Oxford & Cambridge Cologne

The 2021/2022 Oxford & Cambridge Eau de Parfum comes at a time when well-established fragrances are being released in a new concentration (EdP, Parfum) for no apparent reason other than marketing, at the expense of the scent being 'tweaked' - something us fragrance freaks find quite insulting. Fortunately with Czech & Speake, this is not the case. Their existing "Cologne" concentrations suffered at the hands of regulation, with some being weakened or diluted. The result is the overall scent deviating from its original formulation. The current Eau de Parfum revolution at C&S began with its signature No. 88 fragrance, which - to everyone's surprise - matched the original No. 88 accord much more closely. This has now been followed by Oxford & Cambridge and Cuba. The modern version of Oxford & Cambridge cologne suffered from poor longevity/projection and its dry down did not feel quite right. Despite being one of the nicest herbal lavender fragrances currently on the market (dare I say a benchmark lavender fragrance) and having a genuinely calming and soothing nature, some may have hesitated to get a bottle. The new Eau de Parfum, however, has once again turned the tide and the result is a fragrance that remains true to its original accord, subtle and (thankfully) does not vanish after 30 minutes. Most importantly, the dry down (which is the part most will end up smelling) is much more pleasant, woody, yet herbaceous, with the lavender accord sitting nicely on top. In keeping with the overall theme of this lavender concoction, projection is moderate but not monstrous as some might expect. The progression of the Eau de Parfum is no different to its Cologne counterpart; it opens with some mint and rosemary, somewhat camphorous, but quite herbaceous before the lavenders kick in. The overall scent is supported by a delicate oakmoss, which is ever so slightly sweetened, but is by no means thick or syrupy. Ultimately, this is a scent that you wear to stay close to you and in any season apart from in the extreme cold. There's nothing 'dressy' or fancy about it, but I suppose it can come across as sporty. It's very laid-back though and will work equally well in smart-casual wear or your typical jeans and t-shirt. One final point. Given how calming this scent is, it's one of the best to put on when you are not sure what to wear, if you're having trouble sleeping, going through a period of stress, or are just not feeling well. Totally inoffensive and unobtrusive. Attention seekers need not apply.

Did someone say lavender? Yes! Lavender is actually a very common note in men's fragrances. As a fan of the fougere accord, I've been wearing scents containing lavender quite a lot - without even knowing it! It was never my intention to wear a lavender scent on its own. But that all changed when the heavenly accord of herbaceous mint, rosemary and mossy sandalwood combined with peppery lavender entered my nostrils. Oxford & Cambridge does not immediately come across as a sporty fragrance; Lavender is after all a light herb and is never overpowering at any stage - overspray this to your heart's content. The mint freshens it up, giving it a rather spring/summery feel, whereas the mossy sandalwood base creates a smooth, yet light woody finish to this nostalgic potion. There is also a very gentle sweetness from the heart through to the base that takes away some of the herb's bitterness in the opening. The name Oxford & Cambridge is quite fitting (as is the blue bottle!) and exudes a certain elegance reminiscent of the English country side, perhaps an outing to either of the famous cities on a rare spring Bank Holiday. To me, this is the ultimate calming fragrance: one to unwind with, wear on a lazy afternoon, on a picnic, a walk in the countryside, or even to bed!

Wasn't expecting to like this one so much - I live in a lavender-growing area and tend to avoid it in fragrances because of its noisy local-market-hand-soap vibe (derogatory). These profile notes gave me hope of something more robustly resinous, though, and this one didn't disappoint. I got the EDC; it's light on both longevity and sillage, more of an aftershave, and I love it all the more. It's absolutely unmistakably lavender, freshened by the mint but never cold thanks to the savoury rosemary and the unobtrusively cosy sandalwood sitting under it. The first few moments are sharp with camphor but openings never bother me; this calms into a discrete, uplifting, very polite air of lavender. Never cheap. Barbershop good manners without soapiness. Linear, but does its job simply and beautifully; I could easily forget I'm wearing it. For a statement I'd pick something else, but I'm delighted to give this a place.

Oxford and Cambridge is my favorite lavender fragrance, in fact it is one of my most beloved fragrances period. Caron has the lavender that connects me with my childhood and my father.............warm memories and good times. Oxford and Cambridge is sharp, crisp, clean and elegant. It exudes a sense of being refined, put together and in control of yourself. I love how the lavender, mint, rosemary and florals start the aromatic journey and gradually meeting up with oakmoss and sandalwood to create a slightly creamy and very sensual finale. I easily get 6+ hours of joy with Oxford and Cambridge.

I finally pulled the trigger on a partial bottle and I am VERY happy. Performance is better than I read from other's descriptions of this house and better than I expected. It shouts lavender in a fairly linear way at the beginning, but then as it dries down the other notes reveal a more complex, beautiful barbershop fragrance. I definitely recommend if you like lavender. Almost worth the price (definitely recommend at a discounted price). Also try Green Lavender by The Art of Shaving; it's similar and to my liking as well.