Our take
What does Eau de Cologne smell like?
In 2007 Jacques Polge added an Eau de Cologne to Chanel's Les Exclusifs collection. It nods to the house's own history. Gabrielle Chanel had registered the name Eau de Chanel back in 1919 for a cologne that never came out. The idea follows the old cologne formula with Chanel's polish on top. Mandarin and bergamot open on a juicy zest that sits between sweet and bitter. Neroli arrives quickly and lets air in. Petitgrain adds the green smell of a leaf crushed between your fingers. Then the scent settles on dry cedar and clean musk, with a faint herbal edge. That base is what separates it from a drugstore 4711. It lasts longer and smells more expensive. Still, this stays pure freshness, with no heavy flower and no amber. A pleasure, if a quiet one.
When to wear it
After a shower on a June morning, sprayed generously on chest and wrists. Men and women can share it without a second thought.
It belongs to the Citrus, Aromatic family. Eau de Cologne is one of 45 creations by Chanel in our encyclopedia.
