Item Description
4711 is a light Eu de Toilette with pleasing citrus and medicinal notes. It is refreshing, and it does not last long. One might bemoan its lack of longevity on the skin, or one may use it for those occasions where a temporary refreshment whose aftereffects fade quickly is desired. Apparently a number of people have that second viewpoint, as this concoction has been in production since 1792.
The formula for this “aqua mirabilis” or miracle water was given by a Carthusian monk to a young couple on the occasion of their wedding. They began marketing it, first as a medicine that could be taken both internally and externally. Later, in 1810, when Napoleon decreed that all ingredients for medicines had to be made public, the marketing changed to that of a Eu de Toilette in order to keep the ingredients secret. In that role it has been very successful through the centuries. Numerous luminaries, including Goethe, have used 4711. It retains a modest price. I bought my 2.5 oz bottle on E-bay for $4.75 shipped. That may be slightly under the market price, but not by much.
There is a fascinating press release on 4711 available at http://www.4711.com/english/presse/download/presse_01.pdf . It is a bit long to quote in its entirety here, but I do recommend downloading and reading it if this review tickles your interest. You will find there information on how 4711 got its name, the old recommendations for medicinal use, and a number of other captivating tidbits of information about this venerable old product.
There is a discussion thread for this review here.
The formula for this “aqua mirabilis” or miracle water was given by a Carthusian monk to a young couple on the occasion of their wedding. They began marketing it, first as a medicine that could be taken both internally and externally. Later, in 1810, when Napoleon decreed that all ingredients for medicines had to be made public, the marketing changed to that of a Eu de Toilette in order to keep the ingredients secret. In that role it has been very successful through the centuries. Numerous luminaries, including Goethe, have used 4711. It retains a modest price. I bought my 2.5 oz bottle on E-bay for $4.75 shipped. That may be slightly under the market price, but not by much.
There is a fascinating press release on 4711 available at http://www.4711.com/english/presse/download/presse_01.pdf . It is a bit long to quote in its entirety here, but I do recommend downloading and reading it if this review tickles your interest. You will find there information on how 4711 got its name, the old recommendations for medicinal use, and a number of other captivating tidbits of information about this venerable old product.
There is a discussion thread for this review here.
It is citronella!!! I can't believe it, but this stuff made me smell like bug repellent. 
