Cocaina en Flor Parera 1933

Joan Parera Casanovas founded the Perfumería Parera in 1912 and began creating fragrances in the back room of the family business. He was already familiar with the company during its best years between 1920 and 1930, when it implemented the production of his creations in carafes for bottling or in self-designed flacons. In the founding year, Joan Parera developed his most successful men's fragrance: Varón Dandy. Parera was transformed into a corporation in the early 40s.

He developed Cocaina en Flor in 1933; the fragrance became one of the world's best-selling and most popular perfumes of its time, similar to Yves St. Laurent's Opium in the 80s. Cocaina de Flor was a bestseller from Europe to South America - around the globe.

When I recently discovered one of the pretty flacons online, I immediately seized the opportunity and brought it home. After the first test right after receiving it, I had to admit that the women of the 30s were right. Cocaina en Flor - which translates to "Cocaine before completion" - is a scent that can be addictive.

Today, I tested it extensively, and I can't stop sniffing my wrist.

The initial spray releases hesperidic notes, but once the liquid has spread on the skin, the hesperidic notes disappear, making way for a floral scent that seems out of this world. I can't think of any perfume that I could associate with such a magical floral scent.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on the pyramid or the ingredients, so I am going by my instincts in determining the scent. I would definitely suspect jasmine, ylang-ylang, and perhaps another light, soft flower. I would also say sandalwood, as well as musk, oakmoss, and possibly a bit of rose might be included, but certainly many other components that I can't identify, which contribute to the volume and finesse of the fragrance.

I have not encountered a more beautiful floral scent so far, and I now know many, many floral fragrances. It is very, very unfortunate that such a wonderful scent no longer exists today. The dry, yet very warm and dark base tells me that I have one of the most beautiful floral chypres in front of me that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I will treasure this little flacon like my own eye; Cocaina en Flor is definitely my new No. 1!

The sillage is - unlike Opium - elegant and rather subtle, but by no means weak. The longevity is good.

I never thought that I would bring something so wonderful into my home and my collection with this small, simple, but pretty flacon with the old-fashioned label. Cocaina en Flor is truly a gem!