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Gunpowder Cologne Urban Scents 2014

7.4 / 10 140 Ratings

A perfume by Urban Scents for women and men, released in 2014. The scent is fresh-green. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Fresh

Green

Citrus

Woody

Floral

Fragrance Notes

Bergamot

Green tea

Blond woods Musk

Musk

Lavender

Perfumer

Marie Urban Le Febvre

Ratings

Scent

7.4140 Ratings

Longevity

5.7113 Ratings

Sillage

5.4116 Ratings

Bottle

7.2106 Ratings

Value for money

5.432 Ratings

Submitted by Michael · last update on 07/02/2024.

Source-backed & verified

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What the fragrance is similar to

Imagination

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Oolang Infini

Orangea

Allure Homme Sport Cologne Sport

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions

09/23/2015

9Scent 5Longevity 5Sillage

Gaukeleya
109 Reviews

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Gaukeleya

Top Review 37

The olfactory white favorite T-shirt

... and it's a particularly well-fitting one. THE white T-shirt. The one you want to wear (almost) all the time. It has the perfect fabric quality, the perfect white, the perfect cut. It drapes smoothly around the body, doesn't sag, and doesn't constrict.
Put it on and forget that you're wearing it. Put it on, and then continue with life, whatever it may bring, undistracted, undisturbed.

It suits almost every occasion. From serious to casual, depending on how you combine it. For her & him. Slip into it and feel good. Feel attractive, yes, that too. To put it a bit pathetically: feel free. This T-shirt can do all of that.

Exactly what Gunpowder Cologne does as well. I spray the fragrance on and immediately feel comfortable. Nothing overwhelms me here, my blood doesn't rush in my veins, but I immediately notice: this scent-shirt is better than all the other white scent-shirts I have in my collection. This fragrance just fits perfectly, enveloping me in a bright, friendly aura that doesn't excite but rather brings satisfaction, perhaps also a sense of security and comfort in the exhausting moments of everyday life.

Bright, fresh tea scents exist like sand by the sea, especially in summer I love to wear them, this crisp, soft freshness that makes me smile and feel friendly. But Gunpowder takes it a step further:

the freshness is wonderfully soft and lovely, but not too sweet. Initially spritzed with a hint of delicious bergamot, Gunpowder soon exudes the aroma of soft, light woods, the gentle floral notes of lavender; and then of course: the aromatic, fine tea together with the powdery musk. Everything rounded and just ... perfectly embracing. With that certain something that other fragrances in this category lack.

The overall impression has something green, but not too strong or grassy: more like gentle sunshine penetrating the delicate mist over the meadow, softly blurred. This spot just *above* the meadow, not the meadow itself, is how Gunpowder feels to me.
And there are no surprises: the fragrance simply becomes a bit softer and rounder over time, just like the perfect T-shirt warms up more and more after putting it on and adapts to every body fold and movement without you even feeling it. Gunpowder melds with the skin and the self just the same.

I love this fragrance, which, despite its summery soft-fresh character, is quite present and has a medium longevity. Sure, it doesn't have a massive sillage, but that wouldn't suit it either. For a cologne, we have a performance here that shouldn't be underestimated overall.

What I also expect at this price. I'm still debating with myself whether I "need" Gunpowder. The harmonious and simply good feeling it leaves in me when I wear it suggests its universal usability. The famous all-rounder: it surely is, and when my sample eventually runs out, I think I'll treat myself to the perfect white T-shirt. At least the olfactory one.

04/01/2021

8.5Scent 3Longevity 4Sillage

FvSpee
323 Reviews

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FvSpee

Top Review 28

Neukölln 24 - A Hint of Nothing

Gunpowder Cologne from Urban Scents is, to get straight to the point, a beautiful, feather-light, extremely high-quality, indeed noble, spring and summer fragrance that I can wholeheartedly recommend to any friend or acquaintance of such waters at this time of year.

It belongs to the scents that explicitly carry the term 'Cologne' in their name to make clear what style, what olfactory genre awaits the wearer, but then clarify through the qualifying subtitle that it is not meant to be an Eau de Cologne in terms of fragrance concentration. This is the case with "Sunday Cologne Eau de Parfum" by Byredo, an excellent scent that is also part of my collection, and it is the same with this "Gunpowder Cologne Eau de Parfum," which is constructed quite differently in terms of fragrance direction (the image on Parfumo still shows "Eau de Toilette" on the bottle, but that no longer applies to the newer batches).

