atkinson, Atkinsons London was born when its then-seventeen-year-old eponymous founder left his hometown of Cumberland for London, accompanied by, ahem…a bear. Fortunately, he also saw fit to tote his recipes for fine scents and toiletries — including his first creation, Otto of Rose, a pomade made from precious essential oils extracted from Persian flowers — and swiftly became one to watch in the capital during the Regency era.
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Soon after setting up shop in Bloomsbury, Atkinson’s entrepreneurial spirit saw his business take off to such an extent that he moved with his brother Edward to premises at 44 Gerrard Street in Soho. James Atkinson’s enduring influence comes courtesy of his sensory experimentation; seeking to create an eau de cologne suited to the dandies of British high society. A marked deviation from the citrusy Italian and French colognes typical of the time, the resultant heady scent was based on woody and spicy notes, with Atkinsons’ Eau de Cologne becoming the must-have fragrance for society folk. The warm reception resulted in Atkinsons being appointed the Official Perfumer to the Royal Court of England, leading to the fragrance house’s global fame.
The brand’s latest release, Atkinsons James, is a potent cocktail of bright bergamot, lime, and peppercorn, attenuated by herbaceous clary sage and softened by a heart of resinous elemi oil and white flowers. The rich smokiness of vetiver, combined with earthy patchouli and spicy akigalawood underscores the scent, resulting in a nuanced fragrance. Its warm, spicy amber notes make it dually suited to men and women—with a bold character and flair for experimentation the only prerequisites for wear.
Words by Henry Blake
