4711 Original Eau de Cologne by 4711

I am leaving this review even though it is not exactly about this cologne, which I love, but about what brands like 4711 do. They have held on to their classics for years, and suddenly, about five years ago, it seems they had a brainstorming session and launched all options at once without focusing on any, so they could fight amongst themselves and confuse the public. Then they quickly discontinue the ‘losers’. I worked in advertising for a newspaper and I believe I retain some insight, and I say these tactics are nefarious. In fact, here one can see the lack of reviews for these simultaneous launches, and the system does not work or build loyalty. In my opinion, they should bet on a single good fragrance, give it all possible support, and allow time for the public to get to know it, rather than pushing it the following year if they don’t meet short-term figures. Furthermore, they would launch quality bath and body care lines at good prices, visible in major perfumeries, nothing only online because what cannot be seen and tried physically seems not to exist. I just saw the expansion of 4711 in Maurer & Wirtz and was overwhelmed, and although I have seen their shower gel and deodorant on occasion, I miss their body milk (perhaps it exists, but I never saw it) that would give more trail and longevity, or an intense extract or eau de cologne to complete the line. On the contrary, none of the recent remixes has motivated me to try them, and I have the feeling that if someone were to tentatively review one tomorrow, it would already be too late to go and find it.

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.

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! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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.

4711 is one of the most valued essences in perfume history. It’s very old, and its chemistry is quite a mystery. Fresh yet fleeting, and truly perfect for summer. It brings very good vibes. It was my German grandmother’s favourite, and before she passed away, she gifted me a huge bottle that I still keep. You have to apply it several times a day, preferably after a shower. It offers good vibrations and a clean finish thanks to the neroli, bergamot, and its well-balanced citrus touches. It’s unisex but sits perfectly on men. You can use it to lift your spirits. It is and will be an eternal cologne.

@allan27880 Thanks for your reply; I will look for those fragrances you recommended. I’m sure I can try them at Arenal, Primor, or El Corte Inglés in my city. It’s not that I dislike trying new things, but life doesn’t give me all the options and the time I have. 😅 What most frustrates me is liking something, buying a bottle, and then finding it discontinued when I go to refill it, as happened with Roger & Gallet. There is so much to choose from, yet everything passes so quickly… I think this shows I am of the old school, after all, I am no longer a child 😉 Best wishes!

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?

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.

This fragrance allowed me to discover and fall in love with the neroli note, which I still seek today. I bought its 100ml bottle for a laughable price of 40 dollars; many might think it’s expensive, but with the local currency devaluation and the fact that any other trendy fragrance usually triples that amount, it’s a bargain. I use it as an aftershave lotion. I also carry a 3.5ml bottle with its atomiser when I go out.

Like all colognes, it doesn’t last long, but that’s the point: use it straight after a shower. Jeanne en Provence’s Neroli Intense smells very similar and is cheaper, plus it lasts longer as an eau de toilette. For me, 4711 has historical value and nothing more. It smells good, but I prefer a post-shower pharmacy cologne that’s much cheaper; they’re even available in 900ml bottles.

Glorious and iconic cologne. A composition revolving around petit grain, well surrounded by neroli and citrus. Clean, fresh, soapy and a delicious composition. Longevity and sillage are very scarce but we are talking about a refreshing eau de cologne available at very low prices. Personally I love it and I always have a bottle available after getting out of the shower.

The bottle is beautiful and attractive, its history and the celebrities who have used it such as Napoleon, Catherine the Great, or that it appeared in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But its scent smells old-fashioned. I don’t like it at all, I detest it. Much better to use Álvaro Gómez. It reminds me of a grandmother from the 70s.

A very well-known fragrance, similar to Nenuco and the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, with adequate performance for its price. It cannot be missing from a collection due to its history and bottle. It is citrusy, fresh, and pleasant, highly recommended if that is what you are looking for.

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.

@Ícara As the saying goes, life passes quickly, so we must enjoy it to the fullest. The perfume is the same: beauty is fleeting, and if one runs out, you seek another that makes you happy. It is all about that transience, about living like a breath.