1776 Russian Leather
by Elsha

This is one of my standby fragrances. It is a very comfortable and friendly leather of unexpected distinction that opens with a cinnamon and birch tar top that stays along for the dry down. The fragrance has pleasant, warm and ambery emanations once it opens up and develops. The birch remains but mixes with leathery musk. Always light for a leather, and smooth, it is persistent while it stays close to the skin. Part of its enduring charm is that an 8 oz splash bottle can be acquired for about $42 delivered from Sampters Mens Store: http://www.sampters.com/detail.php?item=91&categoryid=1

This is cheaper than buying directly from th Elsha site.

Sampters also carries the 4 oz bottle for half the price. And an after shave which I never bothered to try. Why buy any other variation that 8 oz in a substantial splash bottle that is pleasant to use at $42 delivered? One of the best buys in perfumery. This is not a cheap scent like so many small clothing store fragrances. Sampters also carries Lenel, and a number of other inexpensive fragrances of limited local men's store distribution.

Elsha 1776 is a flask of a different matter. It has been around for decades. It is very good, and an even better buy. Get some.

1st April, 2011.

Whenever we talk about leather scents, the fleeting and oft-distracting top notes are inconsequential unless they extend deeper into the fragrance. In the case of 1776 they don't, or at least not significantly, so let's dispense with the introductions and get to the heart of the matter: how's the leather?

Essentially this is a smoky birch tar smoothened over by some musky blend of woods and resins in the base. It feels assuredly masculine without resorting to macho over-posturing and I can see why it draws such a cult following. To sum it all in one word: SUAVE.

27th August, 2010.

Bright and right leather lovers' frag. Not as teutonic or sophisticated as Knize, nor as heavy as Royal English Leather, and available in terms of money (REL), or in the US (Knize) - lacking a current distributor. But this a great leather fragrance, and barring the other two, my "third" leather scent, but clearly a distinct leather unto it's own. Great fragrance done right!

20th June, 2009.

A nice fragrance at a great price! If only those two went together more often...

It's tenacious but light, a cinnamon and carnation vibe playing through the top notes until it settles down to warm, smooth ambery-leather base. Not like other "Russian" leathers on the market, in fact more of a distant cousin of Knize Ten, albeit much softer. The sillage is decent and the longevity is good, around ten hours.

This is especially good in warmer weather, when heavier leathers can get a bit sickly.

10th May, 2009.

This is a decent, reasonably priced leather fragrance. The opening is a bit sweeter than I like for a leather centered fragrance, but the dry down is quite pleasant, with smooth leather and ambery overtones.

29th April, 2009.

Since I've yet to try the Knize Ten and Creed's Royal English Leather, I'd at the moment rate this one 5 stars. The opening is balsamic, smoky yet fresh. I can feel the citrus hidden amongst the smoky cloud, enlivening this fine leather scent to a high degree. The mysterious feel shows up during its middle stage, gathered by the spicy notes and leather, which appear warm, smoky and reminds me of anything high-end. The scent lingers for hours, its base is musky and leathery, and a bit dirty IMO. Wear it if you want to feel luxury surrounding you.

7th February, 2009.