The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The name Racquets carries history. In 1989, Penhaligon's released an original Racquets Formula, a chypre cologne with linden blossom, lavender, and geranium over ylang ylang, cloves, oakmoss, musk, and amber. The 2021 reissue by Fabrice Pellegrin reimagines that spirit for a contemporary wearer, translating the old formula's clarity and ease into a citrus-woody structure that feels both familiar and newly relevant.
The reissue strips the formula to four materials: lemon, guaiac wood, ambroxan, and leatherwood. Each earns its place. Lemon brings the spark. Guaiac wood and ambroxan form a warm, mineral heart that keeps the citrus from feeling fleeting. Leatherwood, a distinctly Australian material with a honeyed, waxy quality, anchors the base with a soft leather signature that sets this apart from more conventional citrus scents.
The evolution
The opening hits immediately: lemon, sharp and sour, cutting through like a first serve. Within minutes, the guaiac wood arrives, dry, slightly smoky, with the kind of refined edge that matches the name. Ambroxan follows, adding warmth and a mineral-salt depth that elevates the wood. The drydown belongs to leatherwood: soft, warm, and lingering. On most skin, expect 6-8 hours with moderate sillage, present enough to be noticed, never overpowering. The drydown on fabric can last into the next day.
Cultural impact
Racquets stands apart in the citrus-woody category for its restraint. Where most modern fragrances announce themselves, this one asks you to lean in. The leatherwood base, a distinctly Australian material, gives it a signature that is neither common nor aggressive. This balance of presence and restraint positions Racquets as a thoughtful choice for those who want fragrance to accompany rather than compete.
