The Evolution Of Polo 1: A Fragrance Journey

The Ralph Lauren Polo cologne, also known as Polo Green, was first launched in 1978. It has since undergone several reformulations, with the most recent version being released in 2022. The scent is described as a woody chypre fragrance for men, with top notes of juniper berries, basil, artemisia, caraway, coriander, and bergamot; middle notes of pine tree needles, leather, chamomile, pepper, carnation, geranium, jasmine, and rose; and base notes of tobacco, oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, musk, and amber.

Over the years, the Polo cologne has been produced by different companies, including Warner/Lauren Ltd., Cosmair, and Luxury Products, LLC. The original formula is highly sought-after by fragrance enthusiasts, who consider it to be a classic, masculine scent. However, it has become increasingly difficult to find vintage bottles, as the fragrance has been reformulated multiple times. The current version is said to be brighter and pinier, with a more synthetic smell compared to the original.

The original Polo cologne was created by Carlos Benaïm in 1978

The cologne is described as unapologetically masculine, with a deep, resonant voice. It evokes a sense of brawn and is quite at home in a modern office or upscale restaurant. The classic masculinity of the cologne is not heavy or stubborn, as the aforementioned base notes are counterbalanced by a brilliant, vibrant opening of basil, artemisia, vetiver, and thyme. It also has a refreshing spice of clove, coriander, and cumin.

The cologne has been passed down through generations of men's cologne connoisseurs and continues to charm young men and women every day. It is considered a timeless classic and has been called the "quintessential American male" scent.

It is a Chypre fragrance with notes of pine, leather, tobacco, and oakmoss

Chypre fragrances are named after the island of Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Chypre fragrances are warm and dry, almost always built around a woody, mossy accord of bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum. Chypre fragrances are complex and full of character, playing on a contrast of cool and warm materials to create an elegant and enigmatic effect.

Ralph Lauren's Polo is a Chypre fragrance for men, first launched in 1978. It has top notes of pine tree needles, middle notes of leather, and base notes of tobacco and oakmoss. The Chypre character of Polo is evident in its woody, mossy character, with its heart of pine and leather, and its base of tobacco and oakmoss.

The Chypre family of fragrances is thought to date back to Roman times, with the name 'chypre' often mentioned in 18th-century perfume manuals. Chypre fragrances were popularised by pioneering perfumer François Coty, who launched a successful scent called 'Chypre' in 1917.

Over time, the Chypre family has evolved, with classical chypres tending to be dark and rich, and newer formulations being more transparent, with heavier notes of labdanum and oakmoss blended with softer touches of patchouli.

The scent has been reformulated several times, with the current version being a shadow of its former glory

The scent of Polo by Ralph Lauren has been reformulated several times since its launch in 1978. The original scent was created by Carlos Benaïm, who is regarded as one of America's greatest living perfumers. The fragrance is a chypre, a family of fragrances characterised by warm, dry, mossy scents with notes of citrus, labdanum, and bergamot.

The reformulations are largely due to the elimination of oakmoss from the fragrance industry, which was linked to allergic reactions including skin rashes. While oakmoss once comprised a central ingredient in the chypre family of fragrances, it has been largely regulated out of the industry, with its composition reduced to no more than 0.1% of a scent.

The original scent is still sought-after, with some bottles selling for hundreds of dollars.

The original Polo is highly sought after by fragrance enthusiasts and can be identified by the label on the bottom of the bottle, which will read either Warner/Lauren LTD. or Cosmair Inc

The original Polo cologne is highly sought after by fragrance enthusiasts. The label on the bottom of the bottle will read either Warner/Lauren LTD. or Cosmair Inc. to identify the original fragrance.

The original Polo cologne was first introduced in 1978 and has since become a hot commodity on secondary markets. The scent has undergone many reformulations over the decades, with three distinct "eras" identified by fragrance enthusiasts: Warner/Lauren Ltd. (1978-1984), Cosmair (1984-2000), and Luxury Products, LLC. (2000-present).

The Warner/Lauren and Cosmair iterations are characterized by a green, "wet moss" scent, while the modern-era fragrance is brighter and pinier, with a more synthetic smell. The change in scent profile is largely due to the elimination of oakmoss from the fragrance industry, as it was linked to allergic reactions.

The original Polo cologne is unapologetically masculine, with rich base notes of leather, tobacco, patchouli, and oakmoss. While it can evoke a sense of brawn, it is not a heavy or stubborn fragrance. The base notes are counterbalanced by vibrant opening notes of basil, artemisia, vetiver, and thyme, as well as a refreshing spice of clove, coriander, and cumin.

The original Polo cologne has endured for over four decades due to its blend of sultry aromatics, speaking to generations of cologne connoisseurs. It continues to be sought after by fragrance enthusiasts, who appreciate its iconic scent of strength, elegance, and tradition.

Some similar fragrances to the original Polo include Italian Cypress by Tom Ford and Stetson Sierra by Coty

Italian Cypress by Tom Ford is a woody, aromatic fragrance with notes of cypress, juniper, and pine. It has a similar fresh and woody scent to Polo, with a touch of spice. This fragrance is perfect for those who enjoy the great outdoors.

Stetson Sierra by Coty is a woody, aromatic fragrance with notes of cypress, pine, and cedar. It has a similar fresh and woody scent to Polo, with a touch of spice. This fragrance is ideal for those who appreciate the outdoors and want to feel confident and masculine.

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