Chanel No 5 Eau de Cologne

Review of three separate EdC bottles made c. 1970s Sometimes you’re just lucky. For me, it was when a collector-seller acquaintance of mine, who only owns or deals in superbly cared for vintages, happed upon three bottles of Chanel No. 5 EdC, all three bottled through the course of the 1970s. I purchased all three, and I now have nearly 350mLs with which to bask my skin in. Lucky, indeed. As vintage hunters will attest, sometimes a perfume just doesn’t age well no matter how properly it’s cared for. Fortunately I was allowed to test them with blotters before purchasing, and the skin experience reflects the confidence I had during purchase testing. And more. First thing to note is that the lively, juicy, sour, bitter, and a touch sweet bergamot opening has gone a bit vinegary. No surprise; that’s to be expected, and it lasts but for a minute. But the aldehydes - Chanel’s signature prismatic, effervescent, featherweight crystals - are still intact. If anything, they are better than Chanel’s current aldehyde material in that they aren’t quite as pointed, and the effervescence is more like gentle champagne effervescence than carbonated soda effervescence. When I say featherweight, I mean it; they float through the air on the breeze, gently twisting and turning. Stunning. Then the jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang heart.... The only other perfume with a heart like this that can make me collapse at the knees from intoxicated joy is a vintage Jean Patou Joy extrait. The heart of these old EdCs is still beating very strong. Oh joy of joys! - no pun intended. In this format, batch and age, the florals are far more abstract, seamless, and well blended than they are in the new EdPs and EdTs of the last couple decades-plus. This is a true amalgam, with the lines blurred to imperceptibility as compared to modern No. 5s where the lines of the three florals - where one ends and another begins - are a bit more apparent and the notes more crisp and high resolution. These old EdCs are Impressionist paintings, whereas new EdPs and EDTs are more like high res photos. Finally, the biggest and best surprise - and joy of joys - of these old EdCs is the dry down. In the new EdPs and EdTs the synthetic sandalwood plays an enormous role. Like Atlas the sandalwood is holding up the weight of new formulations’ dry downs, and the strain shows. The sandalwood is obviously synthetic, sharp, and not nearly as well-stitched to the heart and other base notes as one would hope. It’s good (batch dependent), make no mistake, but... these EdCs are another level. The sandalwood is real. Creamy, peppery, vibrant, sanded to an almost silken texture. But it’s a supporting role in the dry down, and quite minimal. No - the biggest and best surprises are the civet, oakmoss, and musks. The oakmoss is pumped up to the max - real oakmoss, not the shell of it used today. Wet, loamy, woody, it’s just gorgeous and steers No. 5 into a convincing chypre direction when partnered with the sandalwood. This is a drastic difference from what we have today. Then there are the musks and civet, the other drastic difference. These old EDCs are so sweetly fecal, animalic, and just plain dirty it tells you a lot about how tastes have changed over the last many decades. The civet and musks make these EdCs very nearly rude and filthy, and oh so much fun. Today’s No. 5s are seen as prim, proper, lovable by all, and present a calculated person - a beautiful, prim, and proper person worth adoring for sure - but these EdCs say “I am that person, but make no mistake that I have dark and improper desires below this pretty and innocent face.” The dry down of these vintages is absolutely magnetic, and eye-widening while a huge smile plants across my face. I made a mistaken assumption when I bought these, and could smell the dry down to a much lesser degree on a blotter, that what would make me the happiest boy a boy could be was if that floral heart remained intact and presented me with the No 5 I know and love, but having worn these EdCs for a week now I now know that so much more lay in wait. I knew, and expected, my vintage extrait to do this, but I had no comprehension that the EdC was going to be so magnificent. If you have the ability to get an old EdC, even if its provenance might be iffy, take a chance. Even if only one of two or three work out, you’ll be thankful you chased after them. Legend.

