The Evolution Of English Leather Cologne: Still In Vogue?

English Leather is a men's cologne with a rich, sensual scent featuring top notes of Italian bergamot and kaffir lime, heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver, and base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk. Created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company, it was originally called Russian Leather due to its similarity to the scent used by Russian saddlers for tanning leather. In 1949, it was introduced to the United States as English Leather. Over the years, the fragrance has changed hands and undergone some modifications, with the company Dana currently producing it in China. While some customers appreciate its scent quality and nostalgia, others have expressed disappointment with spillage issues and deviations from the original formula. Despite some mixed reviews, English Leather remains a classic and iconic fragrance.

English Leather's scent profile

English Leather is a rich, sensual scent, originally created in the 1930s by the Vienna-based MEM company. The top notes of the fragrance include Italian bergamot and kaffir lime, with heart notes of leather, oakmoss, and vetiver. The base notes of the cologne are sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk.

The scent is described as "classic and authentically masculine", with a vibrant, crisp citruses, aromatic woods, and mosses with a distinct leather signature. The cologne is said to be long-lasting, with a strong scent that sticks to the skin.

Some customers have described the scent as "delightful", "masculine", and "old-school". However, opinions differ on the smell, value for money, and longevity. Some customers have also mentioned that the current formulation of the cologne is different from the original scent.

The cologne's history

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

The cologne is described as a rich, sensual scent with vibrant citruses and aromatic woods and mosses. The distinctive leather signature is expertly woven throughout.

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

English Leather has been described as a classic and authentically masculine scent, reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s. It has a strong scent that lasts for several hours, offering excellent value for money.

However, some customers have expressed disappointment with the current formulation, stating that it lacks the "leathery goodness" of the original scent. There have also been concerns about spillage and the value for money.

Despite some mixed reviews, English Leather remains a popular and long-lasting fragrance, evoking nostalgia for many who have used it over the years.

Current availability

English Leather cologne is currently available for purchase on Amazon and the official Dana Classic Fragrances website. The cologne is also available on Fragrancenet.com, where it costs $8-12 for an 8oz bottle.

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

English Leather 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. In 1949, the scent was introduced in the United States as "English Leather".

There have been some concerns about the availability of English Leather cologne, with some sources indicating that it may have been discontinued or had limited stock. However, as of November 2024, the cologne appears to be available on major online retailers.

Customer reviews

Positive Reviews

Many customers have fond memories of English Leather, with some saying it reminds them of their fathers or grandfathers. One reviewer mentions that it reminds them of "a cowboy at a wedding", while another says it's "a fun change of pace". The scent is described as "musky citrus and leathery wood", "clean", "soapy", and "timeless". It is also praised for its longevity, with one reviewer saying they could still smell it 12-24 hours later.

Negative Reviews

Some customers are disappointed with the size of the bottle, saying it is smaller than they expected and not worth the price. Others are unhappy with the scent, describing it as cheap, synthetic, and not comparable to the real scent. A few reviewers also mention issues with spillage, saying the product had leaked in transit.

Similar fragrances

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• Mistral Men's Cologne, Bourbon Vanilla: This cologne, made in France, has received 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
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• Geo. F. Trumper Spanish Leather Cologne: This fragrance has been described as barbershop-like, with a true leather note.
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• Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel: This fragrance has been described as citrusy, powdery, woody, and musky.
• Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir: This fragrance has been described as masculine, old-fashioned, and well-liked by many people.
• Azzaro Azzaro pour Homme: This fragrance has been described as masculine, old-fashioned, and well-liked by many people.

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