The Fate Of English Leather: Discontinued Or Still Available?

English Leather cologne is a classic men's fragrance that has been on the market since the 1930s. Originally created by the Vienna-based MEM company, the scent was designed to smell like a WWII leather bomber jacket. Over the years, the fragrance has changed hands and formulations, with the current producer being Dana Classic Fragrances, who manufacture the cologne in China. While some long-time wearers of English Leather have expressed disappointment with the new formulation, others continue to enjoy its rich, sensual scent. As of late 2024, English Leather cologne by Dana is still available for purchase on Amazon and the official Dana Classic Fragrances website.

English Leather's scent profile

English Leather is a rich, sensual scent, first created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company. The scent was originally called "Russian Leather" due to its similarity to the scent used by Russian saddlers to tan leather. However, in 1949, the fragrance was introduced in the United States as "English Leather" due to the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

The top notes of English Leather include Italian bergamot and kaffir lime. The heart notes consist of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver, while the base notes are sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk.

The scent has been described as masculine, old-fashioned, pleasant, and well-liked by many. It is said to have positive associations and memories for some, with its citrus and leather notes working well with some people's body chemistry. The fragrance is considered suitable for special occasions and rural or cowboy settings.

The longevity of English Leather is moderate, with a civil projection. It has been described as a classic, timeless, and classy scent, with a strong masculine undertone.

Overall, English Leather is a well-loved fragrance that evokes memories and has stood the test of time.

The cologne's history

English Leather cologne was originally created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company. The scent was similar to what Russian saddlers used to tan leather, so it was originally called "Russian Leather". In 1949, the scent was introduced in the United States as "English Leather" because of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

The cologne is known for its rich, sensual scent, with top notes of Italian bergamot and kaffir lime, heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver, and base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk. It is considered a classic, masculine fragrance and has been described as long-lasting and good value for money.

Over the years, the formula for English Leather has changed hands and been altered. The MEM Company's original formula was designed to smell like a WWII leather bomber jacket. When the brand changed hands to Dana, the formula was altered, and many customers noticed a difference in the scent and colour of the cologne. Some customers disliked the new formula, finding it too chemical or metallic.

Despite the changes, English Leather remains a popular fragrance, with many loyal customers who have worn it for decades. It is available for purchase online and in drug stores, although there have been some concerns about supply interruptions and price increases in recent years.

Customer reviews

Some customers have also noted that the scent has changed over time and no longer smells like the original formula. One customer who used the cologne in the 1960s and 1970s said that the current formulation "has none of the leathery goodness of the old scent". Another customer who purchased a bottle in 2012 said that the scent has changed and is now "smoother" and "more mellow".

However, some customers still enjoy the new scent, with one customer stating that they "absolutely love" the scent and another saying that it is a "great casual everyday cologne".

In terms of longevity, opinions are also mixed. Some customers have said that the fragrance is "long-lasting", while others claim that it "doesn't last for more than an hour".

Overall, it seems that while some customers are happy with the current formulation of English Leather cologne, others are disappointed and long for the original scent to return.

Alternative fragrances

If you're looking for an alternative to English Leather cologne, here are some suggestions:

Similar fragrances

If you're looking for something similar, you could try other fragrances by Dana, such as British Sterling, which has notes of bergamot, petitgrain, lemon, mint leaf, Italian bergamot, lavender, geranium, leather, oakmoss, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, musk, amber, and cinnamon.

Alternatively, you could try Tabac Original by Mäurer & Wirtz, which has similar notes of citrus, aromatic woods, and mosses, with a leather signature.

Other leather fragrances

If you're looking for something different but want to retain the leather notes, you could try:

• Geo. F. Trumper Spanish Leather Cologne
• Alfred Dunhill Dunhill for Men
• Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel
• Jousset Parfums Hypnotic Leather
• Acqua Di Parma Colonia Leather
• Tom Ford Ombré Leather
• Dior Fahrenheit
• Knize Ten
• Trumper's Spanish Leather
• Dior Fahrenheit
• Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent
• Ferrari Uomo
• Paco Rabanne Pour Homme

Other classic men's fragrances

If you're looking for something completely different, you could try some other classic men's fragrances, such as:

• Brut by Fabergé
• Old Spice by Shulton Company
• Aqua Velva
• Clubman Pinaud
• Jade East
• British Sterling
• Canoe by Dana
• Tabu by Dana
• Love's by Dana
• Heaven Sent by Dana
• Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche
• Azzaro pour Homme by Azzaro
• Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene
• Terre d'Hermès by Hermès
• Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent
• Paco Rabanne Pour Homme by Paco Rabanne
• Zino Davidoff by Davidoff

The manufacturer, Dana Classic Fragrances

Dana Classic Fragrances, Inc. is the manufacturer of the English Leather cologne. The company was formally established in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 and has since created some of the most outstanding perfumes in the modern era.

English Leather was originally created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company. The scent was similar to what Russian saddlers used to tan leather, so it was originally called "Russian Leather". In 1949, the scent was introduced in the United States as "English Leather" because of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

The cologne features top notes of Italian bergamot and kaffir lime, heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver, and base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk. It is described as a classic, masculine scent with a rich, sensual fragrance.

English Leather by Dana has received mixed reviews. Some customers appreciate its quality, scent, and value for money, while others have expressed disappointment with the scent, longevity, and price. There have been comments that the current formulation by Dana differs from the original, with the recent fragrance lacking the leathery goodness of the old scent.

Despite some negative reviews, Dana Classic Fragrances, Inc. continues to sell English Leather cologne through its website and other retailers. The cologne is typically priced between $8 and $12 for an 8 oz bottle, although prices may vary depending on the retailer and market demand.

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