Refreshing Lagoons of Laos 4711 2021

Anyone who is even a superficial observer of the fragrance scene knows that the brand 4711 has long since moved beyond the beloved and hated grandma evergreen 'Original Kölnisch Wasser.' By this, I do not mean the significantly less known, but also very traditional solitaires like 'Portugal' (a huge hit in the Japanese market and really good with orange) or 'Ice' (so menthol that it eats away at the skin).

What is truly new, and what is increasingly making 4711 a genuinely differentiated and internationally reputable global brand for (affordable everyday) fragrances, are the three very successful series. The smallest of these is the Remix series, in which a reinterpretation of the classic 4711 is presented annually. The other two, the larger ones, are an Aqua Colonia series, whose titles typically consist of two ingredients (e.g., 'Blood Orange & Basil') and an Aqua Colonia Intense line, where the names of the fragrances always paint a geographical mood picture like 'Wakening Woods of Scandinavia' or 'Pure Breeze of Himalaya.'

In itself, this emission policy is already quite inflationary (analogous to Guerlain's endless Aqua Allegoria series), but I still keep at least one eye roughly on it: since I am somehow the Cologne uncle here, it is a kind of honorary duty. When I learned last year that a Laos fragrance would seriously be launched in the country series, I was, of course, immediately electrified and noted it down for upcoming purchase and testing pleasure. Because I belong to the globally small species of fans of the very small, very poor, and geographically extremely disadvantageous Asian landlocked state of Laos*. For several years, I proudly displayed the Laos flag on my Parfumo profile until I replaced it yesterday with that of Ukraine.

The fragrance is called "Refreshing Lagoons of Laos," and not only those who are old enough to remember the teenage softcore erotic film "The Blue Lagoon" with Brooke Shields from 1980 will raise a big "Huh?" because it was just mentioned that Laos is a landlocked country and therefore, by law, has as many blue lagoons as Luxembourg, namely none.

What is meant are not flat sandy beaches, but the (moderately) famous blue freshwater lagoons or caves along various river courses in Laos. Almost always, these refer to Vang Vieng, a small spot on the Nam Song River halfway between the "two capitals" Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Fortunately, most buyers of the fragrance do not know the background, as Vang Vieng is somewhat like the Ballermann of Laos.

European, American, and Australian backpacker teenagers with sunburn have habitually gotten high at "Beach" parties here for the last one to two decades, surrounded by loud music, Beer Lao, Lao Lao (the local liquor), and various mushrooms, only to then comatose themselves into the lagoon while groping or throwing up, thus experiencing the last refreshment of their lives. The marketing department of 4711 wisely did not pick up on these motifs in the advertising photo series for this fragrance. I find the images quite beautiful. Whether they are actually from Laos, I do not know.

Refreshing Lagoons of Laos is already quite far from a traditional Cologne, but the relationship is still recognizable. It starts unmistakably herb-bitter-citrusy, but in a gentle, mild, somewhat softened way. However, it does not come across as musky-fluffy, but somehow fruity (I think of mango) and above all actually really, really cool and refreshing. Pomelo with ice-cold, minimally sweet mango sorbet, so to speak. Above it blows a stiff aquatic breeze. This may sound overloaded, too fruity, or kitschy. But I must say, I really like it. And I can abstract from the 'Laos' in the title!

The cucumber indicated in the top note (which can always tempt me) I only perceive later, along with intense but still appropriately discreet tropical-floral notes and a highly interesting salty nuance, which briefly reminds me of my 10-point favorite Azemour les Orangers, even though the two fragrances have nothing to do with each other, of course. Even later, after about four to six hours in the dry down (Cologne Intense!), I actually perceive a light, woody base.

The fragrance is full and soft in overall impression, has a slight tendency towards the feminine, but pleases both Frau von Spee and myself well on me. It successfully combines classic citrus in a really successful way with aquatic, salty, and skillfully tropical association-creating restrained floral and fruity motifs. This is certainly not a "big" fragrance, but I consider it quite successful and innovative, will surely wear it more often, and (albeit narrowly) give it an eight.

It should be noted that 4711 continues its policy of engaging interesting, often young, and often French perfumers from outside for its three "series." Here, Elise Bénat was involved, who, as the fantastic Parfumo database reveals, has created a whole series of fragrances for trash brands, but, listen, listen, has also created several Amouages. And she has already collaborated with the great Fabrice Pellegrin, who has created, among others, Wanted, Bracken Man, and a whole series of Diptyque perfumes.

Voilà, I will see if this remains the only fragrance of all time ever named after Laos, will continue to observe the often seen 4711s, and so Buddha willing, I will also see Laos again someday.

Eighth visit to the café. Blog has been updated.

* Currently, it is almost impossible to visit Laos, as the country is practically closed to foreigners due to the Corona pandemic (or perhaps under the pretext of the pandemic). For those interested in Laos: one or two years ago, I wrote a small Laos series in my Parfumo blog.