Reviews of 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser (1792)
by 4711 (orig. by Muelhens)

There is something truly reassuring about 4711. Splash it all over your face and neck and you feel an instant boost of sheer goodness. Yes, it goes quickly. But it is a small price to pay for enjoying the original eau de cologne, as far as I am concerned. I hope 4711 remains in production for a long long time.

By the way, a Thai friend of mine told me that 4711 is used as a deodorizer in the public buses in his country!

I revisited this again and know why this is such a classic. Why I always neglect this gem and go for the Guerlain Imperiale is beyond me - this is just as good and very similar. Just put this on after a workout and all is good, just make sure you have plenty and/or something else to wear with it because it is great, but fleeting. I simply decanted some into a small diffuser to freshen up whenever. Awesome.

I wasn't even going to review "4711" - but after seeing so many puzzlingly negative reviews I just HAD to.
And frankly, reading some of the those reviews I started to wonder whether those who didn't like it - and some even cited "synthetic" tones (?) - actually smelled the real thing... (I hear there ARE counterfeit "4711" around.)

And what relevance has the price have? A few of the most disgusting concoctions I've ever smelled were listed (quite accurately) among the most expensive perfumes in history.

And speaking of history... Yes, it was made in the 18th century - which to me, a history lover, is a great plus (you're actually accessing that TIME through the limbic system!) - but it's every bit as modern as any perfume today, and MUCH more than any of the fin-de-siecle perfumes (L'Origan, Apres l'Ondee etc. - not to mention the Art Deco-era scents like Je Reviens and such).

The reason why it is "modern" is its relatively simple but powerfully uplifting composition of citrus notes, notably bergamot. Which, evidently, is also the reason why it is so short-lived. But, see, "4711" wasn't meant to be a long-lasting fragrance. It was made at a time when bathing was not a part of everyday (or even every week) toilette, to rub the skin of the body and to revive the spirits after a long night or after a hefty meal - as many times as required.

And that it did. It did it so well that it became the craze even in an era that was in many respects - notably sensorially - much, MUCH more sophisticated than the often sensually depleted everyday of many people living today (and by that I mean people in wealthy countries!). Back then, as today, people simply appreciated the freshness and the immediate uplifting effect of the smell of sundry citrus peel. No flowers, no honey, no (God forbid!) vanilla or musk: just a basket of glorious, freshly peeled citrus fruit.

It's a fresh and clean, elegant but unpretentious smell. On a hot and sticky summer day, nothing will revive your spirits better than this old babe. And - just like a true seductress - it parts company with you much to soon. :)
But you can be sure it'll never overwhelm you with its presence; and you'll never grow tired of it - even if you carry it around in your handbag, as your secret friend and pick-me-up.
(Napoleon allegedly went through several CASES of it during each of his campaigns. He not only used it on the skin but constantly sucked sugar cubes imbued with it, allegedly to refresh the acuity of his mind. but then, he always was a sucker for scents... :))

If you want to make it last longer, you can try rubbing some on the hairline (on the temples and where the back of the head meets the neck).

Another invaluable use for "4711" is that it can serve as an ideal base for new "fresh" scents. (I have achieved some truly memorable results by adding quantities of certain perfumes - not to mention pure essential oils.)

Finally, if you don't like it, nobody could - or, indeed, should - convince you otherwise.
But it would be a good idea to give it another try, preferably from a different source.

As I plan to reorganize my home this weekend, shred papers and mop the floors I'll be talking a bath or two and a splashing some of this on for fun to keep cool since it's been quite hot here in New York lately. I love the fragrance and it's cooling and refreshing and I couldn't care if it created in 1792 or 1192, it smells good to me.

Clean! All the things people criticize about this, are the things I like. It's fleeting, not that strong, and old-fashioned: lovely! And I also love that all the scented products, like body lotion, actually smell powerfully of the cologne, unlike many other perfume's matching products. All perfume lovers should get to know this treat, even if only for the link it provides to the past. And before the new aromachemical-regulations force them to change it!

I don't Know much about fragances, but i love it, just LOVE it. It remind me the Roger & Gallet "Jean MArie Farina" (Wich is also one of my favorite fragances)

This is meant to be a refreshing cologne and it does the job quite well. No more promises..

I cannot understand people that criticize this fragrance. Really, what do you expect? It was made in 1792... and I would like to think that fragrances have evolved since then. Yes, it is monochromatic, yes it is not subtle, or diverse, or not complex etc etc. However, it is fresh, pleasant and citrusy/herby. Yes, it does smell like your grandmother, but guess what, it smells like your great-grandmother, too and so on... It is not an old woman/man scent - it is a classic and it is part of the history of perfumes. And for this it gets thumbs up!

I would be suprised if you would offend any one while wearing it. Once belived to help cure a cold, it does wonders for a stress headache due to its bergamot content. I keep mine in my medicine chest.

I was prepared to be disappointed by Echt Kölnisch Wasser due to people's underwhelmed response to this old formula from 1792. Happy I was, when I tried it for the first time. Sure, it doesn't hold onto its citrus very long compared to the new aromachemicals, but it smells unique. First, a splash of lemon and neroli with a breath of rosemary, as much woody as citrusy. Ultra-clean, clear, and refreshing. What follows can only be described as an experience: a fluffy, white, terry-cloth towel steamed with citrus and herbs, wrapped on your face as you sit in a barber's chair. You smell the shaving cream. You smell the actual towel. is the precursor to an entire masculine fragrance genre. The progeny of Echt Kölnisch Wasser became stronger and more complex as they evolved, ending in such beauties as Etro Shaal Nur, and a host other lemon, lavender, and herbal beauties. Here is the papa of them all.