If I had to describe N°5 cologne in one word, I’d choose furry. Give me more and I’d go with balsamic and animalic. This long discontinued beauty is the closest to the original extrait, and even though it’s a cologne in name, it rivals most modern edp’s. Vintage mid 70’s splash bottle. N°5 eau de cologne, opens with dimmed brightness. You can sense the aldehydes in there, but they’re somehow dark. They’re not gone or flat, because there’s still a jolt and a sparkle that’s unmistakable. But they’ve somehow gone richer and deeper if that makes sense. They feel like velvet as opposed to freshly bottled chiffon lights. The floral heart, with undoubtedly real rose and real jasmine, is made deep and sensual with some heavy ylang and you can already sense a gorgeous Mysore sandalwood, a smoky and earthy vetiver, all wrapped up in some gorgeously potent nitromusks and civet. You can’t miss it here; they become the stars not long after it’s applied and they start stealing the show slowly but steadily. There’s also a ton of oakmoss, and leather even if not listed. The base is so rich and balsamic, with a swirling sweetness that feels like the finest licorice. There is 0 trace of sweetness as it’s known and used today. This richness here is fatty, unctuous and enveloping. It feels like a potion aged and macerated in ambery gooey sweetness. The oakmoss further deepens it and the leather provides a ‘masculine’ touch, lending a certain dryness that balances it all. Forget the traditional edc designation of splashing liberally for 30 glorious minutes of freshness. N°5 isn’t about it. There’s the same furry animal quality you find in the likes of Miss Dior, Tabu, Tigress, Joy, Shalimar and many more; an animal hidden and waiting to be unleashed with the warmth of skin. N°5 edc is basically a lighter extrait, and it shares far more similarities than differences. Think of it as a lighter pure parfum. The vintage edt does have more sparkle and feels more daytime appropriate. But as it dries down, the same animalic base emerges. Modern formulas have a glorious and bright aldehyde opening, because Chanel indeed does aldehydes like no one else, but after an anemic floral glimmer, they dry down as simple soapy scents. Finely milled soap of course, but just that, there’s no trace of the warmth and danger that abounds in the vintage formulas. Are they similar? Well, after many decades of tweaking and many perfumes that came after, you are better of with modern versions of First or Arpège, which have aged extremely well and convey the essence of N°5 far better than current iterations. Modern N°5 has retained the allure and mystery, the glamour, all that was lost through reformulations but only in image and marketing. It keeps bringing customers to Chanel but they have long abandoned their signature in favor of modern creations. Nothing wrong with that, but they should have taken more care in preserving their heritage. If posible go for vintage, there are still many formulas and bottles available, and leave the soapy and creamy scent of the modern version for the soap and body line. The ancillary products have more pizazz than the perfume line. Sillage and longevity is worthy of a full night with Marilyn. Breakfast included!

Goodness, all that was quite a read. Lots of great well-written reviews. Still, I'm always amused and not a little irritated at alount of ageism in perfume (not just in these reviews here, but in many of them for many scents). Who knew? Maybe it was always part of being young, but if so I don't recall it. All I know is, I'm glad there was no entire-world-sized room (aka - internet) of my peers back in the day, pressuring me to like this, hate that, and dictating that this was scent was "old" or that was "young". To me, my frangrance likes or dislikes were just what I liked or disliked, without the need for value judgements or catagorizing perfumes by age. Doing so says exactly zero about the scent, and really just reveals the ignorance and prejudices of the writer. But enough of that. I bought a bottle of Chanel No 5 EDC when I was 13 at a very odd discount center in my city - groceries, clothing, odds and ends, and perfumes. I had longed after it for quite a while, and I'm not sure how I came by the money, maybe my mom had pity on me. But it was a BIG DEAL. It cost a whole EIGHT DOLLARS. Big time. And it was my very first perfume. I was able to make it last until college, and I did use every last drop. Of course by then, my head was being turned by some other classics of the day - White Linen, Aliage, Obession, and a slew of others. And I never got another bottle of No 5 of any strength, for some reason. But it has always loomed large in my olfactory memory. Call it my first love. Fast forward a bit, and I have recently found myself bored with the scent offerings at the usual places, like department stores, etc. I've found a few I like in recent years, but too many scents are utterly unmemorable. Not horrible, just...boring. And they just do NOT last. And No 5 in its current iteration - the eau de parfum, was not speaking to me. (The eau premier may get a second sniff though) So the deep dive into the virtual perfume world has commenced for me. I've had great fun sampling and getting decants, and have already found some keepers. But I still wanted that No 5. So...tada! I finally scored a still-sealed bottle of vintage 60s-70s (probably early 70s) EDC on eBay. After cutting my finger on the foil (dang but they meant that thing to stay sealed!) I got a whiff of my youth. It was as lovely as I remember. I don't have a huge or even large, perfume vocabulary yet, but I can certainly identify the blast of aldehydes at the open, but those I've always liked just fine. It settles down pretty quickly though, and just hums along with what I can identify as jasmine and orris, and the other stuff I have no ability to tease out, until it finally gently leaves with some faint vanilla and musk. It seems softer than I remember - maybe it's just my nose at this point, or maybe it's because we're both older now, this bottle and I. But it lasts pretty well - say about 4-5 hours, and stays pretty close to the skin, probably due as much to having to dab rather than spray. Overall, still a gorgeous elegant scent, great for any age. I'll be wearing this bunches, so I'll be on the lookout for another bottle.

