The Alluring Notes Of 4711: A Cologne's Story

4711 is a unisex fragrance with a rich history. It was first launched in 1792 and is considered the original Eau de Cologne. The nose behind this fragrance is Wilhelm Muelhens.

Top notes: lemon, bergamot, orange, basil, and peach.

Middle notes: lavender, rosemary, cyclamen, lily, melon, jasmine, and Bulgarian rose.

Base notes: neroli, petitgrain, patchouli, Tahitian vetiver, musk, sandalwood, oakmoss, and cedar.

The History of 4711

In 1792, a Carthusian monk gave a wedding gift to 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 house number, 4711, became the company's trademark.

In 1803, Mülhens, desiring to capitalize on the fame of Farina's product, obtained the rights to the "Farina" name from Carlo Francesco Farina, a Farina with no connection to the Johann Maria Farina family. Mülhens opened his own factory in Cologne and produced his own eau de cologne using the "Farina" name. He also "licensed" the name and the right to produce his product to at least twenty other people. In 1835, as a result of a legal action, all of the licenses were voided and all of the businesses closed.

At this point, Mülhens' son went to Italy, found another Farina, and again established a company under the "Farina" name. This again led to legal actions and in 1881, Wilhelm Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand Mülhens, adopted the "4711" name for both the company and their product after the company was barred from ever using the "Farina" name again. The "4711" name had been registered as a trademark in 1845 and was derived from the building number that had been assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building in 1796 by Daurier, the French commander of the occupying forces. The original 4711 Glockengasse building fell victim to urban renewal and no longer exists.

In 1994, the Mülhens family sold the company to hair care giant, Wella. In 2003, Wella was acquired by Procter & Gamble. In 2006, Procter & Gamble, citing a declining market for the 4711, sold the brand rights and the famous Glockengasse building to Mäurer & Wirtz, an independent subsidiary of the Dalli Group.

The original eau de cologne is now over two centuries old. The brand chalks this success up to high-quality ingredients and essential oils. The bright, fresh top note grabs attention right away – you can't help but notice it from the first spray or splash. All the ingredients and scents work in harmony. Bergamot, lemon, and orange provide a unique revitalizing effect. Lavender and rosemary calm and relax with their deep, herbal tones. Bitter orange extract (also known as Neroli) creates a positive and calming base note.

The Notes of 4711

4711 is a German perfume brand that has adorned the wrists of men and women alike since the 18th century. The brand's original Eau de Cologne, launched in 1792, is a citrus aromatic fragrance for women and men. The nose behind this fragrance is Wilhelm Muelhens.

Top Notes

The top notes of 4711 are lemon, bergamot, and orange. These citrus notes provide a unique revitalizing effect and grab attention right away.

Middle Notes

The middle notes of 4711 are lavender and rosemary. These herbal notes calm and relax with their deep, herbal tones.

Base Notes

The base notes of 4711 are neroli and petitgrain. Neroli, or bitter orange extract, creates a positive and calming base for the fragrance. Petitgrain, an essential oil derived from the leaves and twigs of bitter orange trees, adds a touch of bitterness and spice.

Additional Notes

Over the years, 4711 has released numerous variations of their original Eau de Cologne, including:

• Acqua Colonia Collection: features natural scents that inspire the mind, emotions, and senses.
• Acqua Colonia Intense: a collection of intense and exotic fragrances.
• Floral Collection Eau de Cologne: a collection of floral fragrances.
• Remix Cologne Collection: a modern take on the classic fragrance.
• Wunderwasser: a line of fragrances for men and women that capture the wonder and awe of miracle water.

4711's original Eau de Cologne has endured for over 200 years thanks to its high-quality ingredients, harmonious blend of scents, and refreshing, crisp character. The brand continues to innovate and release new fragrances while staying true to its rich history.

The Price of 4711

• 3.3 oz - $11.53
• 3.4 oz - $7.61
• 3 oz - $8.46
• 1.7 oz - $9.36
• 2 oz - $11.25
• 5.1 oz - $13.56
• 3 oz - $15.13
• 5 oz - $15.84
• 6.8 oz - $17.29
• 10 oz - $19.45
• 13.5 oz - $23.05
• 27 oz - $39.98

The Longevity of 4711

A 200-Year-Old Cologne

4711 is a classic German scent that has adorned the wrists of men and women alike since the 18th century. The brand chalks this success up to high-quality ingredients and essential oils. The bright, fresh top note grabs attention right away — you can't help but notice it from the first spray or splash. All the ingredients and scents work in harmony. Bergamot, lemon, and orange provide a unique revitalizing effect. Lavender and rosemary calm and relax with their deep, herbal tones. Bitter orange extract (also known as Neroli) creates a positive and calming base note.

A Long History

The history behind this cologne is very vast. 4711 was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, a merchant who was gifted the recipe for an "acqua mirabilis" (miracle water) for his wedding by a Carthusian monk. Soon after, Muelhens opened a manufactory in the Glockengasse (meaning "Clock Tower Square") area of Cologne, Germany. He 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.

A New Home

In 1943, 4711's headquarters were destroyed during the American carpet bombing of Cologne in World War II. Nearly 90% 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.

A New Era

In 2009, 4711 rolled out six new scents known as the Acqua Colonia collection. All six are built around natural scents that inspire the mind, emotions, and senses. In 2011, the headquarters and flagship store were redesigned with an emphasis on the trademark Molanus bottle and incorporating it into the design. The brand also released a new fragrance, known as the 4711 Nouveau Cologne, on a significant date: 4/7/11. Inspired by the Billy Wilder quote "Anyone who doesn't believe in miracles isn't a realist," in 2014 4711 developed a new line of fragrance called Wunderwasser. With a range for men and one for women, it uses fresh, marine notes to capture the wonder and awe evoked by its inspiration.

The Sillage of 4711

The history of 4711 is a long and storied one, dating back to the 18th century. The original Eau de Cologne was created in 1792 by Wilhelm Muelhens, who received a secret recipe for "acqua mirabilis" (miracle water) as a wedding gift. This miracle water was intended for both internal and external use. Muelhens opened a manufactory in Cologne, Germany, and marketed his miracle water as a health drink, served undiluted or mixed with wine. The name "4711" came about when the French military occupied the city in 1794 and assigned numbers to all the houses; Muelhens' house was given the number 4711.

In the early 1800s, Muelhens obtained the rights to produce and distribute the cologne under the Farina name. However, legal action in the mid-1800s voided these licenses and forced the closure of affiliated businesses. Muelhens' grandson, Ferdinand, appropriated the "4711" name for both the company and the cologne. The trademark "4711 cologne" was obtained in 1845.

Today, 4711 is owned by Mäurer & Wirtz, a subsidiary of the Dalli Group. The cologne follows its traditional "secret" formulation of citrus oils, herbals, flower extracts, water, and alcohol, with subtle changes made over the years to update the formula. The top notes of the cologne include orange, bergamot, and lemon, with middle notes of cyclamen, melon, lily, and Bulgarian rose, and base notes of musk, patchouli, Tahitian vetiver, sandalwood, cedar, and oakmoss.

The original 4711 Eau de Cologne has endured for over two centuries, and its longevity is due in part to its high-quality ingredients and essential oils. The bright, fresh top notes of citrus are attention-grabbing, and all the ingredients and scents work in harmony. The cologne has a simple, clean, and crisp scent that is perfect for any occasion, though some prefer it for spring and summer. It is a true classic and is worth a spot in any fragrance collection.

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