4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799. It is allowed to use the geographical indication Original Eau de Cologne because of this. The brand has been expanded to various other perfumes and products besides the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has used the same formula for more than 200 years.
The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction.
The fragrance was created by Johann Maria Farina, an Italian living in Cologne, Germany, in the early 18th century. He named it Eau de Cologne (water from Cologne) after his new home. Over the next century, the fragrance became increasingly popular.
According to legend, on 8 October 1792, a Carthusian monk made a wedding gift for the merchant Wilhelm Mülhens: the secret recipe of a so-called aqua mirabilis, a miracle water for internal and external use. Mülhens then founded a small factory at Cologne's Glockengasse and established the first Eau de Cologne as a remedy.
The cologne has a citrus aromatic fragrance with top notes of lemon, bergamot, and orange; middle notes of lavender and rosemary; and base notes of neroli and petitgrain. It is marketed towards both men and women.
The cologne has received generally positive reviews, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Many customers have praised its refreshing and invigorating scent, as well as its affordability. However, some have noted that the scent does not last very long.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
--- | --- |
Price | Inexpensive |
Longevity | Short |
Sillage | Light |
Unisex | Yes |
Nostalgic | Yes |
Origin | Cologne, Germany |
Year Created | 1792 |
Notes | Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, Lavender, Rosemary, Neroli |
What You'll Learn
It's a unisex fragrance
4711 is a unisex fragrance that has adorned the wrists of men and women alike since the 18th century. It is a traditional German Eau de Cologne by Mäurer & Wirtz. The brand has been expanded to various other perfumes and products besides the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has used the same formula for more than 200 years.
The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction. The brand name was Eau de Cologne & Parfümerie Fabrik Glockengasse No. 4711 gegenüber der Pferdepost von Ferd. Mülhens in Köln am Rhein until 1990, when it was renamed Mülhens GmbH & Co. KG.
The original 4711 is a simple, sharp, and zesty fragrance with a touch of bitterness and peppery spice. It is a good, no-nonsense cologne that smells bracing and makes you feel clean and energized. It is perfect for hot summer days when you want something fresh. It is also great for bedtime or workouts.
The scent is said to be similar to Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, but 4711 is way cheaper. It has a citrus standard lasting power, but a couple of hours are plenty. It is one of the least expensive perfumes one can find on the market.
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It's been around for a long time
4711 has been around for a long time. It was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens and is one of the oldest Eau de Colognes in existence. It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte used eight quarts of cologne every month.
The name 4711 comes from the address of the original store in Cologne, Germany, which was assigned the number 4711 by the French military in 1794. The building is now a popular tourist attraction.
The brand has expanded to various other perfumes and products, but the original formula has remained the same for over 200 years.
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It's a traditional German Eau de Cologne
4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne by Mäurer & Wirtz. It has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799, and is allowed to use the geographical indication "Original Eau de Cologne". The brand has been expanded to various other perfumes and products besides the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has used the same formula for more than 200 years.
The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction.
The cologne was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, who received a secret recipe for an "aqua mirabilis", or "miracle water" intended for internal and external use, as a wedding gift. Muelhens then founded a small factory at Cologne's Glockengasse and established the first "Eau de Cologne" as a remedy.
The cologne has a simple, sharp, and zesty scent with a touch of bitterness and peppery spice. It includes notes of bergamot, lemon, orange, lavender, rosemary, and neroli. It is a unisex fragrance, and is perfect for hot weather, as it is meant to be splashed on with abandon rather than worn as a long-lasting perfume.
The Mäurer & Wirtz brand owns the formula for 4711, and while they have a number of different colognes, the one described here is the Original Eau de Cologne. It comes in a bottle adorned with an ornate sea-green and gold label.
The name 4711 comes from the address of the original store, which was assigned the number 4711 by French troops who occupied the city in 1794. The troops numbered all the houses in the city, and Muelhens' house was given the number 4711.
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It's a popular tourist attraction
The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction. The building is adorned with an ornate sea-green and gold label.
The 4711 store was founded in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, who received a secret recipe for an "aqua mirabilis" as a wedding gift. Muelhens opened a manufactory in the Glockengasse area of Cologne, Germany, and marketed his miracle water as a health drink served undiluted or mixed with wine. The name came about in part thanks to the French military occupation that began in 1794. Frustrated by the disorganized layout of the city, a French general had all the houses sequentially numbered. Muelhen’s house was given the number 4711, which has stuck with the brand ever since.
In 1810, Napoleon decreed that all recipes for medications intended for internal use publicly list their ingredients. Muelhens didn’t want to disclose his secret recipe, so he began to market his miracle water as solely a fragrance.
The 4711 store experienced a lot of growth in the 20th century. In 1921, they introduced Tosca, a perfume for women based around the newly-created concept of aldehydes—organic compounds formed by the oxidation of alcohol. It became one of the best-selling perfumes worldwide along with the iconic Chanel No. 5. Later in the 1920s, the company hired famous illustrator Lutz Ehrenberger for an advertising campaign. The women that Ehrenberger depicted in these ads were carefree bonnes vivantes who embodied the idea of the flapper girl of the era. However, many saw the ads as too scandalous, and 4711 ended the campaign when the Archbishop of Cologne involved himself.
The 1930s were an era of expansion for the brand. The fragrance offerings for men and women grew by five, with Troika in 1934, Sparta in 1934, Shahi in 1935, Sir in 1935, and Carat in 1938. 4711 also introduced some new products, such as cosmetics, hair care, and skin care, which focused on self-care and well-being.
The 4711 store's headquarters were destroyed during the American carpet bombing of Cologne in 1943 during the Second World War. Nearly 90 percent of the city was in ruins, including Glockengasse where the company was based. The manufacturing plant outside the city where the products were made was almost entirely destroyed, as well. The company didn't just give up on centuries of history after the destruction of their store, though. In the 1950s, the brand erected the "Blue and Gold Building" across from Cologne Cathedral, as well as a brand new manufacturing plant. The style and architecture of the building represented the new, innovative feeling of the era. New bottling plants were built in Japan, Guatemala, and Egypt in the same period, and 4711 started to become a household name in countries all over the world. In the 1960s the company moved to another new headquarters and aired its first ever color TV ad.
In 2006, 4711 had the second highest market share in Germany right behind Chanel.
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It's a cheap alternative to Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino
4711 is a classic, traditional cologne that has been around since 1792. It's a simple, fresh, and clean scent with a strong citrus opening. It's a unisex fragrance that's perfect for hot summer days. It's also very affordable, so you can spray it liberally without worrying about the cost.
Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino is a similar fragrance with a higher price tag. It's a more complex and well-blended scent with a longer-lasting citrus opening. It's also unisex, but leans more towards the feminine side.
If you're looking for a cheap alternative to Neroli Portofino, 4711 is a great option. It's a simple, refreshing scent that's perfect for summer. You can spray it liberally without worrying about the cost, and it will last you all day.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 4711 is a unisex cologne that can be worn by both men and women.
No, 4711 cologne is not long-lasting. It has a citrus standard lasting power, but since it is a fragrance that has a functional role–wake up, uplift, refresh, a couple of hours are plenty for me.
Yes, 4711 cologne is one of the least expensive perfumes you can find on the market.
Yes, 4711 cologne is perfect for summer. It is a good, no-nonsense cologne that smells bracing and sharp and makes you feel clean and energized.