Moreover, Gunpowder Cologne also belongs to the group of (this seems to be a modern trend) light summer fragrances that gain their specific fresh note through a hint of tea. In this case, it is Gunpowder tea, a Chinese tea whose leaves or leaf tips are rolled into small (gunpowder-like) pellets, dried, sold, and brewed. Usually, Oolong tea is prepared this way, a slightly smoky intermediate stage between green and black tea. For those who are not yet familiar with these tea-fresh waters, the perfect test set can be found in the five-part (by five different perfumers) Bulgari series Eau parfumée au thé... (bleu/vert/blanc/noir/rouge). This is dedicated to black, green, and white tea, rooibos tea (rouge), and Oolong (bleu). I particularly like the Bleu variant created by Daniela Andrier, which has also found its way into my collection. That Oolong is again enhanced with lavender by Urban Scents. However, the significantly cheaper Bulgari is noticeably smokier and more pronounced and features violet and shiso, taking it in a completely different direction. The fragrance presented here, on the other hand, is infinitely more delicate and subtle, less smoky, and distinctly citrusy.

In my statement from about two years ago, I characterized the scent as "Bright citrus, perfect green tea, and a hint of champagne. Cheerful, sparkling, lovable," and I stand by that. As far as the fragrance notes indicate lavender and musk, these components are at most to be sensed; they do not play a significant role. At its core, I perceive an almost otherworldly cheerful bergamot-tea duo that has been lovingly crafted in all its details without excess, clownishness, or over-excitement, and has been polished until it sparkles like a diamond. The original fragrance note "light woods" plausibly aligns with my scent impressions, interestingly more at the beginning than at the end (where woody notes usually appear). Perhaps it leans somewhat towards cedar; indeed, a pine wood plank is not a precious wood, but it smells good nonetheless.

Without wanting to discriminate against the other (also worth reading - and all from excellent authors, so I find myself in distinguished company today) reviews, I particularly recommend the formidable comments by Parma and Gaukeleya to those who have become curious about this fragrance, as I believe they do justice to this wonderful scent exceptionally well.

If I cannot fully agree with Gaukeleya on two points, which I dislike doing, it is the bright white T-shirt association (I would rather associate aldehydic, musky compositions like, nomen est omen, Chemise Blanche) and the characterization as 'remarkably long-lasting.'

While I generally forgive Urban Scents fragrances almost any underperformance, as I first find that long-lasting wear does not fit the airy-light DNA of the entire brand, and secondly, I tend to forgive everything to the master. I even accept the minimal longevity of the more expensive In Between (and have even purchased the fragrance). However, in this case, the limit has been crossed for me; the scent is really just a hint of nothing on my skin: To achieve a real scent effect, I would have to spray twenty or thirty times, which seems inadequate to me at 180 euros per 100 ml. Therefore, I give half a point less than Parma and Gaukeleya, despite being a confessed Urban Scents aficionado, and I will likely not acquire the gunpowder.

09/08/2018

9Scent 4Longevity 4Sillage

Parma
279 Reviews

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Parma

Top Review 21

Green Tea and Earl Grey on a Velvety Musk Bed

In search of a somewhat suitable title, I also thought of the following:

They shoot horses, don’t they?

Please don’t shoot the pianist!

Gunpowder is a green tea!

Classic barbershop scent in a modern guise

This was related to the fact that I initially didn’t know that Gunpowder is the name of a Chinese green tea, whose leaves are rolled into small pellets and then dried. This way, they retain their aroma better and look like tiny shot pellets.
What I didn’t manage to include in the ultimately selected title is that, despite the clear tea influence, it represents a reminiscence of classic barbershop scents for men, like Rive Gauche. The impression is a slightly distanced, fresh-herbaceous, soapy-clean scent that leans towards the classic but does not feel dated.

Fragrance Description:

The fragrance opens with a refreshing, slightly citrus-tinged, lightly bitter green tea note, which is quickly supported and enveloped by a clean-creamy and slightly soapy note. I can’t distinguish individual notes here, but I think it’s the combination of lavender and musk, with musk being dominant. Possibly sandalwood-like tones are also involved, but they are only very subtly present. The tea note gradually transforms into the typical, slightly gray-bitter character of an Earl Grey. This gives the fragrance its slight coolness and distance. This bitterness is perfectly captured by the described flattering combination of lavender and musk, creating a beautiful balance between slight roughness and softness. As a result, the fragrance is neither too soft nor too bitter.
The clean, tea-spiced soapiness makes the fragrance clearly tend towards barbershop. Those who know the wonderfully balanced spicy soapiness of a Rive Gauche will surely find something to appreciate in this scent as well. However, Gunpowder is brighter, lighter, feels more modern, and is significantly more understated. One could say that it subtly supports the well-groomed appearance of a man.

