The Scent Of A Strongman: Putin's Cologne Choice

Russian President Vladimir Putin has inspired several fragrances, including Superman Blue Line and Leaders Number One. Putin's favourite fragrance has never been officially revealed, but perfume experts have their theories. Anna Askarova, a writer for the perfume portal Aroma.ru, believes it to be Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels, while the newspaper Express Gazeta claims it is Amouage Gold Man. In 2016, Belarusian perfumer Vladislav Rekunov released a fragrance dedicated to Putin, and in 2006, the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets published an interview with perfumer Zhanna Gladkova, who stated that she had created a fragrance for Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila.

Vladislav Rekunov's 'Leaders Number One'

Vladislav Rekunov's "Leaders Number One" is a Putin-inspired cologne that was released in 2015. Rekunov, a Belarus-born perfumer, described the scent as "soft but very firm", with top notes of lemon, bergamot, and blackcurrant, heart notes of cedar and spruce balm, and base notes of musk and tonka bean. The perfume bottle is a sleek, spare black design featuring a silver profile of the Russian president's head, with the words "Inspired by Vladimir Putin" in English.

The cologne was launched in Moscow's GUM department store in Red Square, with a limited edition of 1,000 to 2,000 bottles, priced at around $85 to $95 for a 100ml bottle. Rekunov stated that the scent was meant to evoke a warm, textured and rounded aroma that was delicate, but at the same time firm. According to the Washington Post, Rekunov described the cologne as "attractive, matter-of-fact and natural", rather than aggressive.

While there is no confirmation that Putin endorsed the cologne, the perfume gained attention as a unique product inspired by the Russian president. The proceeds from the cologne's sales were intended to benefit a charity for sick and disabled children. The cologne was also intended to have a female version, catering to women who enjoyed the fragrance.

"Leaders Number One" joined a range of other Putin-themed products, including T-shirts, mugs, condoms, and an Instagram account dedicated to the leader. The cologne's release highlighted the fascination with Putin's image and the desire to emulate his scent and style.

Anna Askarova suggests 'Tsar' by Van Cleef & Arpels

Anna Askarova, a writer for the perfume portal Aroma.ru, suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin's favourite fragrance is Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels. This perfume, released in 1989, is described by Askarova as the "scent of responsibility". It is said to possess a woody aroma with top notes of lavender, bergamot, coriander, green notes, and artemisia. The heart of the fragrance is a blend of lily-of-the-valley, cloves, roses, juniper, jasmine, and caraway, while the base notes include coconut, musk, patchouli, ambergris, sandalwood, oak moss, cedar, tonka bean, and leather.

Askarova's suggestion is based on insights from perfume collectors, although it has never been officially confirmed by the president himself. The fragrance, priced at 20,000 rubles ($314) for a 100ml bottle, is currently out of production.

While Tsar by Van Cleef & Arpels is a speculative choice, there have been other perfumes more directly linked to Putin. In 2016, Belarusian perfumer Vladislav Rekunov created "Leaders Number One", a fragrance inspired by the Russian president. Rekunov described the scent as "warm, textured, and rounded" and "very delicate, but at the same time firm." It features notes of lemon, bergamot, blackcurrant, and fir cones. The perfume was sold in a sleek black bottle adorned with Putin's profile and retailed for around $85-$95 for a 100ml bottle.

Another fragrance speculated to be favoured by Putin is Amouage Gold Man, released in 1998. This scent features top notes of rose hips, frankincense, and lily-of-the-valley, heart notes of iris, jasmine, and patchouli, and base notes of sandalwood, ambergris, musk, cedar, and oak moss.

Zhanna Gladkova's custom fragrance

In 2006, the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets published an interview with perfumer Zhanna Gladkova, who claimed to have personally created a custom fragrance for Vladimir Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila.

According to Gladkova, Lyudmila preferred the scent of rose, which formed the base of the perfume, with added notes of jasmine and ylang-ylang. Impressed with the fragrance, Lyudmila asked Gladkova to develop a custom eau-de-cologne for the president.

For Putin, Gladkova created a "chord of metallic freshness, tangy and dynamic, with a warm breath of sandalwood, cedar, smoky vetiver, and expensive leather." The packaging was just as luxurious as the fragrance itself, with the bottle presented in a box resembling an ancient chest and the perfume contained in an antique container fitted with an atomizer.

While it has never been officially confirmed or denied that Gladkova was the personal perfumer of the presidential family, Gladkova stated, "I've heard rumours that Putin used my fragrance before meeting with heads of state."

Ingredients and Notes

• Top notes: Lavender, bergamot, coriander, green notes, and artemisia
• Heart notes: Lily-of-the-valley, cloves, roses, juniper, jasmine, and caraway
• Base notes: Coconut, musk, patchouli, ambergris, sandalwood, oak moss, cedar, tonka bean, and leather

'Superman Blue Line' cologne

Superman Blue Line cologne is a Russian fragrance that features an image of President Vladimir Putin in sunglasses on its packaging. The cologne is described as having a strong, masculine scent that lasts for several hours. The box is difficult to open, and the bottle is made of solid glass with a minimalist design. While the cologne may not have significantly improved the wearer's judo skills or swagger, it did make them feel cooler and more confident.

The cologne is marketed towards men and is designed to be worn on formal occasions or academic conferences. It is also suitable for those who want to feel more masculine or want to smell like President Putin. The cologne is a unique product that is not easily found online, adding to its allure and exclusivity.

The Superman Blue Line cologne is a high-quality product with a sleek and hefty bottle. The sticker on the bottle mirrors the front of the box, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The cologne is applied using the "spritz-upward-and-walk-through" method, which involves removing the matte plastic cap and spraying the fragrance into the air before walking through it.

Overall, the Superman Blue Line cologne is a solid choice for those seeking a masculine and long-lasting fragrance. While it may not have delivered on its implied promise of enhanced martial arts skills, it did provide a pleasant and decent scent that boosted the wearer's confidence.

Amouage Gold Man

Gold Man is reminiscent of the golden age of perfumery, with a dry chypre fragrance. It is blended with rare and luxurious ingredients sourced from around the world. The scent is said to be reminiscent of the roaring 20s, with its unique chic, luxurious art deco interiors, champagne, jazz, and other attributes of the era.

The perfume is described as having a "chord of metallic freshness, tangy and dynamic, with a warm breath of sandalwood, cedar, smoky vetiver, and expensive leather." The box resembles an ancient chest, and the bottle is an antique container fitted with an atomizer.

Gold Man has received mixed reviews, with some praising its luxurious, regal, and sophisticated scent, while others find it too floral, powdery, or old-fashioned. It is considered a challenging wear and more suitable for mature audiences. The fragrance has excellent longevity and projection but may be too strong for some.

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