Chanel No 5 Vintage Cologne The first time I met her she sat on a shelf at the Chanel boutique in Paris on one of my visits circa 1959. At the time I was engaged to be married and excited about buying French perfumes. For a long time I avoided this fragrance, which even by the 50's was overrated and commonly used by everyone and their mother, so I thought that this perfume would not be for me. It was raining and I forgot my umbrella so I had to walk into the store under my fiancé's umbrella. The sales lady looked at me like I was from another planet, even though we were both European and my country was only across the Channel and my country had saved her country from the Nazis! The opportunity was there and so I bought Chanel No. 5. I was asked to sample it but I chose not to and to discover the scent for myself when I got home. My mother never wore this as she preferred Chanel Cuir de Russie Chanel No 22 and Chanel Gardenia. The first whiff was an orgasmic aldehyde. Such beautiful fresh brilliant and old timey perfumy aldehydes. These were the very first aldehydes in the history of perfume. Beautiful. The aldehydes settle down and a powdery iris and rose scent emerge, my God. So floral and so pretty. Womanly, feminine, elegant. It seems to be based on the rose but it's not a rose perfume. The florals are very lovely but they quickly turn spicy and musky. The base notes contain civet and musk, perhaps a touch of leather and plenty of vetiver and oak moss. I had experienced moss and civet before so I was able to take it. In the end I sighed with relief. This was a gorgeous perfume when it was selling in the Golden Age of Perfume and still is. If you give it a chance, the cologne, with it's amazing projection, sillage, longevity and aroma, can seduce you and enchant you. It's a perfume that begs to be loved, to be treasured. It's iconic and the perfume of perfumes. I wear this infrequently so that I wouldn't smell it too much and enjoy the scent the few times I do wear it. It always feels like an old friend, a friend that waits for me patiently to meet up with her again. No. 5 is a fragrance of aldehydes, roses, iris, powder, musk and moss, a perfume of enduring appeal, ageless, timeless, captivating, a fragrance that has stood the test of time and continues to be the most recognized and famous fragrance of all time.

This is my very first Chanel and my second vintage buy. This formula seems to appear very frequently online, and often times for decent prices. My 2 oz bottle I assume is from the 70s or 80s. This opens with those classic Chanel No. 5 aldehydes, which seem to be amped up in this formula. This settles into a beautiful woodsy-powdery-musky accord of ylang ylang, rose, and jasmine, with sandalwood, oakmoss, vetiver, amber, and a light offering of musk underlying the flowers. The airiness of the aldehydes also still linger for a little while in the dry down. I haven't smelled civet by itself, so I can't single it out here. This is very long lasting for a cologne. I still smelled traces of it hours and hours after I applied it. This will certainly last you a good 8+ hours. This has such a deep, rich, velvety quality that current formulations just don't have. This is closer to the No. 5 that Marilyn Monroe wore and loved. This reminds me alot of the current EDT, and slightly of my Coty L'Aimant, however L'Aimant is a bit sweeter and fresher than No. 5. This also reminds me of my grandmother's vintage EDT that sits on her bathroom shelf. That too, has this rich, velvety, deep, woodsy quality that modern No. 5 lacks. The fact that this was ever reformulated is a tragedy. I personally loathe the IFRA for it's silly and unnecessary restrictions on ingredients. A warning label would suffice. My mother has horrible allergies, and almost no perfume would work for her. Most people with allergies already avoid perfumes. Reformulations and restrictions have ruined the best and most iconic fragrances. I guess I can only hope in the future that regulations are rolled back, and more research is done on synthetics to improve them and verify their safety. I hope that one day, No. 5 and other great classics will smell like this once again and be closer to Earnest Beaux's original formula.

