Behind the Palace Doors
Awarded to the first Duke of Marlborough after his bravery during the war of the Spanish Succession, Blenheim Palace has remained an enduring landmark of British Heritage since its construction in 1772. Appointed as a world heritage site in 1987, the castle’s historic landscaping and classical design is regarded as one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Britain.
As such, Walter Penhaligon saw it only fit to create a fragrance that captured the Palace’s majesty. Blenheim Bouquet was commissioned in 1902 for the 9th Duke of Marlborough and is inspired by the best of British gin, the Duke’s tipple of choice we presume.
With notes of Amalfi lemon, pine and black pepper, its rumoured that this classical concoction once tickled the nose of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was rumoured to sport the fragrance himself. Quite fitting seeing as he was born at the Palace, would you fancy that!
Everything you didn’t know about Blenheim Palace:
1. The first Duke of Marlborough was awarded £240,000 to build his home, unfortunately he passed long before the palace was finished due to frailty from the war.
2. Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace, though through quite accidental circumstances, when his parents were visiting.
3. The palace hosts a jousting tournament every summer where Brave Knights and their noble steeds face battle and put on a glorious show.
4. Not just home to Dukes and nobility, Mr Bond paid a visit to Blenheim Palace when filming Spectre in 2015. We imagine he takes his spritz of Blenheim Bouquet shaken, not stirred (though we recommend doing neither).
5. It’s rumoured that Henry I kept lions at the palace, quite dangerous we think, though perhaps not so scandalous as Henry II using the castle as a secret meeting spot for his mistress.
A cocktail of lemon, black pepper and pine, fresh and fragrant as British wit.
Sports Car Club: The Documentary
No need to worry if you missed the premiere. Watch what happened when we stopped by Blenheim Palace with some marvellous motors.
Further Reading
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