I first came across 4711 when I was about 3 or 4 years old. Back in those days, the kids at my kindergarten were told to bring a handkerchief to school everday. I suppose it was being used to wipe our dirty hands and dripings. Anyway, my grandmother sprinkled 4711 or another local made floral water / cologne onto my handky to make it smell nicer. Ever since then I have developed an intimate relationship and feelings towards 4711. It is a fleeting scent and probably only last for 30 minutes on my skin. In recent months, I have been reintroduced to it again by a basenoter. She said 4711 is the best remedy when you have a hangover (for external use only). I swear by it and it does have a slight up-lifting effect.

This was my first fragrance, when I was a little girl. I used to dab it oh, so delicately behind my ears and pretend to be all grown up. Lovely, clean fresh fragrance, I can still smell it now just by thinking about it. I had no idea it had originated so very long ago!

Its fleeting, its sharp, its dated, its the fragrance of my 93 year old German grandmother shortly before she passed. But thats not all bad. It was pretty good while it lasted (on her anyway).
Oma, being a classy lady, preferred the Farina original when she lived in Germany, but when she couldn't easily find that in the US, she switched to 4711 as the next best thing.
I know its technically unisex, but I believe just barely so. I do know masculine men who use it, but to me the associations are too feminine.

4711 is one of my absolute, all-time favorites. Come warm weather, this is my default scent. A perfect combination of bergamont, other citrus, and rose/floral with hust a touch of woody/spice. It smells to me like sparkles in a bottle. My daughter loves it, too.

A fresh lemony scent with quite a bit of history. I mainly use it when working out...the body heat seems to renergise 4711's sillage and longevity, which arent great. However for its price, it is great value - by a large 10 Oz. flacon (which can be had for around 15 bucks) and splash liberally when doing housework, working out, etc :D

This scent is class and panacea in a bottle. My mother and her mother both wear this fragrance and i love that they love it. Pefumery is the artistic side of chemistry, it is all about proportions and imagination and this perfume water is the perfect exemplar. A precise measure of citrus, rose, woods and musk; it is a masterpiece of art and chemistry.

I note that other reviewers use the word "happy" to describe how they feel when using 4711, and I agree. It's extremely inexpensive--especially compared to Guerlain Imperiale--and is the sort of fragrance one can splash on liberally after a shave. True, it doesn't last long, but the first splash is a sparkling delight. A true classic; I wouldn't be without it, ever.

A gurantee of qualty as old/timeless and as decisive like Napoleon, one of its most famous wearers, himself. Other famous clients included Beethoven, Wagner, Goethe and Liberace. This truly timeless scent is still fascinating. Simply, yet elegantly tailored, the few basic ingredients show what an immense potential plain ingredients like citrus fruits, lavender and Neroli can reveal if used properly and in right proportions. This scent was, i think, the first masculine fragrance ever i almost involuntarily connected(like Proust's memories of scents) with tasteful elegance and luxury. It's simple and yet so perfect in its century old formula. Like a literary or artistic masterpiece it exceeds time and space due to the genius of its soothing and stylish freshness. Extremely versatile, suitable for all genders, ages, seasons or dress-codes due to its light, inconspicous stylishness. So discreet that it may be almost worn by those who are completely intolerant to fragrance yet want something so light that they might still smell good without being incommodated by their scent.
A perfect gift for any age group, any occasion, this historical document adds a touch of eternally fashionable elegance to the most common moments of everyday life.
Its easy recognizable yet innimitable notes are as crisp and sharp as in 1792- the magic and the high quality
remain unaltered in the face of time. While other scents failed, this veteran, this old gentleman is here to stay.

The scent that rekindled my interest in fragrances and led me in a roundabout way to Basenotes. I picked up a large bottle of 4711 for $1.00 at a variety store going-out-of-business sale, attracted to it first by knowing enough German to translate Echte Kolnisch Wasser as "The Original Cologne Water." At the price, what could I lose? I do love citrus fragrances, especially lemon, and that for me is what predominates in 4711. It certainly is, as others have said, light, refreshing although not particularly long-lasting. When I first put it on, it makes me feel more bright and alert and just generally happy. I think it well deserves its place as a classic because of its history alone, but it is an altogether pleasant scent well-fitted for day-time casual use. I have since purchased my second bottle, and I will almost certainly keep it as a regularly used favorite.

For a hot day, when everything else fails, i use this one and it makes me feel much better, happier and cleaner. The lemos is fresh and not really bitter. The middle notes round all the others out and the base notes are just as fresh. Too bad ti doesn´t last longer.Better splash it on yourself.

I love this fragrance and use it often when I want to feel instantly cool, clean, and fresh.
My grandmother had a bottle with a little roller ball applicator in the top. I had to good fortune to purchase mine at the 4711 premises.

I have seen that bottle and smelled that fragrance for over fifty years. My Grandmother had a large bottle on her dressing table - which only goes to prove that this fragrance is suitable for anyone regardless of sex or age. It's so refreshing and cooling.