The brightest of aldehydes and the smoothest of florals grounded by a warm, woody base with a hefty dose of civet to really jazz things up. My favorite No.5 concentration is and always has been cologne. I find No.5 edp a bit too dusty but I thoroughly enjoy the edt, whether current or vintage formulation. If you have no access to on-line discounters for cologne I'd recommend edt over edp a thousand times over. BUT, if you DO have access to individual on-line sellers via ebay, the long-discontinued cologne version is the one I'd tell everyone to purchase. It's the version I first wore as a teenager and the version I've repurchased most often over the years because it sets my heart to going pitty-pat with excitement and pleasure. My latest 2oz splash purchase of nearly 10 years ago was down to the last drops when I bid on a barely used 4oz bottle last week. Much to my surprise I won that bottle for just over $35.00 USD with shipping included! It arrived today and I'm in Chanel heaven! No.5 cologne is warm, comforting and sexy in a "Come here for a hug before we get down to business" inviting way unmatched by many bolder that shout, "Hey, I'm naked over here!" No.5 cologne is classy sexy. Need I say more? Edit: I just received a note from the seller that says: "Enjoy your trip to the past! Back in the day at my high school, No.5 cologne was the choice of girls with MONEY!"

First impression. No 5 Eau de Cologne by Chanel Paris may be dated, but it’s still a perfume masterpiece. Perfume connoisseur’s should try this classic once to get a feel of the Top, Middle and Base notes. It was created by perfume artist Ernest Beaux. The opening opens up floral feminine, but as it progresses to the middle notes it becomes unisex. It becomes a beautiful “Pepe Le Pew” musky clean scent that isn’t offensive at all if others do get a whiff of you. I could see why this was sexy during its era of the roaring 20”s with the sexy flapper ladies being very liberal as women. Definitely a beautiful lipstick alluring this. The florals are there, but very minimalist, thereby making it a fresher, greener cologne that a pretty boy guy could also wear, especially back then. Like a Gatsby type scene. Some metrosexual guys wore this during the 80s. Like the “A-Ha” type, lol. This is dated because there are so many beautiful sexy perfumes that women and men can wear that are created, recently. “Layton” for men and “Poison girl” for women; just to name a couple. I’m glad though that I have a vintage bottle from the 50’s, so it’s like a collectors piece for me. Keeping it and probably would only wear when I’m chilling at home by myself. Just for personal enjoyment on rare occasions. Therapeutic. I will update the dry down and final thoughts in a following post!

Allow me to pay respect for the one fragrance that has literally been in existence for our entire lives! Nearly 100 YEARS have gone by since the original release of this Classic scent. 1929 was a long ass time ago! Of course there are differences between the Cologne & Perfume, New vs Vintage, etc. I personally have 3 Vintage Bottles of Chanel No 5 Eau De Cologne & I will continue to purchase it whenever I come across a good deal. Why? Because it's MAGNIFICENT! Chanel is the ONLY fragrance that seems to get better with age. Almost everyone has kept an old bottle of perfume around only to reopen & gag at the overwhelming scent of rubbing alcohol. NOT true of Chanel! IF you find a Vintage bottle, buy it! My "Chanel Grandma" wore only Chanel Jackets, Chanel Shoes & only carried Chanel Bags. Of course her signature scent was Chanel No 5! And like most young women the thought of smelling like my Grandma was definitely not sexy & was NOT happening. Then I found an old bottle & opened it, it was a flood of emotions, my senses were all over the place. A rush of euphoria in a bottle! I'll be 40 something in a few days & perhaps it's maturity, memories & a respect for the Classics but wearing Vintage Chanel Cologne is like Updos & Opera Gloves -Timeless Elegance

I hated this as a teenager (1980s) - too strong, too overpowering. Ugh. Some dark element (so probably the oakmoss?) was so overwhelming I couldn't even identify anything else present. I haven't smelled any store bottles since. A few years ago I inherited an almost empty perfume purse spray that is probably from the '80s at the latest, and I absolutely love it! Like Pavlova's reformulation, it apparently has to be allowed to age and mellow, like fine wine, before I can tolerate it. [I myself may have aged, but haven't mellowed much!] I can sure smell the Ylang Ylang in mine, which my poor youthful nose couldn't even locate in the fresh store bottles I'd sniffed. I have since found an exceptionally well priced largish vintage EdC splash through ebay, and it is divine. I've lived with many EdTs who didn't have nearly the longevity, sillage, nor backbone which this cologne possesses. I sniff at my arms many times a day/night when I wear it, to experience the mysterious, magical, always elegant, and delicious changes it makes. After many hours pass, it shifts into being almost nothing but amber and ylang ylang, and it is magnificent. I'm certain that God's Wife wears Ylang Ylang :D [edited and moved post from EdT]

