Creating The Iconic Scent Of 4711 Cologne: A Step-By-Step Guide

4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been in production since at least 1799. The original formula has been used for over 200 years, and the brand has since expanded to include other perfumes and products.

The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction.

The fragrance was created by Italian Johann Maria Farina, who named it Eau de Cologne after his new home. In 1792, a Carthusian monk gave the secret recipe for the fragrance to merchant Wilhelm Mülhens as a wedding gift. Mülhens then founded a small factory at Cologne's Glockengasse and established the first Eau de Cologne as a remedy.

The fragrance has top notes of lemon, bergamot, and orange, with middle notes of lavender and rosemary, and base notes of neroli and petitgrain.

History of 4711

4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne, first created in 1792. The brand has been in production since at least 1799 and is allowed to use the geographical indication 'Original Eau de Cologne'.

The story of 4711 begins with a wedding gift. In October 1792, merchant Wilhelm Mülhens (or Muelhens) received a secret recipe for a type of 'miracle water' intended for both internal and external use. Soon after, he opened a small factory in Cologne's Glockengasse ('Clock Tower Square') and marketed his miracle water as a health drink, served neat or mixed with wine.

In 1794, the French military occupied the city of Cologne. A French commander ordered that all houses in the city be numbered. The place where the perfume was manufactured was numbered 4711, and the name has stuck ever since.

In 1810, Napoleon decreed that all internal medicines must list their ingredients. Not wanting to disclose his secret recipe, Muelhens began marketing his miracle water as a fragrance.

In 1820, Peter Heinrich Molanus designed the hexagonal, upright bottle still used today. In 1875, Ferdinand Muelhens (Wilhelm's grandson) registered 4711 as a brand, and the modern logo was created. The Muelhens family finalised the design in 1900, and it hasn't changed since.

In the 20th century, the brand expanded its product line, introducing perfumes, cosmetics, hair care, and skin care. In 1921, they launched Tosca, a perfume for women, which became a worldwide bestseller. In the 1930s, the fragrance offerings for men and women grew, with the introduction of Troika, Sparta, Shahi, Sir, and Carat.

During World War II, the 4711 headquarters in Cologne were destroyed. However, the brand persevered, and in the 1950s, they erected the 'Blue and Gold Building' and a new manufacturing plant. They also expanded globally, with new bottling plants in Japan, Guatemala, and Egypt.

In the 21st century, 4711 has shifted to a more artistic and theoretical approach to its products, launching new fragrances and collections.

Ingredients and scent

The original 4711 Eau de Cologne is a citrus aromatic fragrance for men and women, with top notes of lemon, bergamot and orange; middle notes of lavender and rosemary; and base notes of neroli and petitgrain. It has a comforting effect on the body and mind, with the citrus notes of lemon, bergamot and orange helping to revitalise, the lavender and rosemary aiding relaxation, and the neroli and petitgrain creating a positive mood.

The original formula was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, who received the recipe as a wedding gift. The fragrance was initially marketed as a health drink, but when Napoleon decreed that all recipes for medications intended for internal use must publicly list their ingredients, Muelhens began to market his miracle water as a fragrance.

The original 4711 Eau de Cologne contains the following ingredients:

• Alcohol
• Water (Aqua)
• Fragrance (Parfum)
• Limonene
• Linalool
• Geraniol
• Citral
• Hydroxycitronellal
• Citronellol

How to apply

4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been in production since at least 1799. It is characterised by its refreshing, vitalising, and calming properties, achieved through a blend of citrus and herbal notes. The fragrance is fleeting, lasting only around 20 minutes on the skin, but its low price point makes liberal reapplication easy and affordable.

Application Methods

4711 is available as both a spray and a splash. The spray is best for direct application to the skin, while the splash can be poured into the hands and applied to the neck and temples.

Application Areas

4711 can be applied to the skin, clothing, hair, and even household fabrics such as towels and linens. It is ideal for use after a shower or bath, as a pick-me-up throughout the day, or to freshen up a room.

Application Amount

Due to its fleeting nature, 4711 can be applied liberally without overwhelming the wearer or those around them. It is safe to reapply as often as desired.

Pairing

4711 is a versatile fragrance that can be worn alone or layered with other fragrances. It pairs particularly well with musk, as the deep, earthy notes of musk complement the bright, citrusy notes of 4711.

Storage and Transport

For easy transport, 4711 can be decanted into smaller bottles or atomisers. It should be stored at room temperature.

Flankers

In perfumery, a flanker is a newly created perfume that shares some attributes of an already existing perfume. These attributes may be the name, packaging, or notes of the existing fragrance.

Creating a flanker is not an easy exercise. The perfumer must preserve the spirit and the original universe of the perfume while giving it a different angle and orienting the composition in a new olfactory direction.

• Dior's Poison (1985) was followed by flankers Tendre Poison (1994), Hypnotic Poison (1998), Pure Poison (2004), Midnight Poison (2007), and Poison Girl (2016).
• Issey Miyake's L'eau d'Issey (1992) was followed by L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme (1994) and L'Eau d'Issey Florale (2011).
• Jimmy Choo's Jimmy Choo (2011) was supplemented by the flanker Exotic (2013).
• Paco Rabanne's 1 Million (2008) was followed by a flanker for women, Lady Million (2010).

Similar fragrances

• Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino
• Guerlain's Eau de Cologne Imperiale
• Askett & English Essential
• Askett & English Absolute
• Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa
• Armani Eau Pour Homme
• Armani Code Sport Athlete
• Moschino Friends Men
• Rochas Eau de Rochas
• Bond's Eau de NY
• Dior's Escale e Portofino
• Annick Goutal's Eau d'Hadrien
• Guerlain's Eau de Guerlain
• Guerlain's Eau de Cologne du Coq
• John Varvatos Artisan
• Acqua di Parma's Acqua di Parma Colonia

Frequently asked questions