Echt Kölnisch Wasser (Eau de Cologne) by 4711

Bottle Design:
Peter Heinrich Molanus

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Die Glockengasse bei Nacht - © MÄURER & WIRTZ GmbH & Co.KG

4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser Duschgel - © MÄURER & WIRTZ GmbH & Co.KG

Echt Kölnisch Wasser 4711 1792 Eau de Cologne

7.0 / 10 1079 Ratings

A perfume by 4711 for women and men, released in 1792. The scent is fresh-citrusy. It is being marketed by Mäurer & Wirtz.
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Main accords

Fresh

Citrus

Green

Floral

Aquatic

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Bergamot

Lemon

Orange

Heart Notes

Lavender

Rosemary

Base Notes

Neroli

Petitgrain

Perfumer

Wilhelm Mülhens

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Ratings

Scent

7.01079 Ratings

Longevity

4.1946 Ratings

Sillage

4.4899 Ratings

Bottle

7.0931 Ratings

Value for money

8.4507 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 10/22/2025.

Interesting Facts

"Original Eau de Cologne" goes back to a special mixture, the 1709 "Aqua Mirabilis”. Johann Maria Farina, an Italian immigrant to Cologne stood behind the original recipe. Soon there were other "Eau de Colognes", that used the name "Farina” and Farina had to fight against plagiarism. With Georg Mühlens, who issued one of these 1792, there was a long-running dispute. Eventually the product´s name was changed in "4711 - Eau de Cologne". Until today, both companies produce their fragrances. "Farina Gegenüber" states to use the old original recipe from over 300 years ago.

When Napoleon had occupied Cologne, he enumerated all the houses. The house in the Street "Glockengasse", where Georg Mühlens resided in, got the number 4711. Still today on some gift packs, there is the drawing of a uniformed cavalier, writing the number on the wall with chalk. The bell ("Glockengasse" means "alley of bells") is still shown in the logo.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum

Eau de Cologne Impériale

Echt Kölnisch Wasser After Shave

L'Eau de Neroli

Pacific Blue

Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne

Reviews

103 in-depth fragrance descriptions

03/19/2013

9Scent

Katad
58 Reviews

Katad

Top Review 9

Memories of my ancestors...

I'm sure anyone with any bit of german ancenstry has memories of this scent. Spicy, nutty, herbal, citrus. Bergamot bursts at the beginning, followed by sweet lemon and herbs.

A delicious refresher that is a great pick-me-up for spring and summer. This scent is the one that has the most pull on my memory. I'm instantly transported back to 1966 sitting in my jammies while watching my mom get dressed up to go out. She gives me a kiss goodbye and her scent wafts across my nose.

I lost her almost 15 years ago and this scent brings her back to me for a lovely visit...

01/19/2014

9Scent

Scentemental
29 Reviews

Scentemental

Top Review 7

Refreshing!

I made the decision to cease from buying myself any fragrances as a New Year's resolution. On December 31 I bought myself a 300ml bottle (on sale for $27 Australian) as a last addition to my collection. I do not have a huge range of eau de colognes and felt that this masterpiece really deserved a place in my wardrobe. It is summer here at the moment last weekend we had 43.3 degrees C and for the next week it is forecast to be 37 degrees C on most days: 4711 is the perfect cologne for such weather. I usually put it on in the evening before I relax after a long day: a small palmful splashed on my neck and the lovely smell of neroli wafts around me. This is a subtle, well balanced cologne that is not overly citric: it is just right. The longevity is predictably low, but that is to be expected. There is a reason this has been around over 200 years!

05/04/2012

5Scent 5Longevity 2.5Sillage

Florblanca
1168 Reviews

Florblanca

Very helpful Review 7

Memories of another homeland

I was born and grew up in the Czech Republik, exactly at the Erzgebirge. 4711 was the very first "perfume" I got to know. My grannies used it as well as my grand pa's and also my parents used it again and again. Later my mother got a "Tosca" from Germany - a gift from a friend of her - and she used it extremely careful and very seldom.

As kids we got rubed it on the forehead skin having headache and when our stomach was bad, we got a sugar cube with a little bit 4711 to suck it. This really helped - against headache and against brakishness.

Today I'm using 4711 when travelling - especially for longer trip - it's unpayable! It refreshes, it wakes up and makes the head cool and free. My husband is using 4711 when he doesn't like to use any fragrance, because 4711 is just minty-lemon freshness.

The smell: not overloaded, fresh, citrus and peppermint freshness, classic - this is how a "Eau de Cologne" should smell.

And yes, I'm a fan of 4711 - even if it's no longer a Mäurer & Wirz product - and I hope it will not disappear from the market!

01/10/2012

6Scent 5Longevity 2.5Sillage

Flaconneur
49 Reviews

Flaconneur

Very helpful Review 8

ECHT KÖLNISCH WASSER by 4711

The formula for 4711 has remained under wraps since its introduction over 200 years ago. We are aware of the basic notes of this fragrance but not much more. Amazingly enough, 4711 is as relevant today as a fresh citrus cologne as in its beginning. The opening of 4711 is sparkling citrus, featuring bergamot, lemon and orange. Bright, refreshing pure and simple just as it should be. The complexity starts with heart notes in a classic combination of lavender and rosemary. Many colognes have this make-up of citrus top and herbal heart, so 4711 remains true to its Cologne heritage. The floral neroli base compliments the citrus notes once again, keeping 4711 fresh and simple. 4711 is not a complex niche cologne, and wasn't intended to be. But, this is a great everyday leisure fragrance that does have a clean, fresh edge. 4711 is a great choice for wearing to indoor functions where you may be around many people who might take issue with heavy fragrances.

Longevity on 4711 is a bit deceiving. Some have complained that it is undetectable after 30 minutes but like many cologne type fragrances, they are composed of citrus and can be short on longevity. Citrus notes are fleeting on the skin and sometime all you are left with are some long lasting heart notes and sturdy base notes. 4711 does have a herbal heart which does last but the neroli base is just about as short lived as the citrus opening. 4711 turns into a great skin scent but be careful, if you find yourself in a situation where your body temperature rises due to either the room temperature or outside temperature. 4711 will definitely make a second appearance in a strong fashion. This experience with 4711 is completely unexpected and a bit of a pleasant surprise.

The large 400ml bottle is designed to be used as a splash and is best applied in that fashion. There are smaller sizes available and even one with a spray atomizer but to get the full effect, stick to the 1820 design splash bottle. It's fun to use.

01/02/2012

7Scent 2.5Longevity 5Sillage

Asphaltblume
45 Reviews

Asphaltblume

Very helpful Review 7

Fragrant medicine

For me, 4711 is not so much a perfume as a fragrant and refreshing cosmetic: I use it successfully to treat blemishes and small lesions (especially squeezed spots) and it works a treat! Often it even stops pimples in the making from developing and it speeds up the healing of ripe ones.
Beginning headaches can be treated by rubbing the temples with the cologne - it won't cure a migraine, but it eases the pressure.

The fragrance reminds me a little of my greatgrandmother - unfortunately when she was very old she tried to cover up small mishaps with it, and that didn't go well.

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