I've already reviewed this below, but the weather is growing cooler here again and I just applied CN5C preparatory to going to bed. I like to try things out when I can concentrate on them. And once again it is blowing me away with its beauty. I think everyone who loves this scent in all its formulations is baffled by those who call it stinky and old lady. But, and this has been said before, if you judge it from the bottle or immediately after applying it, you are really incapable of judging it properly. At first it is a little, well, dense and maybe even repulsive. But just wait, baring unfortunate skin chemistry, in just a few minutes it becomes the most enchanting, rich, complex floral/woody/musky/aldehydic potion. Moderate sillage, so you shouldn't offend any but the most scent phobic, unless you literally bath in it. It simply isn't overwhelming, so how can it can be "stinky"? "Old lady? Well, fruity, it isn't. Just ease into it. Let it sneak up on you...if it doesn't work with your skin, part amicably and let those who it does work with, enjoy the experience. Peace out.

So many wonderful versions of No. 5 but I have to say other than the Pure Parfum, this one is my favorite. It can be a daunting process to find a well kept vintage. From my experience, if it has even the slightest "Nail Polish Remover" smell, it may have completely turned. Purchased quite a few over the years and most ended up smelling this way. Thought this was how it was meant to smell. On the turned ones, the main note was civet. You could almost detect No 5 but the Civet was so heavy in the drydown it would almost bring tears to my eyes. Recently, I purchased one that was properly stored and upon opening the bottle you could detect No 5 with almost no alcohol undertones. Upon applying, the aldehydes, amber, vanilla, orange blossom and Ylang-Ylang were present. Civet started to come through around the two hour mark but it was so light and pleasant. This wore on me for 8 hrs and sillage was moderate which in my book is perfect. Most fragrances disappear on me after two hours. If you are able to find a well preserved one, snag it up and try!

The cologne spray of N°5 is a vintage pleasure that surprised me when I first smelled it, and still surprises me every time I reach for it. As I think of the parfum/extrait as being full, rounded, and balanced throughout the opening and dry down, picture the cologne as the complete opposite — with it being all over the place but as another beautiful facet of N°5. The opening will almost knock your socks off, as the aldehydes, musks, and civet push full speed ahead into your nostrils and down your throat (it's that intense). Imagine inhaling a snuffed-out candle, with its waxy residual fumes, paired with the animalic qualities of the civet. But wait, what's this? Under that forceful opening lies the heart of N°5 with its floral accord of rose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. The aldehyes and civet are tamer now, and the gorgeous florals and powdery base comes to embrace and comfort you after that eventful roller coaster of an opening. The cologne of N°5 gives me a wild adventure with a beautiful ending, and I absolutely love it.

I burst out laughing when I first smelled this. This EDC has the 'aldehydes' that people THINK they are talking about. No 5 EDC is bursting with multi-layered, musky, rich, stinky, offensive ALDEHYDE goodness! My my this stuff is practically illicit--really probably is, as I'm sure the ingredients are now banned by the powers that be. Anyway the top notes are a piece of living history that no longer exists in perfumery. No way would someone dare putting something this animalaic, this rich and unclean in a perfume! The topnotes burn off to give a rich, sweet, rosey jasmine, so lucious as to resemble actually smelling from a huge red rose during the month of June...beautiful...the drydown becomes vetiver/leather/wood/incense...also this perfume has a blended quality that most perfumes just don't have anymore, a sense that the scent is hiding something from you, and certain conditions will turn notes on and off. I highly recommend the EDC...it is easily found on Ebay, relativly cheap, and one-of-a-kind...

Devastatingly beautiful... This is something which should be preserved forever as an example of pure joy and beauty. An iconic fragrance. I am male, but I have huge respect for this beautiful piece of art. I my self have worn Shalimar in Eau de Cologne concentration, and like 'krmarich' I actually can't stop myself wearing something so beautiful and timeless as this. It wasn't such a big step for me as I used to love the floral aldehyde feel of "Tabac" by Maurer & Wirtz. Except the later had a prominent tobacco vibe. The Eau de Cologne is vintage and generally much stronger than the modern formulation. That being said, the floral aspects of it are to die for, and the projection & sillage are astounding. In short, I just want to say... I think every woman should smell like this at least once in her life. Please, enough with the countless generic teen florals etc. When you get tired of them, and want men to treat you like the lady that you are, you can't make a better statement than this. Timeless.

