Layton

I bought this in Jan’21, and I’m still enjoying till today. I think in a way it’s the perfect fragrance. I have a collection of about 20 that I wear regularly. This is the only one I would consider to be my signature scent. My father used to wear Givenchy Pi almost daily, and so that aromatic, smooth and sweet profile has always been what I gravitate towards. Layton is spicier and more gourmand, but it has that medicinal sharpness at the opening which reminds me of Pi’s herbal top notes. I think this medicinal quality is what some people don’t care for (Vicks vaporub), which admittedly is pronounced when you smell it up close, but I’m not really bothered by it. In the air it smells so much smoother and loses some of that sharpness. As it progresses, it just smells so unbelievably gratifying and smooth.

Layton from PDM is a modern, youthful iteration of a classic fougère. It's has a bright opening of cardamom, bergamot, and apple, that to my nose was not harsh in any way, as some would say. An aromatic trio of lavender, geranium, and a light powdery violet in the heart of the composition, provides sufficient depth and nuances from each specific floral, rather than just your standard lavender. In the base of the fragrance is where the olfactory pyramid goes in a more contemporary direction. Beside the patchouli, is a pairing of praline and vanilla giving the scent profile a youthful edge, while guaiac wood lends a unique woody nuance compared to more traditional woody materials. Layton is an easy wearing, mass appealing scent profile and it is easily understandable why so many live this fragrance.

The initial opening is a fruity scent profile with Apple and citrus notes. At 15 minutes I am still getting the fruity scent from the initial opening, but I am also starting to pick up on the floral notes from the mid. At 30 minutes, the sweetness from the fruity notes continues to settle but is still present. The florals are the main scent at this time and I am also starting to pick up on some of the Vanilla and spicy notes. 60 minutes into the wear, I am now getting a spicy Vanilla scent profile with undertones of light woods; specifically the Sandalwood note. The dry down of this fragrance is a spicy Vanilla scent with undertones of soft woods and a slight earthiness from the Patchouli note.

So when I first got this a little over a year ago, I hated it. The opening was so harsh and sharp. Not bad quality sharp just strong. Finally getting cooler again and broke it out and wow. This is why I never review a frag until I have it and let it mature for at least 6-12 months. It makes a huge difference every time. Now Layton opens a lot smoother and the dry down is where this shines and now I get it. The spicy woods and vanilla is addicting. Kept catching myself smelling myself all night. It is great and sexy for colder weather. Last forever as do most PDMs. Must have in a collection for sure.

Just bought a new one, in comparison to the old I had it isn't as harsh and sharp in the opening. So less "warm spicy" but more mass appealing. You do not get the same "Vicks" kind of opening that people have talked about. I honestly like it better this way, even though the old opening grew on me, I really didn't like it at the start. The less sharp opening however likely makes people more noseblind, so that creates complaints along with that they miss the sharp opening they grew to like and therefore think it is weaker. Maturation ofc is gonna help my entirely new bottle as well in lasting longer.