Ever since my father brought me my first bottle of 4711 to keep in the fridge to splash on during hot Los Angeles summers, I have loved cologne. By cologne I refer to the traditional refreshing scent that is largely citrus-based and cooling, and a genre all its own. Variations have been around for centuries, and it has been used to dab on with fine hankies in royal courts or spray with abandon in more modern times.One thing people complain about with a traditional cologne is longevity, but they are not made to last all day; they are made to cool you down, and refresh your skin and your spirits when you are overheated or tired.  I’m very glad that there is a resurgence of cologne on the market, and one of the best is Cologne by Etat Libre D’Orange.

"Splash" by Jaison Cianelli

When I smelled Cologne at Esxence, I said, “oooh, that’s nice!” Founder and Creative Director Etienne de Swardt then revealed to me that the tagline for this perfume is “A Nice Scent”. Etat Libre D’Orange is well-known for creating great perfumes with with aromas and packaging that are decadent and shocking, referencing bodily fluids, shady occupations, and general irreverence. In some ways, that they have released a perfume that is a classic cologne is in itself a bit subversive, because it’s such a spin in a different direction.

"Splashing Fun Time" by Alex Goh Chun Seong

Over the last couple of days, the weather has been perfect for wearing Cologne, and I sprayed lavishly. Cologne opens up with a nice sharp bite of bergamot and tangy blood orange. A bit of sweet orange blossom billows up from my skin, tempering the juicy citruses. As the perfume wears, I detect a hint of animal from the leather note, which seems to be a little bit of a testament to the traditional Etat Libre perfume fare. The longevity is typical for a cologne; I can smell it a bit after a few hours, but the real joy is in reapplying through the day to experience that eye-opening, reviving burst of juicy goodness. I recommend Cologne to anyone who enjoys an uplifting scent that is not necessarily totally clean. I will be adding a bottle to my collection, since weather forecasts say the West Coast is going to fry this summer.

Notes: Blood Orange, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Leather, Musk

I received my samples courtesy of Etienne de Swardt and Etat Libre D’Orange. Cologne is currently available on the Etat Libre D’Orange website and will be coming to stockists in the near future. 100 Ml for 100€.

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

Thanks to the generosity of Etat Libre D’Orange we have a 100 ml bottle to give to one lucky reader in the US, Canada or the EU. Let us know your favorite Etat Libre D’Orange perfume, what appeals to you about Cologne, and where you live. Draw ends May 24, 2014.

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.