CJS

Let me make it clear at the outset: I don't like to write cracks. And also the following lines are not to be understood as such. I have great respect for the performance Bourdon has delivered with this fragrance.

To describe Kouros as a milestone in perfume history is true, there is hardly anything comparable with mE (if there is, please comment).

The composition is also masterful, I mean that quite seriously and not cynically. The first thing you have to do is to copy a highway toilet with urinal, citrus stones and the liquids it contains. And even if it may sound disgusting, it's basically a compliment, because a great fragrance is supposed to create associations with familiar things. And Kouros succeeds excellently. It is indeed a great fragrance, a masterpiece. Only: do you want to be reminded all day long that you don't have an alternative (e.g. on a long motorway trip) and have no other chance than to visit such a place?

Now Pierre Bourdon is certainly one of the masters and pioneers of fresh fragrances (Creeds GIT, Davidoffs Cool Water, etc.). These are also milestones that have significantly established the aquatic genre.

It is incomprehensible to me how Bourdon in the early 80s "reached into the toilet" in such a way - in the truest sense of the word. Some of the best "Sport" and Powerhouse fragrances that remind us of men à la Tom Selleck (Magnum) also come from the 80s and show broad-shouldered: Watch out! Here I come! Chest (incl. hair mat) out and nose up! Wonderful representatives are Chanels Antaeus, Lacoste Original, Armanis Eau Pour Homme, YSL Pour Homme. My father still has his original Antaeus bottle from back then (also 1981!), which gave me the opportunity to compare the current version and the one from back then. Wow. Wow. Still extraordinary today, the 80's version is fluid, exuberant self-confidence and great perfume art made of beaver horny, leather and other notes, but still wearable at first sight! That was an extremely loud time, which is absolutely nothing bad.

And Kouros? A godlike scent? God forbid I ever get to smell a vintage version. The current one is full of animal Zibet, a lot of sweat and since days unventilated changing room! Anyone who does sports or takes a break on the motorway will know the sweet, sweaty and pungent mixture from the sports facility or toilet that we find unpleasant. But here you go! This is exactly what you want to get rid of and do the dishes with a fresh, cool shower after tennis, football or a visit to the gym! Or you can quickly escape from the village at the resting place in order to escape olfactorically! You don't seriously want to spray this fragrance on after the bath routine as a fragrance brand? And if so, why? Whereby also many of these whole current "sport" smells are nowadays also partly rather exchangeable windscreen cleaning agents...

But this perfume is made for people who have such a supernatural and unbearable self-confidence and ego that they don't mind taking proper criticism for it because they simply don't care. Such people also travel alone in a 12-person elevator, because there is no room for other passengers next to their ego and the smell in a narrow, closed room triggers escape reflexes. Those aren't nice qualities. Neither for a scent, nor character.

However, Kouros is one thing: very clear in his statement. It is a child of his time in the great family of the 80s fragrances, but certainly no more than the black sheep. Sure, this child also belongs to the family, but remains the outsider, the problem child. But it radiates a certain fascination that cannot be ignored. The child Kouros has certainly become softer and more accessible over the years, but you can still make an effort: basically you don't want to get involved with him and stay away from him.

The fragrance process is a total work of art, "suitable for all seasons", if you like. With heat it will surely get even worse and the Sillage even stronger than it already is. Shelf life? Like component adhesive.

The bottle meanwhile... is a perverse joke! It is bright white, has clear lines, reminiscent of ancient Greek columns and conveys greatness. A great fragrance must therefore be in it, the advertising campaign underlines exactly this image! That's true, but contrary to all expectations it's not a virgin-innocent, bright, airy scent, like fresh from the clouds in the sky above Olympus (Creeds Silver Mountain Water would be one of those for me). Kouros is a poisoned, dirty gift that doesn't make prisoners from the first second on. But no doubt great art.

I was just in the city and wanted to equip myself with all kinds of cleaning agents and bathing things at Müller when, due to toilet stone and chlorine smells of the household department, it occurred to me that FabianO had rated the Remix Cologne of 4711 so well and not as a better window cleaner. The normal 4711 is known and for me no longer a benchmark for a contemporary EdC, although it is definitely better than its reputation! Only with us in Germany 4711 has this grandma image.

I had no expectations to find this limited edition of 2017 yet, since the 2018 (smells like Orange Sanguine) is already out and apparently soon the 2019 version will follow.

But lo and behold: not only were there just three 100 ml vials left on the shelf, they were also reduced. From 19.95 to 7.95! Of course I took them all... Summer will hopefully come soon.

The fragrance is unmistakably 4711, but much more contemporary! A very positive surprise!
The granny neroli note is very reduced, the start citritsch fresh (natural aromas of lime, lemon and bergamot). A little orange and rosemary follow from the middle part. The petitgrain, a bit of lavender/floral notes remain for a good four hours after the fresh start and ensure a feeling of well-being and spring.
The durability is more than decent for an Eau de Cologne! Here the perfumers from the Glockengasse have succeeded a real hit! Too bad that this elegant "kölsche" water was not applied by default!

But well, my 300 ml will probably hold up a bit... If you catch this EdC anywhere else: strike blind! I can recommend this with a clear conscience and I generally do not buy a fragrance without having tested it.

What Tom Ford launches so all about Amalfi/Portofino/coastal or Whatever fragrances in different blue flacons is a joke, you put this EdC next to it! It is natural, classic, fresh, discreet and does the Eau de Cologne category credit. Acqua, the Parmas Ur-Colonia and all the Fords don't come with them. In terms of price this 4711 is a real "Aqua mirabilis", a miracle water! Unconditional recommendation to buy!

Maybe you'll get it somewhere in the sales! For me it was one of the bargains of the year...