The Secret Ingredients In 4711 Cologne Revealed

4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799. The original formula has been used for over 200 years and includes ingredients such as lemon, bergamot, orange, lavender, rosemary, neroli, and petitgrain. The cologne has a citrus scent and is marketed towards both men and women.

Characteristics	Values
Fragrance Notes	Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Lavender, Rosemary, Neroli, Petitgrain, Jasmine, Lily, Bulgarian Rose, Musk, Sandalwood
Year Introduced	1792
Recommended Use	Evening

What You'll Learn

Bergamot, lemon, and orange
Lavender and rosemary
Jasmine, lily, Bulgarian rose, musk, and sandalwood
History of 4711
Other 4711 fragrances

Bergamot, lemon, and orange

The cologne has a long and interesting history. It was created by Wilhelm Muelhens in 1792, and the brand has expanded to include various other perfumes and products. The original 4711 store in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction. The cologne was even issued to U-boat crews during World War II in an attempt to mask body odour.

The cologne has a predominantly masculine scent, and it is unisex. It is best suited for evening use.

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Lavender and rosemary

The middle notes of lavender and rosemary are said to calm and relax the wearer with their deep, herbal tones. The rosemary in particular adds a light and herbaceous quality to the fragrance, balancing out the citrus tones of the top notes. The lavender, meanwhile, adds a delicate floral quality to the cologne, providing a beautiful contrast to the citrus notes. Together, the middle notes create a fragrant and soothing essence, making the cologne perfect for those seeking a light and refreshing scent.

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Jasmine, lily, Bulgarian rose, musk, and sandalwood

The top notes of the cologne include lemon, bergamot, and orange, which help to revitalise. The middle notes are lavender and rosemary, which aid relaxation. The base notes are neroli and petitgrain, which create a positive and calming mood.

The cologne is available in a variety of sizes, including a 60ml, 90ml, 300ml, 400ml, and 800ml eau de cologne, as well as a 150ml aftershave.

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History of 4711

4711 is a classic German Eau de Cologne that has been worn by men and women since the 18th century. The brand has expanded to include various perfumes and products besides the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has used the same formula for over 200 years.

The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction. The brand was founded in 1792 when Wilhelm Muelhens received a secret recipe for "miracle water" as a wedding gift. This miracle water was intended for both internal and external use and was initially marketed as a health drink served undiluted or mixed with wine.

In 1794, the French military occupation of Cologne began, and a French commander ordered all the houses in the city to be numbered. The place where the perfume was manufactured was numbered 4711, and that has stuck ever since. In 1810, Emperor Napoleon ordered that all internal medicines list their ingredients, but Muelhens didn't want to give away his secret recipe, so he began marketing his miracle water as a fragrance.

In 1820, Peter Heinrich Molanus designed the hexagonal, upright bottle that is still in use today. In 1875, Ferdinand Muelhens (Wilhelm's grandson) registered 4711 as a brand and created the first iteration of the modern logo. In 1900, the Muelhens family finalized the design, and it hasn't changed since.

In the early 20th century, the brand experienced a lot of growth. In 1921, they introduced Tosca, a perfume for women based on the newly created concept of aldehydes. It became one of the best-selling perfumes worldwide. In the 1930s, the brand expanded its fragrance offerings for men and women and introduced new products such as cosmetics, hair care, and skincare.

During World War II, 4711's headquarters in Cologne were destroyed in the American carpet bombing of the city. In the 1950s, the brand rebuilt a manufacturing plant and expanded to many new countries as the fragrance became famous worldwide.