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Browsing by tag: classic cologne

Cologne Grand Siecle by Parfumerie Generale ~ fragrance review

Posted by Robin on 12 July 2006 15 Comments

Cologne Grand Siecle by Parfumerie Generale

Cologne Grand Siècle is no. 7 in the Parfumerie Generale line, which now comprises 15 fragrances. It was launched in 2005 and has notes of tangerine, bergamot, bitter orange, grapefruit, lemon, cardamom, herbs, ylang ylang, dry woods, vetiver and wheat.

I am very fond of classic colognes. The term cologne is now used somewhat generically to indicate any fragrance with a concentration that is less than an Eau de Toilette (usually that means less than 5%), but here I am referring to the descendants of the original, citrus-based Eau de Cologne first created in 1709 by Johann Maria Farina, an Italian perfumer who had settled in Cologne, Germany.

According to Parfumerie Generale, perfumer Pierre Guillaume limited his palette for Cologne Grand Siècle to natural, certified organic ingredients that would have been accessible in the 18th century…

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Comme des Garcons series 4: Cologne

Posted by Robin on 12 January 2006 17 Comments

Comme des Garcons cologne series

Comme des Garçons released Series 4: Cologne in 2002. Each of the three fragrances is a variation on the classic citrus-based cologne theme.

Anbar is the Arabic word for amber, and the fragrance has notes of amber, mandarin, orange blossom, lavender, clove and musk. It starts with bright citrus notes, and settles quickly into a mild blend with a whisper of dry orange blossom over pale amber undertones. It has a touch of spice, but overall, it is more bright than dark. The lasting power is fine considering the strength, and it is nicely done, but for the moment I am not captivated so I am setting my sample aside for another try in the summer…

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Online perfume reading

Posted by Robin on 25 February 2005 Leave a Comment

While floating around the internet last weekend, I found this article in the UK Observer in which the paper has Lyn Harris, the nose behind the Miller Harris line, create a bespoke fragrance called Observer Review. In addition to describing the process of creating a custom fragrance, the article has interesting asides on Roja Dove, the London perfume boutique Les Senteurs, and the marketing of perfume in general. And if you're feeling daring, you can even buy the perfume for a £100 donation to the Observer Charity Christmas Appeal.

And thanks to Karen for pointing out this article in the Toronto Star (link no longer working) about two contenders for the title of the “original” Eau de Cologne — Mulhens 4711 and Farina Eau de Cologne. Farina, created in 1709, claims to be the “world's first documented brand-name perfume”; Edwin Morris, in Scents of Time, agrees that Farina created the first Eau de Cologne…

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