Racquets

The Verdict

Racquets by Penhaligon's, released in 2021, lives in the shadow of its much-loved predecessor. The original Racquets Formula from 1989 is considered by many to be one of the finest British sport fragrances ever created, a lavender-and-oakmoss masterpiece that commands cult prices on the secondary market. This modern reinterpretation, composed by Fabrice Pellegrin, takes a radically different path: stripped down to essentially three notes, it delivers a bright lemon-and-leather experience that is pleasant, well-executed, and distinctly less ambitious. Whether that simplicity is a virtue or a letdown depends entirely on what you are looking for.

What It Smells Like

The opening is all Lemon -- punchy, zesty, and remarkably photorealistic. This is not a synthetic citrus blast or a cleaning-product lemon. It reads as actual lemon zest, sharp and fresh and bright. One enthusiastic reviewer said the wood "truly gives the impression of Victorian wood that has been encased in leather and cleaned with lemon." A less charitable assessment compared it to "cheap hand wash from McDonald's." The truth sits somewhere between those extremes.

Within about ten minutes, the citrus yields to a wave of Guaiac Wood and Ambroxan, which together create a transparent, slightly smoky woody core. The Leatherwood in the base brings a suede-like softness rather than heavy-handed leather, and it merges with the remaining lemon to create what many describe as the scent of old cricket balls, wicker baskets, and tennis whites.

The overall arc is straightforward: bright citrus to warm leather-wood, with ambroxan providing that modern, clean radiance throughout. It is a simple fragrance, but one that has been competently assembled.

When to Wear It

Racquets is built for warm weather. The lemon opening thrives in heat, and the lighter-than-expected drydown keeps it from becoming cloying. The community favors daytime use (26% day versus 8% night), and it works well for anything from office meetings to outdoor gatherings. It has a sporting, active quality that suits casual contexts but enough polish for business settings.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is the most debated aspect. Some reviewers report 8-10 hours with good sillage, calling it a signature-worthy scent. Others find it disappointingly light for an Eau de Parfum, citing 3-4 hours before it fades to a whisper. The consensus lands somewhere around 5-6 hours of moderate wear, with projection strongest in the first hour before the lemon fades and the woody base settles close to skin.

The Community Says

With 139 community votes and a 3.78 average on Fragrantica, Racquets lands in positive-but-not-overwhelming territory: 36% love it, 29% like it, while 21% dislike it and 14% find it merely acceptable. The polarization largely traces back to the 1989 original. Fans of the Racquets Formula -- which one Badger & Blade member called "quite possibly the best barbershop fragrance ever created" -- tend to view the 2021 version as "a farce." Those approaching it without that baggage tend to appreciate its clean execution. Professional reviewers note it "could be seen as safe and a bit unexciting" while acknowledging the quality of the lemon note. The comparison to Frapin 1697 Cedrat Boisee comes up frequently, with some finding the two nearly identical in the drydown.

Who Should Buy This

Racquets is for the person who wants a polished, uncomplicated lemon-leather scent from a heritage British house. It works well as a warm-weather office fragrance or a weekend signature for someone who prefers clean, woody-citrus compositions. If you enjoy Cedrat Boisee but want something with a touch more leather character, this is worth trying.

Skip it if you want complexity, if you are nostalgic for the oakmoss-and-lavender grandeur of the 1989 original, or if you find ambroxan-heavy compositions generic. At Penhaligon's pricing, the simplicity of the formula may feel like a stretch for some buyers.

The Bottom Line

Racquets 2021 is a well-made lemon-leather fragrance that does its job without pretension. It smells expensive in a quiet way, like freshly polished wood in a clubhouse. But it also never quite reaches for greatness, content to be pleasant where its predecessor was exceptional. As an entry point to Penhaligon's, it is approachable and likable. As a successor to one of British perfumery's legendary compositions, it leaves something on the table.