English Leather Lime (1966)
by Dana (orig. by Mem Company)

I feel a little disappointed that they discontinued this one, but it's so weak that I won't be devastated. Once I put a fair amount on, did a full day of heavy physical labor in the sun, and realized that I wasn't smelling it at all, which really shocked me given the circumstances. Right out of the splash bottle it smells great, like the original with a good dose of an appealing but "blunted" or dulled lime, like when the creaminess of a key lime pie counters some of the tartness. I think at the time they were afraid or unable to make the lime as sharp as they might today, but that also means it doesn't smell as artificial as it might. If it were stronger I'd keep it.

English Leather Lime is very much a 1960s American splash cologne.

On initial application, ELL has much of the same "just-opened can of Coca-Cola" accord that Eau d'Hermes has. Whether it's natural lime oil or not, that tap of lime quickly fades, as it was intended to. That's followed up with a bright spice note that reminds me of cumin more than sage, over a wood/musks base. One source listed cedar as a note, but I'm again I'm reminded far more of a synthetic sandalwood than Iso-E or No.2 pencils.

Thumbs up because English Leather Lime still is a nice fragrance that's easy on my nose.

Mmmm, I agree, disinfectant and pine-o-clean come to mind...Also, perhaps "Dettol" anti-septice liquid? Not very "Lime-y". I expected this to be like the English Leather (a perfectly fine, under-stated and under-rated men splash - I say splash because the spray is unpleasant, with too much aerosol), but with a Lime twist to it.

I just can't handle this...If you're a struggling univeristy student, then maybe this will do until you get your degree and a decent earning.

Love the original though!

Now this is a truly masculine cologne! Unfortunately, the first thing that came to mind as I opened the bottle was pine detergent. A very smooth, refreshing, expensive / well blended detergent but pine detergent all the same.
As the cologne warms on the skin this changes and it mellows into a very earthy, woody leather scent which is delightfully masculine, without being butch. I get impressions of the great outdoors: moss, woods, camp fires and a healthy male body shaped and honed by the elements. This cologne reminds me of the smoke, tobacco and leather of Gres Cabochard but without the sweet florals to soften and confuse matters. More unisex in dry down but still assertive. English Leather Lime is a very sexy well-crafted cologne. I would definitely find myself trying to get closer to a man who smelt like this (once the top notes were gone)…yum!

Citrus was big the year this came out—the year of the introduction of Old Spice Fresh Lime, Aqua Velva Lime, and Dior’s Eau Sauvage. In my group, the contest was between English Leather Lime and Old Spice Fresh Lime. (Few of us had heard of Eau Sauvage then—sounded French and therefore, unattainable.) Most guys felt that Fresh Lime was much better than English Leather Lime, but this was sometimes arguable because English Leather was “upscale” and Old Spice was considered “common.” I sided with the Old Spice Fresh Lime side, and my failing memory still agrees. Those were simpler days when cologne discussions lasted about three seconds.

Oh dear! Wear it and wince! I don't mean to sound snooty about this because there are more than a few so-called 'drugstore fragrances' - the fresh and refined Tabac, that early streetcorner dandy's scent Blue Stratos, Victor's poem of mysterious pine Acqua di Selva, Puig's smooth and pleasant Agua Lavanda - that put many more expensive scents to shame. Unfortunately, Dana's English Leather Lime does not appear to be among their number: it's too much like disinfectant, cheap disinfectant at that. The original English Leather smells rather better to my nose than this.