Eau de Cologne Chanel 2007

Chanel released two colognes designed by Jacques Polge in 2007, Allure Homme Sport Cologne Sport and the Exclusif.

The strategy reminds me of that used by motor manufacturers who make their cars in a range of models to suit various budgets.
These two colognes are built around the same chassis of a hard and bright lemon & grapefruit accord. Allure is the basic, entry level runaround made to a strict budget, and Eau de Cologne de Chanel has all the trimmings you'd expect from a top of the range model.

They both launch on the same basic citrus accord, but here it's decorated with lime, sweetness, and powdery and woody nuances that soften the citrus and broaden its effect ready for what comes next.

It's when you get into the luxury floral interior that the real magic starts. With quality ingredients like bitter orange, neroli, and decent musk, as well as Chanel's own Grasse jasmin, rose, lavender and spice, it makes for a smooth elegant ride.

The other difference between Allure's basic saloon and the Exclusif limousine must be the care and attention lavished on the evolution and detailing. It holds a fine balance between shiny and matt, acid and sweet, hard and soft.
Crucially, the citrus head accord remains crisp and true deep into the floral heart, keeping the profile's integrity as a cologne. It feels as though its been made to the same standards of excellence as the EdT's.

Cologne de Chanel is classified as feminine but for the first three hours or so it conjours up for me Saville Row shirts and high class tailoring, but then, it makes a swerve to the feminine as the powdery sweet musky drydown starts to break through the citrus glass ceiling.

It's a traditional structure that relies on superb materials and great design for its success - rather than innovation - and so, in this conservative context, I think the mild sense of gender realignment that happens in the base is a negative.

However, despite that, this is one of the best colognes there is.

This is a very simple, classic lemon cologne. I think men can wear it very easily. I sprayed some on my father, and we both liked it on him. It's so refreshing and perfect for warm weather, like sweetened lemon water on a soft base of cedar. I really don't notice any spices, but in a way I am grateful for that as it would ruin the delicate scent of the perfume. It's very uplifting, not tart or sour; refreshing for summer or would be nice after a shower when you just want to smell clean and fresh. This is a perfume one wears for themselves, not to impress others.

SUMMARY: Sunny day in a lemon orchard

Eau de Cologne opens with sharp nose tingling lemon citrus with hints of supporting lime before the sharpness quickly fades as the fragrance transitions to its heart after less than 10 seconds. During the early heart the presentation turns to a clean fresh orange flower and green petitgrain tandem as its co-stars. The fragrance profile remains quite constant through the rest of its relatively brief life-cycle, with no change in the late dry-down to speak of. Projection is minimal with the fragrance almost a skin scent and longevity is relatively poor at about 4 hours on skin.

The sharp smelling sour lemon open to Eau de Cologne is almost aldehyde-like in its nose burning intensity, but it is one of the best presentations of natural lemon in a fragrance I have sniffed to date. After the all too brief lemon fades, the structure turns into that of classic Eau de Cologne all the way with its orange flower and green petitgrain tandem, though the execution in this particular one is flawless. I find it hard to grade Eau de Cologne because for what it is I can't find any faults with the composition but the problem for me is in the classic Eau de Cologne structure itself (or lack thereof). The fragrance goes through its entire linear life-cycle so quickly that while I love what I smell while it lasts, it fades all too soon and requires reapplying every three to four hours (and that is on fragrance friendly skin to boot). The bottom line is the $130 per 75ml bottle Eau de Cologne smells excellent and earns a solid 4 star out of 5 rating that would be higher if others did not exist with more tenacity and a similar quality profile at lower prices like my reference EdC, Cologne du Parfumeur by Guerlain.

Opens with a sharp citrus accord. When the alcohol has dried, I see a lovely citrus blend layered over pale woods and aromatic herbs. Once the citrus notes start to vanish and the herbal notes intensify, I'd say this fragrance is a sheerer Bel Respiro. It is nice mind you, but nothing special.

…….Then you may bind me in chains, then I gladly want to perish! (Faust)

Said and done.

This Cologne has “bound me in chains” and with regular use, I will financially “perish”…..*laughs* :-D ..!!

As the name suggests, it is a Cologne……there is a generous full-body fragrance application that is almost inherent to the system…….as well as the pronounced delicacy and fleetingness…….

But aren’t it precisely the fleeting moments that touch us most intensely…? That remain forever in our memory…? Does the beautiful and desirable not gain its special magic precisely because we cannot capture it, cannot hold it, cannot possess it permanently..?

CHANEL Eau de Cologne rightly stands on Luca Turin's list of the best Colognes……

The “darkness” and “heaviness” of current events have recently led me more towards bright, light, clear, and pure fragrances…….especially to citrus scents and Colognes…..

What distinguishes this Cologne from others I have tested so far is primarily the distinctly perceivable and exquisite Chanel elegance…….

While many citrus scents can sometimes come off a bit harsh and prickly or even sweet like lemon candy, CHANEL Eau de Cologne surprises with enchanting softness and refined sophistication……

As already mentioned in the statement, we encounter soft, powdery-fine lemon zest……interwoven with gossamer thin light green vetiver threads….floating…..on fluffy-sweet musky clouds……

A light veil of gentle freshness and elegant understatement envelops the wearer……transporting them to worlds far removed from all worldly concerns……to airier, brighter, and friendlier realms….

There is no notable sillage here…….but also no complete disappearance of the fragrance…….after about 30 minutes it is close to the skin and remains in this state for 3-4 hours……