English Leather Vs Original: What's The Difference?

English Leather by Dana is a men's cologne that was first introduced in 1949. The scent was originally created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company and was called Russian Leather due to its similarity to the scent used by Russian saddlers to tan leather. However, when it was introduced in the United States, the name was changed to English Leather due to the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Over the years, the fragrance has undergone reformulations and changes in ownership, with the company Dana taking over in 1996. The current version of English Leather has a strong citrusy opening and a warm leather dry-down, while the vintage version is said to have a more natural and less overpowering scent. Some people believe that the vintage version is superior in terms of projection, longevity, and sillage. The fragrance has a rich and sensual scent that is often associated with masculinity and boldness.

Top notes

The top notes of English Leather by Dana are Italian Bergamot and Kaffir Lime. The scent was originally created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company and was called "Russian Leather" due to its similarity to the scent used by Russian saddlers to tan leather. When the scent was introduced in the United States in 1949, it was renamed "English Leather" due to the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

The top notes of Italian Bergamot and Kaffir Lime are described as crisp and vibrant, providing a fresh and citrusy opening to the fragrance. These notes combine to create a classic barbershop scent that is both natural and never overpowering. The Italian Bergamot adds a bright, tart, and citrusy touch, while the Kaffir Lime provides a unique and subtle twist.

The top notes of English Leather set the stage for the heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver, which are followed by the base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk. Together, these notes create a rich, sensual, and masculine scent that has become a signature fragrance for those who dare to express their unique style.

The top notes of English Leather by Dana are a crucial part of the fragrance's overall appeal, providing a fresh and vibrant opening that combines with the subsequent notes to create a lasting and memorable scent.

Heart notes

The heart notes of English Leather by Dana are leather, oakmoss, and vetiver.

The heart notes are the dominant scent profile of a fragrance. They emerge once the top notes evaporate, forming the core of the cologne. The heart notes of English Leather are a blend of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver.

Leather is a classic fragrance note, often described as a warm, rich, and animalistic scent. Oakmoss, derived from a type of lichen, adds a woody, earthy, and slightly sweet aroma to the cologne. Vetiver, a grass native to India, provides a fresh, earthy, and slightly spicy scent.

The combination of these heart notes creates a robust and masculine fragrance, with a subtle sweetness and a distinct leather signature.

Base notes

The base notes of English Leather are sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk. The scent is described as "classic and authentically masculine" and "rich and sensual". It is the signature fragrance for those bold enough to express their own unique style.

The base notes of the original English Leather, created in the 1930s, were likely similar. The fragrance was originally called "Russian Leather" because the scent was similar to what Russian saddlers used to tan leather. However, when it was introduced in the United States in 1949, the name was changed to "English Leather" due to the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Original vs modern formulation

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

Over the years, the formulation has changed hands and been reformulated several times. The MEM Company sold English Leather to Dana, and the current formulation is produced by Dana Classic Fragrances.

The original formulation is described as having a strong citrus opening with a warm leather dry-down. The current formulation is described as having a strong citrus opening that dries down to a soapy, powdery, or synthetic scent. The modern formulation is also described as having less longevity and projection than the original.

The original formulation is highly sought after by fragrance enthusiasts, and some reviewers claim that the current formulation cannot compare to the original. However, the current formulation is still well-liked and considered a good value for the price.

Vintage English Leather

English Leather is a men's cologne that 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 top notes of the cologne include Italian bergamot and kaffir lime, with heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver. The base notes are sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk.

The cologne has been described as a "rich, sensual scent" and the "signature fragrance for those bold enough to express their own unique style". It has a long-lasting scent and is best suited for travel or any situation where one wants to stand out.

Over the years, the formulation of English Leather has changed hands and been reformulated several times. The MEM Company sold English Leather to Dana, and the current formulation by Dana is considered inferior to the original MEM version. The modern Dana version is said to smell more citrusy, while the MEM version is more rustic. The modern Dana version also has weaker projection, longevity, and sillage compared to the MEM version.

Some reviewers have noted that the current Dana version of English Leather smells cheap and synthetic, while others have positive associations with the scent, finding it to be pleasant and well-liked.

Overall, English Leather is a classic, masculine cologne with a rich history that has undergone several reformulations, resulting in notable differences between the original MEM version and the modern Dana version.

Frequently asked questions