Trafalgar Truefitt & Hill 1986 Cologne

For some a nemesis, for others a tremendous victory, and for yet others a beautiful holiday destination in southern Spain, that is Trafalgar.
I can wholeheartedly agree with my predecessors regarding the structure and composition of the fragrance and would rather focus on an interpretation of the scent and its time.

It was 1984 when this cologne was launched, not long after the Falklands War, which took place in 1982, and although it ended with a victory for Great Britain, it also marked a turning point for all involved: Argentina withdrew, wounded and grim, while Britain remained on a worthless island that was defended at the cost of many lives - a last remnant of the Commonwealth that a megalomaniac Argentine government wanted to annex without prior agreement with the British. Not to mention the enormous costs of the military adventure in the Malvinas. No wonder there had to be a "Trafalgar." Something patriotic and comparable... even if no one would seriously consider comparing the battle for the Falklands with Nelson's Trafalgar, right?
And here we are already at the figure of Nelson...
How can one imagine Admiral Horatio Nelson on his ship "Victory" on the eve of the battle? An English nobleman, deeply British, who was almost blind in his right eye (an old war injury) - those of us who are older may still remember the film "The King's Admiral" starring Gregory Peck. I think that is how one can imagine Nelson. Another war injury caused him to lose his entire right arm. Actually a reason to retire as a veteran. But for the English crown, he went back "into the field," together with his good friend Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. He would not survive this battle at Trafalgar and would be brought home in a barrel of brandy. The shot of a French sniper from the rigging of the opposing ship "Redoutable" ended the life of the famous admiral.
His opponent in the Battle of Trafalgar was the French Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve, who had already demonstrated his incompetence off Cape Finisterre and preferred to avoid a battle even if it meant falling behind.
He did not share the fate of his opponent and went into English captivity.
And so Trafalgar became an early beacon for Napoleon's downfall.

But this is just a side note, and back to the fragrance...
Trafalgar, which perhaps means "Cape of the West" in Arabic, is located in Spain not far from Gibraltar. The fragrance contains a special lemon: one that is not even present! However, to my nose, there is also something green-lemony coming through - this is how a green lemon actually smells. How this is achieved solely with jasmine, cedar, and the other listed ingredients remains the secret of Truefitt & Hill. I find this cologne very likable and particularly suitable as a spring and summer scent. It has nothing heavy or dark about it, which its name in connection with the battle and Nelson's death might suggest. Rather, it is an optimistic and straightforward fragrance. It is so good that I have acquired a bottle of it (along with the matching shaving cream - a must, as Truefitt & Hill is a traditional barbershop in London).
9 points for Trafalgar, which allows for so many different interpretations of its origin and is essentially just a very good and successful cologne.