As can be seen from the description and the components visible here, it is a rather uncomplicated and linear fragrance, which, however, still makes a very rounded and “full” impression due to its finely crafted ingredients and very successful harmonization.

In the Urban Scents brochure, perfumer Marie Le Febvre describes the fragrance as “(a) modern interpretation of long-lasting freshness with a refreshing olfactory infusion of green tea, Italian bergamot essence, and lavender, followed by light woody notes and a velvety musk finish.”

Longevity and Sillage:

Unfortunately, the “long-lasting freshness” proclaimed in the brochure does not manifest on my skin. I can only perceive it well for about 2 hours. The projection is very moderate in the first short hour and then quickly retreats to skin level.

Field of Use:

In principle, it is suitable for many situations and occasions, as it appears very understated and unobtrusive. I see it as appropriate for the office, leisure, more formal occasions, and even during sports. Its character seems rather noble due to the quality, but it can also be worn casually without any concerns.
Due to its freshness and lightness, it is more suited for spring and summer. In summer, the refreshing tea note comes into play particularly well. In the cold months, it will certainly have noticeable performance difficulties.

Bottle:

All Urban Scents fragrances are filled in the same dark blue glass bottle with the typical propeller symbol, which reflects the passion of the two business owners, the couple Urban and Le Febvre, for flying (pilots). It is very easy to handle. The nickel-plated brass cap, hand-turned in Italy, is very heavy and holds securely. The sprayer works quite well, but it does not hold up in comparison to, for example, Creed sprayers. The bottle is also handmade, this time in a glass factory in northern France. Overall, it appears as a beautiful, slightly understated combination of tradition and modernity that fits well into any environment and matches the character of the fragrance.

Background Information:

This blend is also the concern of Marie Le Febvre in creating the fragrances. She aims to create them in the tradition of classic, timeless, well-composed, and rather understated scents like those of Edmond Roudnitska (creator of, for example, Eau Sauvage, Eau Fraiche, Diorella, and Diorissimo, Moustache, Miss Dior, etc.), but to interpret them modernly. Marie also speaks of “reduced opulence” in this context. By the way, the connection to Roudnitska is not a coincidence but a deliberate choice, as evidenced by the fact that the raw materials for her fragrances are produced in the former perfume house founded by Roudnitska in Grasse.
From my perspective, she succeeds very well in her endeavor. All her fragrances from the 2014 collection, for example, have a special individuality that sets them apart from designer and other niche fragrances. They feel timeless, slightly reserved, and of high quality.

The name Urban Scents, as likely recognized by the mention of the husband’s name, combines that surname with the couple’s passion for fragrances and fits very well in the English translation, but has nothing to do with "urban." Marie Le Febvre originally hails from Versailles and learned her craft at the Ispica institute located there. She then worked as a perfumer in Paris, where she met her husband, a fragrance dealer from Vienna. They now live in Berlin and have a very nice, small shop on Bleibtreustraße, a side street of Kurfürstendamm in Berlin-Charlottenburg, where Marie's lab is also located.
Originally, their first retail store was located on Eisenacherstraße in Berlin-Schöneberg.

Conclusion:

This fragrance conveys a bitter green tea/Earl Grey freshness on soapy-clean lavender/musk and refers to classic barbershop scents. It is timelessly modern, unobtrusive, and perfectly supports a well-groomed impression. I like it very much because it comes across as beautifully unfragranced. Therefore, it is also a good choice for people who do not like to wear too much fragrance but still want to smell subtly well-groomed on certain occasions, away from the usual mainstream.

06/19/2016

9Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

DaveGahan101
535 Reviews

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DaveGahan101

Top Review 17

Cool name that really fits!