@sfdla I agree completely. I first tried a hand me down from my mother in my early 30s and thought this too mature. Now, mid 30s, I can't believe I ever thought so. It's beautiful, soft and powdery but not waify, graceful, and self-assured. There's not much to say except, to me, No 5 eau de cologne is Every Woman. She is a chameleon, not in a shifty, devious way. No 5 is a supporting actress to the wearer. I think whatever style the woman who wears No 5 cologne is, that is what No 5 becomes. Marilyn Monroe wore this, and so it became sensual. For me, I am more reserved but sweet, and my No 5 follows suit. I can even see where No 5 could be edgy on the right person. I'd hate to reduce No. 5 eau de cologne to being deemed versatile, but it is in the same way that the little black dress will always be versatile but stylish in all its interpretations. sillage - 2 sprays and about an hour of heavy projection settling into soft wafts longevity - 4-5 hours then skin scent wear - my review says it all

If ever there was a No 5 for men, I imagine it would smell something along the lines of this. I recently got a vintage bottle, all I know is it’s pre-1976, and I fell in love immediately. This is a darker, dirtier take on this classic fragrance with an alluring and sexual character. The Eau de Cologne is still all about the classic powdery aldehydes and floral medley of ylang, orris and rose - however this is noticeably more animalic. A much heavier dose of civet and musk give this scent a more masculine and animalic edge. It’s got some filth and some skank but in an incredibly addictive way. I also feel the patchouli and amber base is more prominent in here, creating an incredible alternative to No 5 which is more suited to the colder weather. I really have no idea why this was called an Eau de Cologne when not only is this scent animalic and very strong, but the perfume concentration is 25%. Nevertheless, I love this stuff and I would recommend anyone to seek it out.

When I wanted to experience Chanel No. 5 for the first time, I went for the EDP... and it was just "nice" (my review is there on the 1986 EDP page). Now this vintage cologne. MUCH BETTER! I love vintage scents that smell OLD because to me... that is the best part. To put a vintage perfume on, sit back, and relax. Maybe I'm reading an old book or watching a Jean Harlow or Marilyn flick. This does remind me of Chantilly, which I also have in vintage cologne. I can't explain this vintage No. 5.... it's just... wonderful. And I agree the drydown is TO DIE FOR (soft sweet powder/vanilla) but I only get the drydown on my skin- and my skin eats perfume too quickly. However, as it is on skin/clothing... I get a vintage vibe... an aura of that era! It's powdery, sharp, musky, floral, vintage-y, soapy.... it's just divine. Well blended because I can't pick out one note... I just know I love it. It's one of my favorite comfort scents.

Wow -- this cologne is the only cologne I love. I have vintage and new perfume, edt and eau de parfum. I won an unopened powder and cologne set (late 1970s) and I only wanted the powder. I have usually shunned colognes as inferior. Well after reading the reviews of the cologne i tried it and it is devine, gorgeous, lush and I'm wearing it now. It is a must and there's lots on ebay. I'm getting a few more bottles. It's high quality and not a watered down version of the perfume. It's a stand-alone stand-out. This vintage has strong civet and aldehyde. This feral flower combo isn't skanky to my nose, but is so interestng and complex, exotic even. I dare say the very vintage no. 5 cologne is right up there with vintage Lanvin My Sin. If ypu don't like civet you might not like this. This is seriously great stuff. And I think it would be wonderful on a man who was comfortable about who he is.

I remember disliking Chanel No. 5 as a child...but then I disliked most of my mother's perfumes. They smelled like...well perfume; not the recognizable flowers or spices which I loved then and still do. However, recently I acquired a vintage bottle of CN5 eau de cologne and although the smell from the bottle was not that enticing, when I put it on my skin the magic happened. This is wonderfully warm, soft and meltingly natural smell on my skin. Not the overwhelming blast in your face of the last decades of 20th Century or the repetitive fruity vanilla sugars/white floral woodys of the current. This is as natural and soft a scent as I have ever smelled. There are roses in there and civet and citrus and a whole world of wonderful things that blend and elevate one's natural scent into something that is so much more and an enduring pleasure.

What's striking about the cologne version, is that it was much more long lasting than many eaux de toilette of today. I'm unsure this version of Chanel 5 is still available on market, but I remember when I was a little girl an aunt of mine used to use the Cologne version and, after seeing my eyes staring at the big bottle on her drawer, one day she gifted me with it. It was her bottle, half used, half loved and I never used it, but fully loved it, yes. I loved to sniff it and I remember, many years after, when I finally gifted myself with a bottle of eau de toilette (and eventually eau de parfum) that this cologne was more, more, more in any sense. It has the scent of time, of what Chanel N°5 has embodied, it was not the reformulated version, it had a totally different allure, yes. It was beautiful and needed no plastic surgery.