4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been produced in the city of Cologne since at least 1799. The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction. The brand has been expanded to various other perfumes and products besides the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has used the same formula for more than 200 years.
The 4711 store in Glockengasse 4 is definitely worth a visit. Downstairs is the retail area which features the entire range of 4711 fragrances in different flacon sizes as well as the limited editions. There is a rather cool 4711 fountain near the door – dip your fingers in it for some quick refreshment. Upstairs is a fragrance museum which exhibits old fragrance bottles and advertising images and there are also a couple of lecture rooms for guided visits and fragrance seminars.
The current bottle design goes back to 1820, when distiller Peter Heinrich Molanus came up with a hexagonal flacon which offered a large label space and was easy to stack and transport. Today 4711 still uses the Molanus design, with some slight alterations. The scent composition is also virtually unchanged and the formula is said to be a closely guarded secret. 4711 is a fresh, zesty concoction with revitalizing notes of bergamot, lemon and orange, tempered by calming lavender and rosemary and accords of bitter orange-scented neroli. It’s a very recognizable unisex scent.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fragrance notes | Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Lavender, Rosemary, Neroli, Petitgrain, Jasmine, Lily, Bulgarian Rose, Musk, Sandalwood |
Year introduced | 1792 |
Use | Evening |
Bottle size | 10.1 oz, 13.5 oz, 27 oz, 3 oz, 3.4 oz, 5.1 oz, 6.8 oz |
Manufacturer | Mäurer & Wirtz |
Tourist attraction | Glockengasse 4 in Cologne |
What You'll Learn
4711 Eau de Cologne: Notes, Ingredients and Fragrance
4711 Eau de Cologne is a citrus aromatic fragrance for both men and women. It was launched in 1792 and has top notes of lemon, bergamot, and orange; middle notes of lavender and rosemary; and base notes of neroli and petitgrain. The nose behind this fragrance is Wilhelm Muelhens.
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4711 Cologne: Customer Reviews
4711 Original Eau de Cologne has been described as a "timeless classic" with a "refreshing and revitalizing" scent. The cologne has been a favourite for centuries, with wearers praising its "light and airy" aroma that "lingers in the air without being too strong or overpowering".
The cologne's citrus top notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange create an "invigorating and uplifting" scent, while the middle notes of rosemary and lavender add a "subtle yet elegant touch". The base notes of neroli and petitgrain provide a "soothing and calming effect", rounding off the fragrance with a unique balance of sweet and fresh aromas.
While some customers have praised the cologne's "long-lasting" scent, others have criticised its "weak" performance, with one review stating that the cologne "doesn't last long, or project far".
- "I always have a bottle of this in my bathroom cabinet."
- "I love the smell of this. So fresh!"
- "I wish it lasted longer."
- "I feel like something is missing in my life unless I have a big glass bottle of 4711 on my vanity."
- "I have worn this old cologne before, it's a nice citrus and lavender scent, not strong and short life, but very cooling for a hot summer sunny days."
- "I love this, it's so fresh, light and clean."
- "I like this on my skin. Clean and very citrusy. I wish the smell lasted better but it's actually not as bad as others would have you believe."
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4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser: History and Brand Profile
4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799. It is one of the most famous German perfume brands, with a rich and convoluted history.
The story of 4711 begins with Italian fragrance maker Johann Maria Farina, who, in 1709, created a refreshing fragrance based on citrus fruits and herbs. He called his scented water "Eau de Cologne" to honour his adoptive city.
However, it is 4711 that is arguably the most famous "Cologne water". According to company lore, local businessman Wilhelm Muelhens received the formula for an "Aqua Mirabilis" ("Miracle Water") from a Carthusian monk named Franz Maria Farina as a wedding gift in 1792. This fragrance recipe became the basis for 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which was officially launched that same year. The brand name goes back to the house number of Muelhens.
From the early 19th century onwards, Muelhens focused on manufacturing and marketing his 4711 perfume. The original company name was "Franz Maria Farina, Glockengasse 4711, Cöln". Unsurprisingly, the family of Johann Maria Farina objected to the Muelhens' use of their name, and a prolonged legal battle ensued. In 1881, the Muelhens family conceded defeat, and the company was renamed "Eau de Cologne- und Parfümerie-Fabrik Glockengasse 4711".
By the mid-19th century, 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser had become internationally famous, with customers from all over the world and subsidiaries in the US and Russia. The company supplied several European courts with its fragrance, including the Tsar of Russia, the Prince of Wales, and the Emperor of Austria. The 4711 blend also received numerous awards in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser is a very popular German souvenir. The glass flacons carry a distinctive turquoise and gold label and a red cap. The current bottle design dates back to 1820 when distiller Peter Heinrich Molanus created a hexagonal flacon that offered a large label space and was easy to stack and transport. The scent composition is said to be virtually unchanged, and the formula is a closely guarded secret.
