The Fragrance Of A Legend: James Bond's Cologne Choice

James Bond is a fictional British spy, known for his style and charm. In the books, Bond never wears a fragrance, but the author, Ian Fleming, was a fan of Floris No.89 Eau De Toilette. The brand Floris is mentioned in the books and appears in the films, but Bond never endorses a specific fragrance. However, several fragrances have been marketed as reminiscent of Bond, with aromatic and woody notes.

James Bond's preferred cologne

Although James Bond is never explicitly associated with a fragrance in the books or films, there are several references to Floris London in Ian Fleming's novels. In "Moonraker" (1955), Fleming describes the Blades gentleman's club, of which Bond is a member, as having "Floris providing the soaps and lotions in the lavatories and bedrooms." In "Diamonds Are Forever" (1956), Bond makes a mental note to send a cable to his housekeeper, May, to prepare his flat for his return to London: "He would have to send a cable to May to get things fixed. Let's see – flowers, bath essence from Floris, air the sheets…". In "Dr. No" (1958), Floris products are again mentioned when Bond freshens up in an en-suite bathroom: "There was everything in the bathroom – Floris Lime bath essence for men and Guerlain bath cubes for women."

Although Bond himself is not described as using any Floris products, the brand's association with the sophisticated and luxurious world of the character is clear. In addition, Ian Fleming, the author of the Bond novels, was a devotee of Floris No. 89 Eau de Toilette, which was created in 1951, a year before the publication of his first novel, "Casino Royale." It is described as having top notes of bergamot, orange, neroli and nutmeg, with a heart of delicate rose and ylang-ylang, and a base of sturdy oakmoss and sandalwood. This classic and stylish fragrance, with its layers of scent, can be seen as a fitting choice for the world's most famous spy.

In more recent years, there have been several fragrances officially licensed by Eon Productions, the company behind the James Bond films. In 2012, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film franchise and the release of "Skyfall," the fragrance "James Bond 007" was launched. This scent, created by perfumer Sonia Constant, has top notes of apple, bergamot and geranium, middle notes of lavender, cardamom and rose, and base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver and moss. The bottle design also reflects the world of James Bond, with a dark green glass bottle, a silver ring-shaped stopper inspired by spy gadgets, and the "007" logo emphasised with a satin ribbon.

While Bond himself may not endorse any particular fragrance, the world he inhabits is often associated with luxury and sophistication, and the Floris and James Bond branded fragrances offer fans the opportunity to embrace a little piece of that world.

Ian Fleming's cologne of choice

Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, wore Floris No. 89 Eau de Toilette. This fragrance was launched in 1951, a year before Fleming published his first novel, 'Casino Royale'. Floris No. 89 is an old-school and dandyish scent with top notes of orange and bergamot, and heart notes of lavender and neroli. The fragrance has a dominant woody base of sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver, making it a quintessential English gentleman's fragrance.

Fleming's fondness for the Floris brand is evident in his novels, where it is mentioned on multiple occasions. In 'Moonraker' (1955), Fleming describes the Blades gentleman's club, of which Bond is a member, as having "Floris providing the soaps and lotions in the lavatories and bedrooms." In 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1956), Bond makes a mental note to send a cable to his housekeeper, May, requesting Floris bath essence, among other things, to prepare his flat for his return.

Even in 'Dr. No' (1958), after Bond is captured by the villain, he finds Floris products in the luxurious en-suite: "There was everything in the bathroom—Floris Lime bath essence for men and Guerlain bath cubes for women."

Although Bond himself is never described as wearing a fragrance, either in the novels or the films, Fleming's affinity for Floris No. 89 and his tendency to include the brand in Bond's surroundings suggest that this may be the closest thing to a "Bond fragrance."

For those seeking to emulate Bond's scent, Floris still offers the Limes Bath Essence, mentioned in 'Dr. No', as well as other fragrance options that may appeal to those wanting to channel their inner 007.

