Rake and Ruin, the second chapter in Beaufort’s revenants series. The story is not about a particular historical figure but rather it’s about a typical character from 17th century: a rake, short for rakehell or hell raiser (a man, an aristocrat who was habituated to immoral conduct, womanizing, debauchery, drinking, gambling, duels and so on).
Ruin as in “mother’s ruin” which was a nick name for gin in 18th century. Etymologists still debate as to the origins of this expression.
So from this new perfume one can expect debaucherous smoke, gunpowder, a bouquet of aromatic herbs, fresh woods, leather and animalic vibes.
***
The Sniff on Rake and Ruin:
"This is liquid smoke in a scent. Think whisky by a bonfire, think winter nights burning twigs in the garden, think cordite and excitement and peeling your clothes off afterwards to find that the smell of the fire’s breath has stuck to your skin. Yes, Rake and Ruin nods towards debauchery, but it’s the smell of the bonfire that really holds true."
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is a scent for close quarters and low light, where smoke can hang in the air and the wearer’s presence arrives before the person does. It suits a room with wood, leather and a little disorder in it, projecting a hard, charismatic edge rather than softness.
How to wear
Best in cool weather, especially when the air can carry its smoke and juniper without flattening them. Apply lightly at first: one or two sprays are enough for strong diffusion, and more can make the composition feel dense. On skin it turns leathery and resinous; in the air it reads as dry smoke, bonfire ash and aromatic wood.
Who it’s for
For lovers of smoky, leathery, aromatic fragrances with a rough, historical character. It will appeal to those who enjoy gin-like juniper, tarry woods, incense-adjacent smoke and compositions that feel dark, dry and a little untamed.
Release year
2018
The nose
Julie Dunkley is the nose behind Rake & Ruin, a perfumer associated with bold, textural compositions that lean into smoke, woods and unusual atmospheric effects. In this fragrance, her style reads clearly: a dense, theatrical structure where aromatic botanicals and tarry materials are used to create tension rather than polish. Her work for Beaufort London suits the house’s taste for historical drama and rough-edged elegance. Rake & Ruin shows her ability to balance medicinal juniper, leathery darkness and a heavy smoke accord without losing the fragrance’s clarity or momentum.
Collaborators
Leo Crabtree, Beaufort London’s founder, shaped the brand’s historical and smoky creative direction, and the Revenants concept that frames the fragrance. Julie Dunkley translated that brief into a composition built around gin botanicals, smoke and leather, turning the idea of a 17th-century rake into a wearable scent.
Beaufort’s story
Beaufort London is a British niche house drawn to maritime history, smoke, weather and the darker edges of national storytelling. Its fragrances are deliberately atmospheric and often confrontational, using unusual materials and strong contrasts to evoke memory, vice and ghostly scenes rather than polished prettiness.
Rake and Ruin’s concept
Rake and Ruin is the second chapter in Beaufort’s Revenants series, inspired by William Hogarth’s The Rake’s Progress and the figure of the rakehell: a reckless aristocrat associated with drink, gambling and moral collapse. The scent channels gin-soaked London through smoke, juniper and woods, with the idea of ruin folded into the mood of debauchery and fire.
Extra info
Rake and Ruin is part of Beaufort’s Revenants collection and was released as its second chapter. The house also developed Beaufort Spirit, a gin project linked to the fragrance’s botanical theme. The scent is often described as liquid smoke.
Rake and Ruin, the second chapter in Beaufort’s revenants series. The story is not about a particular historical figure but rather it’s about a typical character from 17th century: a rake, short for rakehell or hell raiser (a man, an aristocrat who was habituated to immoral conduct, womanizing, debauchery, drinking, gambling, duels and so on).
Ruin as in “mother’s ruin” which was a nick name for gin in 18th century. Etymologists still debate as to the origins of this expression.
So from this new perfume one can expect debaucherous smoke, gunpowder, a bouquet of aromatic herbs, fresh woods, leather and animalic vibes.
***
The Sniff on Rake and Ruin:
"This is liquid smoke in a scent. Think whisky by a bonfire, think winter nights burning twigs in the garden, think cordite and excitement and peeling your clothes off afterwards to find that the smell of the fire’s breath has stuck to your skin. Yes, Rake and Ruin nods towards debauchery, but it’s the smell of the bonfire that really holds true."
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is a scent for close quarters and low light, where smoke can hang in the air and the wearer’s presence arrives before the person does. It suits a room with wood, leather and a little disorder in it, projecting a hard, charismatic edge rather than softness.
How to wear
Best in cool weather, especially when the air can carry its smoke and juniper without flattening them. Apply lightly at first: one or two sprays are enough for strong diffusion, and more can make the composition feel dense. On skin it turns leathery and resinous; in the air it reads as dry smoke, bonfire ash and aromatic wood.
Who it’s for
For lovers of smoky, leathery, aromatic fragrances with a rough, historical character. It will appeal to those who enjoy gin-like juniper, tarry woods, incense-adjacent smoke and compositions that feel dark, dry and a little untamed.
Release year
2018
The nose
Julie Dunkley is the nose behind Rake & Ruin, a perfumer associated with bold, textural compositions that lean into smoke, woods and unusual atmospheric effects. In this fragrance, her style reads clearly: a dense, theatrical structure where aromatic botanicals and tarry materials are used to create tension rather than polish. Her work for Beaufort London suits the house’s taste for historical drama and rough-edged elegance. Rake & Ruin shows her ability to balance medicinal juniper, leathery darkness and a heavy smoke accord without losing the fragrance’s clarity or momentum.
Collaborators
Leo Crabtree, Beaufort London’s founder, shaped the brand’s historical and smoky creative direction, and the Revenants concept that frames the fragrance. Julie Dunkley translated that brief into a composition built around gin botanicals, smoke and leather, turning the idea of a 17th-century rake into a wearable scent.
Beaufort’s story
Beaufort London is a British niche house drawn to maritime history, smoke, weather and the darker edges of national storytelling. Its fragrances are deliberately atmospheric and often confrontational, using unusual materials and strong contrasts to evoke memory, vice and ghostly scenes rather than polished prettiness.
Rake and Ruin’s concept
Rake and Ruin is the second chapter in Beaufort’s Revenants series, inspired by William Hogarth’s The Rake’s Progress and the figure of the rakehell: a reckless aristocrat associated with drink, gambling and moral collapse. The scent channels gin-soaked London through smoke, juniper and woods, with the idea of ruin folded into the mood of debauchery and fire.
Extra info
Rake and Ruin is part of Beaufort’s Revenants collection and was released as its second chapter. The house also developed Beaufort Spirit, a gin project linked to the fragrance’s botanical theme. The scent is often described as liquid smoke.