4711 Original Eau de Cologne by 4711

A timeless cologne.

Review of 4711 – Eternity in a fragrance. 4711 isn’t just a perfume; it’s a living testament to history, the first classic that has stood the test of time with the dignity of a poem passed down through generations. A German marvel with Italian roots, it encapsulates the perfect alchemy of life, sun, rain, sea, and countryside in an accord that seems to hold the world. I remember Imperia, that little town in Liguria, where one morning in May I found myself alone in a house facing the sea. The air was thick with lemon trees and wet neroli mingling with the breeze. It was as if nature had composed its own symphony: water falling, the sea murmuring, and that citrus scent rising with the wind. 4711 is that: a suspended moment, a dialogue between memory and eternity. It’s the scent of refined nostalgia, wealth without ostentation, and the quiet philosophy of simplicity. Every note reminds us that beauty lies in the intimate: solitude by the sea, rain on lemons, an open horizon. A fragrance that doesn’t just perfume but thinks, remembers, and dreams. 4711 is life itself distilled into drops of eternity.

Recently, I bought a 4711 Remix blindly after seeing a review. Before leaving the perfumerie, I asked to try the original, and what a pleasant surprise… it was exquisite. It instantly transported me back to my childhood in Adrogué, to the orange blossoms flooding the gardens in spring. When I got home and opened the other bottle, I realised I didn’t like it at all, so I went back for the original. If I have to say something, the longevity isn’t great, but in my case, and I believe in many others’, I use it after a bath for personal enjoyment. I also apply it before going to sleep. There can’t be a bottle of 4711 missing from my collection. A true marvel.

Its perfection lies in simplicity: before bed, upon waking, after a shower, or at any moment you wish, it makes your stress disappear. Just unscrew it, apply it, and enjoy.

Good afternoon, everyone. Whoever enters the comment wall of this beautiful, celebrated, and absolutely classic fragrance to criticise it, complain about its performance, or say it simply smells old, with all due respect, knows nothing about perfume history. A classic cologne, which, in my opinion, we cannot afford not to own at least once in our lives. Whoever smells this marvel is breathing history. Nothing more to add. Warm regards.

A citrusy and sweet opening from the orange, a green middle with lavender and rosemary, and an aromatic finish with neroli. Short projection of 1-2 hours and a duration of around three hours. Fresh and timeless, this defines the classic German scent. It reminds me of Nenuco but evolved, more floral and green. Versatile for any occasion, though it shines in the heat. Affordable and fulfils its purpose without disappointing.

It reminds me of Nenuco, my childhood, and that table where my mum changed my nappies, now in a dusty attic but which once smelled citrusy, fresh and floral. The whole room smells like this; that is ‘smelling of baby’ after the bath. Simple but addictive, unisex, classic, adorable, historical, refreshing, explosive and childish. The bottle with the gold/green sticker and red cap is an icon, just like Chanel’s. It has air with Briseis’ Ragazza, ideal for home, intimacy or bed. No derivative equals the original. This Wilhelm Muelhens was a genius; what a gift he left humanity! 9/10.

I share this find; it is a classic. My neighbours discarded it halfway through the year, but I saw it sealed in a box with cellophane and a seal, so I took it. I took my time to open and try it; it was like uncapping peace and tranquillity. It smells like afternoons on holiday at my grandmother’s house (I think she alternated her sophisticated perfumes with this cologne). This summer I will alternate it with Light Blue, Mango Rosa, Coco, Pie White and CK One. What do you use with this heat? Does it evoke anything for you?

While many perfumes imitate others, 4711 and Jean Marie Farina by Roger & Gallet are copies of the 1709 COLOGNE WATER. Today both are owned by large conglomerates which sadly lowered the quality of ingredients, so the trail is very low.

A bottle of this ‘Colony Water par excellence’ arrived and surprised me. But if it is the Hay of Pravia of old, in Spain ‘the scent of my home’ always, much cheaper. Synthetic citrus somewhat potent and bulk lavender. I expected much more after the comments.

LADIES WHO DO TOURISM IN BOOTS: What is the best of travelling? Art, architecture, gastronomy… but also consumerism. Wherever I go, I am searching. In Paris, in Oporto, in London… and from my favourite city, London, I always end up in one more seen than a comic book: Boots! 🫣😂 Don’t tell me why, nor do I know. I am still intrigued by the free sale of Tylenol in doses for pygmies. The point is that in this shop I managed to get this classic cologne for a few pounds in aerosol format (opaque metal cylinder, like deodorant but smaller for the handbag). It had a nozzle that made the freshness penetrate by osmosis into every pore. A real infusion of energy to enjoy right and left as a body spray, although brief. I have not found it again; no matter how much I search, that format is a rare bird. If anyone spots it, let me know! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

4711 Original Eau de Cologne: a marvel, my all-time favourite cologne. I always use it straight after a shower: refreshing, clean, pure. It envelops you in its scent for a short time, but you enjoy it intensely in that moment. I don’t know if you can imagine how relaxing it is to apply it when you are about to rest and sleep after a bath. It is a daily companion that gives me peace and tranquility. It will remain an icon of perfumery for centuries. Best regards.

I think there is not much to say about a cologne that is 230 years old, is there? The cologne that Napoleon I shared with his beloved Josephine. It is not a fragrance to dazzle. It is simply an eau de cologne for after a bath. And it is delicious.

I haven’t told you that I compared it with Neroli Portofino. The truth is they are 90% identical. Neroli Portofino has a bit more orange and is slightly less citrusy due to the musk, but the rest is the same. At first sniff I thought ‘this is 4711’.

A classic. When I read that they describe a perfume as old-fashioned I wonder what they will think of this aroma that is more than 230 years old, will it smell like a museum? Well, if it is from a museum, it was created in the midst of the fervour of the French Revolution, when there were many changes of all kinds, regarding fashion, men stopped using makeup, lace, high heels; women’s clothing became temporarily simpler, an aroma like this was ideal for those changes. I can already imagine the dandies with their immaculate linen handkerchiefs scented with this aroma or the ladies with a bottle in their dressing table; that is the effect of a work of art, it becomes timeless. Now you can get small bottles that look like mini canteens to carry in your bag or backpack, I bought one recently, to be able to reapply given that its longevity is a maiden’s sigh or what it takes to send an email, that is, a few brief minutes. Fresh, unisex, ageless, accessible, the great-grandfather of CK One, created 202 years later.