The 4711 brand has since changed hands several times and is now owned by German perfumery group Mäurer & Wirtz.
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4711 Aftershave: Ingredients and Origin
4711 is a traditional German Eau de Cologne, first created in 1792 or 1799, and is considered the original Eau de Cologne. The brand has expanded to include other perfumes and products, but the original formula has remained unchanged for over 200 years.
The original 4711 store in Glockengasse 4, Cologne, is a popular tourist attraction.
The fragrance was created by Italian Johann Maria Farina, who named it "Eau de Cologne" after his new home in Cologne, Germany.
According to legend, on October 8, 1792, a Carthusian monk gave the merchant Wilhelm Mülhens the secret recipe for a so-called "aqua mirabilis" as a wedding gift. Mülhens then founded a small factory and established the first "Eau de Cologne" as a remedy.
The ingredients in 4711 include:
- Alcohol
- Water
- Glycerin
- Fragrance
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Citral
- Hydroxycitronellal
- Geraniol
- Citronellol
- Ext. Violet 2
- Blue 1
- Yellow 5
The aftershave ingredients are:
- Alcohol
- Water
- Butylene glycol
- Fragrance
- Limonene
- Benzophenone 3
- Peg 6 caprylic/capric glycerides
- Linalool
- Peg40 hydrogenated castor oil
- Citral
- Geraniol
- Hydroxycitronellol
- Blue 1
- Ext. Violet 2
- Yellow 5/p
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4711 Glockengasse Store: A Popular Tourist Attraction
The 4711 Glockengasse store is a popular tourist attraction in Berlin. The store is located at Glockengasse 4, and it houses the original 4711 Eau de Cologne, which has been a popular fragrance for over 200 years. The brand has expanded to include various other perfumes and products, but the original 4711 Eau de Cologne remains a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
A Brief History of 4711 Eau de Cologne
The story of 4711 Eau de Cologne began in the early 18th century when Italian fragrance maker Johann Maria Farina created a scent called "Eau de Cologne" in honour of his adoptive city. Over the next century, the fragrance gained popularity, and in 1792, a Carthusian monk gifted the secret recipe of an "aqua mirabilis" or "miracle water" to merchant Wilhelm Mülhens as a wedding present. Mülhens then founded a small factory at Glockengasse and established the first "Eau de Cologne" as a remedy.
The original formula of 4711 Eau de Cologne has been closely guarded for over 200 years, and it is said to include revitalizing notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange, as well as calming lavender and rosemary, and accords of bitter orange-scented neroli. This fresh and zesty concoction is a recognisable unisex scent that has become a staple in the world of perfumery.
The 4711 Glockengasse Store Experience
The 4711 Glockengasse store is more than just a place to purchase the iconic fragrance. The store features a retail area on the ground floor, showcasing the entire range of 4711 fragrances in different flacon sizes, as well as limited editions. There is also a unique 4711 fountain near the door where visitors can dip their fingers for a quick refreshment.
Upstairs, the store houses a fragrance museum that exhibits old fragrance bottles and advertising images. There are also lecture rooms for guided visits and fragrance seminars, making it an educational experience for those interested in the history of perfumery.
Today, the 4711 brand belongs to the German perfumery group Mäurer & Wirtz, and they have successfully rejuvenated the brand with new launches such as the Aqua Colonia range and Nouveau Cologne. The Glockengasse store is a testament to the longevity and popularity of 4711 Eau de Cologne, and it continues to be a must-visit destination for tourists and fragrance enthusiasts alike.
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Frequently asked questions
4711 cologne is a traditional German Eau de Cologne that has been produced in the city of Cologne since at least 1799. The original 4711 store at Glockengasse 4 in Cologne is a popular tourist attraction, but the cologne is also available at most German drugstores and perfumeries.
4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser ("Original Cologne Water") was officially launched in 1792. The brand name goes back to the house number of local businessman Wilhelm Muelhens (1762-1841). According to company lore, Muelhens received the formula for an Aqua Mirabilis ("Miracle Water") from a Carthusian monk named Franz Maria Farina as a wedding present. This fragrance recipe became the basis for 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser.
4711 is a fresh, zesty concoction with revitalizing notes of bergamot, lemon and orange, tempered by calming lavender and rosemary and accords of bitter orange-scented neroli. It’s a very recognizable unisex scent.