Scents James Bond would approve of

James Bond is a man of mystery, and his cologne is no exception. While the suave spy is never explicitly associated with a particular fragrance in the books or films, we can make some educated guesses about the scents he might approve of. Here are some options that could match his enigmatic personality and sophisticated style:

Floris No.89 Eau De Toilette

This fragrance has strong links to the Bond universe. Floris is a brand mentioned multiple times in the Bond books, and its No.89 scent was created by founder Juan Famenias Floris just a year before Ian Fleming published his first novel, "Casino Royale." It's a woody and musky aroma with top notes of bergamot, orange, neroli, and nutmeg, and more subtle notes of rose and ylang-ylang. This classic and stylish fragrance is also said to have been worn by author Ian Fleming himself, who modelled Bond on his own life.

Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille

This scent is mentioned by several sources as a possible match for Bond. With its opening notes of tobacco, it sets the perfect tone for a night at the casino, slowly developing into a smooth vanilla, tonka bean, and cacao blend before settling on a woody and berry mix. This fragrance oozes confidence and sophistication, just like Bond himself.

Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

For a natural charmer like Bond, Bleu de Chanel could be a perfect fit. This woody-aromatic fragrance has prominent notes of grapefruit, incense, and vetiver, creating a classy, sweet scent. It's the kind of fragrance that exudes boldness and confidence, marking its wearer as a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to pursue it.

L'Homme Parfum Intense by Yves Saint Laurent

Imagine stepping out of the ocean and onto the beach; that's the feeling conveyed by the first spray of this fragrance, with its bergamot, lemon, and black pepper notes. But it's the base notes of ambergris that take you away from the beach and transform you into a man who fights for what's right and wins—just like Bond.

Geo. F. Trumper Eucris

This is a fragrance specifically mentioned in the Bond books, when 007 visits the nefarious Marc-Ange Draco in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." It's a classic choice that suits Bond's sophisticated and mysterious personality.

So, while Bond may not endorse a particular cologne, these options capture the essence of his character and could very well be the scents he would approve of.

Colognes worn by James Bond actors

While James Bond is never explicitly associated with a cologne in the films or books, the author of the Bond series, Ian Fleming, wore Floris No. 89 Eau de Toilette. This fragrance was launched in 1951, a year before Fleming published his first novel, and the author included several Floris products in the Bond books. As such, it is arguably the closest thing to a "Bond fragrance".

In the films, the actors who have portrayed James Bond are reported to have worn the following colognes:

• Sean Connery: Guerlain Jicky
• Roger Moore: Polo Green by Ralph Lauren
• Timothy Dalton: Burberry Brit
• Pierce Brosnan: Clive Christian 1872 and X, Creed Green Irish Tweed, and Tom Ford Tuscan Leather
• Daniel Craig: Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille and Oud Wood

James Bond-inspired colognes

Although James Bond never wears a fragrance in the books or films, his creator, Ian Fleming, was a fan of Floris No.89 Eau de Toilette, a scent that features in several of the Bond novels.

Floris No.89 Eau de Toilette

This fragrance is arguably the closest you will get to a "Bond fragrance". With top notes of bergamot, orange, neroli and nutmeg, and base notes of rose, ylang-ylang, oakmoss and sandalwood, it's a quintessential British gentleman's scent.

Floris Limes Bath Essence

If you want to smell like 007, try Floris Limes Bath Essence. This is the fragrance that features in Bond's bathroom in Dr No. A few drops in the bath will leave your skin soft and scented with lime blossom, neroli and lily of the valley.

Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille

According to some sources, Daniel Craig wore Tom Ford fragrances in the Bond films. Tobacco Vanille has top notes of tobacco and a base of vanilla, tonka bean, cacao, wood and berry.

Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

This woody-aromatic fragrance is said to be for the natural charmer – a man who doesn't have to try to impress. With prominent notes of grapefruit, incense and vetiver, it's a bold, sweet scent.

L'Homme Parfum Intense by Yves Saint Laurent

With top notes of bergamot, lemon and black pepper, and base notes of ambergris, this fragrance will make you feel like you've stepped out of the ocean and are ready to fight for what's right.

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