A Match for Matchabelli?
by Doctor Basenotes, 01 April 2004
"I just have one question and you may think I'm crazy! I have been searching for an after shave that was made in the 1970's. I have contacted the company itself who made this and so many more people and no one has had the courtesy to answer me. I am hoping maybe you can help since you are the expert here.
The maker is Prince Matchabelli. They made an after shave called "Matchabelli". My boyfriend has been searching for this in every place possible as I have. I don't think they make it anymore, but I am wondering if you know of any place that this might still be found. I will get a marriage proposal if I am lucky enough to find this, If I ever find this!
Well you are my last hope, If you make this possible for me, consider yourself invited to my wedding." Jessie
Doctor Basenotes Says: My darling Jessie! I certainly hope your boyfriend would propose to you regardless of whether he was wearing a certain Matchabelli scent. I'm my good friend Lionel would be interested if not, he's on his eighth marriage now. He collects wives I'm sure. Mind you, Lionel is a little on the hirsute side - I hope that will not turn you off him!
Back to your question. You are right - The scent has been discontinued. When the Prince Matchabelli company was acquired by Parfums de Coeur in 1993, they discontinued all of the old scents for men, including Hero and Matchabelli.
Even if they had kept producing it, it is unlikely that the current version would be anything like the original as the classic Matchabelli scents produced today (for example, Cachet and Wind Song) have been altered from their original scents.
You have three options:
- Find an old bottle of the scent: I've seen it on eBay -- if you bookmark this link, then you should be able to keep an eye on Matchabelli products on eBay with ease.
- Find a new boyfriend: May not be a popular choice, but it may be easier than finding a new bottle of Matchabelli.
- Find a new scent: Probably the preferred option. If I recall, the cologne was a leathery scent and contained notes of Bergamot, Carnation and Musk. Give Quorum, Aramis or Antaeus a try.
Good luck! 
About the author
Doctor Basenotes is our resident fragrance expert. After qualifying as a fragrance doctor he spent the next thirty years in the industry as a perfume-muse: perfumer's would be inspired just by the sight of him! What he doesn't know about fragrance is probably not worth knowing. Send him all of your cologne queries at doctor@basenotes.com
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From the Basenotes Fragrance Directory
The following fragrances and houses are mentioned in this article. (In order of appearance...)
 | Hero by Prince Matchabelli (1988). |
 | Matchabelli by Prince Matchabelli (1982). |
| Cachet by Prince Matchabelli (1970). |
| Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli (1952). |
 | Quorum by Antonio Puig (1982). |
 | Aramis by Aramis (1965). |
 | Antaeus by Chanel (1981). |
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