Somehow a really cool name for a fragrance, coming from a pretty laid-back and especially high-quality brand!
Gunpowder Cologne is not just marketing creativity, but it fits quite well with the scent itself, at least in many parts! Because GC starts off wonderfully ethereal green-herbaceous-citrusy with an extremely authentic bergamot, here I have to make the comparison with the Earl Grey tea tin again, extremely clean, invigorating, slightly oily, as if you were rubbing individual leaves or needles from the forest between your hands..pure nature. But soon a metallic note comes through, which stands in the spotlight with the (bergamot) tea. This quickly and easily reminds one of Amour Nocturne (there aren't many fragrances with gunpowder notes), similarly sharp and piercing as in L'Artisan's extraordinary scent, which, however, became a bit annoying over time or was somewhat demanding to wear.
Here it is simply exciting and veeeery extraordinary..this is niche par excellence..no beaten paths, extremely natural-sounding ingredients, every note easily discernible..this is how I like it!!! I couldn't identify the cause of the metallic note, maybe it's the interplay of the individual notes or the sum of bergamot, lavender, and musk. Especially the musk comes out beautifully after half an hour..I’m really into musk, not just since the beautiful Creed bases, yes sharp and slightly scratchy is this version..but it hits my preferences quite accurately.
All together, it results in a very intense and aromatic scent in extrait style, so anything but "cologne"...despite that, the fragrance feels light..intense yes, but not demanding...and still not something for every day.
I believe it can be worn equally well by both genders, even though it becomes a bit more masculine in the second half, it also becomes somewhat powdery..which fits the perfume name somehow. Cool name...great result..I will definitely keep an eye on you. Once again, a very interesting and valuable fragrance from Urban Scents!

09/07/2018

8Scent 6Longevity 5Sillage

DonJuanDeCat
2047 Reviews

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DonJuanDeCat

Top Review 9

Cowboys drink green tea before the high-noon duel!

Gunpowder. Gunpowder. For some reason, when I hear this term, I don't just think of general firearms, but more of the Wild West; I don't know why. Maybe it's because one of the most anticipated Wild West video games (Red Dead Redemption 2) is finally about to be released? Well, maybe! Besides, the desire to be a cowboy is deeply rooted in men, as this is one of the most common childhood wishes and apparently remains so later on, even if one wouldn't admit it :DD

Anyway, the term "Gunpowder" also immediately brings to mind scents that could have a rather "special" fragrance note, something you don't smell every day, which can either turn out to be really interesting and great, or downright bizarre... well, we'll see! Because you know how it usually is: All perfumes and fragrances always want to have "something new" under their noses, something never before experienced. But when you actually get to smell something completely new, it suddenly smells outrageously different and makes you want to run away :D
Whether it's scent notes like blood, sperm... (there are also, see Le Parfum - Orgie by Thierry Mugler) or tarnished metal (Demeter - Tarnish), one is never satisfied :D

Anyway, the name "Gunpowder" is definitely interesting and piques curiosity!

The scent:

Oooh! The scent starts off just the way I like it: beautifully citrusy and nicely smelling of (green) tea! Absolutely delicious! A light lavender note adds a bitter "taste" and gives the fragrance more depth (and possibly prevents the first two notes from evaporating too quickly, as they often are quite fleeting).
The background is slightly soapy, smelling like high-quality solid soaps with a wonderful lemon scent and light plant juices. However, the soapy feeling doesn't last very long.
A little later, the green tea unexpectedly becomes stronger and smells quite authentic, almost with that throat-scratching sensation you get when you drink a lot of this tea (do you know that? Sometimes there's a slightly scratchy feeling when enjoying green tea!). Olfactorily, it smells heavenly great :D
In the base, woods and musk come into play, although the musk is quite weak, making the scent appear rather unsweet. And even in the late base, you can still smell the wonderful and slightly bitter green tea, which, of course, continues to fade, but I find it somehow surprising that the tea lasts so long.

The sillage and longevity:

As with all such scents, the sillage here is rather average to weak. For oneself, it will be pleasant to smell for a while, but others will only be able to catch a brief whiff up close.
The longevity is quite okay for such a scent; I could smell it for five to six hours.

The bottle:

The dark blue bottle is rectangular with beveled edges. On the front, there is a transparent label (or the name is printed directly on the bottle,... I can't say for sure from here) with a double frame, the name of the fragrance, and a stylized propeller representing the brand's logo. The cap is chrome-plated and slightly trapezoidal at the top. It's quite nice overall.

Hmm... either I misunderstood something about the name "Gunpowder," or the manufacturer did, as the scent has nothing to do with gunpowder at all. Because the scent is neither smoky nor has a powdery smell. Instead, it smells cheerfully citrusy and green with bitter notes and, above all, with wonderful and long-lasting green tea. This makes it a simple but great companion in summer, which can also be used on very hot days.

One shouldn't expect too much, as it is weak in projection and others won't really smell it, but perhaps the projection will be different on really hot days. For example, with Chanel's Allure Homme Édition Blanche, it dissipated noticeably slower on hot and humid days for me than on "normally warm" days.

Be that as it may, I think the scent is highly recommended for summer and should definitely be tested. Especially tea enthusiasts like me should definitely check out this fragrance! :D

And again, I must think of cowboys, perhaps of the cultured (English) kind, who quickly drink tea at the start of a shootout and politely greet their opponent... before they subsequently shoot them down :DD

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