Spanish Leather Cologne

A surprising number of reviewers seem to focus on leather, perhaps not strange for a cologne named «Spanish Leather». But Spanish Leather is not constructed to imitate leather, and being created in 1902 it did not contain modern aroma chemicals such as Isobutyl Quinoline. It is rather a concept or a composition that derives from «Peau d’Espagne» meaning exactly the same. Historically, sources on Peau d’Espagne can be found from approximately the 17th century, and to me it seems as if Trumper took inspiration from the recipe found in the 1872 _Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes_ by William B. Dick. His recipe is not for a cologne, however: «Peau d'Espagne, or Spanish Skin, is merely highly-perfumed leather. Take of oil of rose, neroli, and santal, each 1/2 ounce; oil of lavender, verbena, bergamot, each 1/4 ounce; oil of cloves and cinnamon, each 2 drachms; in this dissolve 2 ounces gum benzoin.» Pieces of leather infused with this composition could be placed in your pocket or in your drawer and last for years. So it was not an effort to hide unpleasant scents from the tanning process, or anything. If you look at Trumper’s own site instead of here, you will also see that the notes listed correspond almost 1:1. At any rate: Trumper’s cologne has in my view very successfully taken that composition into their barbershop and added some soapiness that reminds me of the soap bar «Imperial Leather» that my grandfather brought home from the UK in the 1970s. Compared with the quite lighter Acqua di Parma’s Colonia from 1916 it is obvious to me that amplifying the soapiness in colognes was quite a thing in the early 20th century too, and everyone interested in historic aspects of perfumery should try both, at least for reference. I personally love the way SL works as a pseudo-animalic, pseudo-leathery, barbershop scent. It sort of strikes that special balance where the rose, geranium, lavender and musks play together in such harmony that you stop trying to single out the components, but just enjoy the product as a whole. 4-6 hours tenacity, a bit longer as an intimate skin scent. Smells very traditional, but there are great nuances here still setting it apart 124 years after its release

I thoroughly enjoy Spanish Leather but the price is high most places for something that isn't well known outside of wet shaving circles or done by a designer/niche house. It's also hard to come by a legitimate retailer outside of the UK. That means if you go the international route you'll be looking at some heafty shipping and possible import fees as well. I was lucky enough to pick up a 50ml bottle of the spray cologne for $50 from a shaving supply site I frequent online here in the US. Still a bit pricey to me. That said I'm no snob, I own some expensive high end fragrances and hundreds of cheaper ones ranging from drugstore aftershaves to offerings from Coty and the like. I just wish the larger bottles were easier to find and readily available like other brands we often find discounted. As for the scent Spanish Leather is absolutely stunning. It's a warm herbal soapy masculine scent that transports you back a hundred years in an instant. The longevity and performance are great as well. I'll often catch this wafting around hours later which means others can definitely smell it on you. This reminds me of my grandfather, a dark Mediterranean man who was tough as they come but also kind and humble and called movie star handsome. He grew up dirt poor the youngest of 11 siblings all working their hardest to survive. A man who at 18 went and served four years in some of the worst battles of the Pacific during WWII with the USMC and remained a caring person who was always there to help others but could bring down hell if you crossed his loved ones. He built his own businesses from the ground up and was regarded highly by all who knew him. His name still has a legacy that people bring up when mentioned to this day. That's the type of person this scent manifests to me. Someone who's a gentleman, a leader, a scholar, a legend, and a badass all in one.

A nice, clean, spicy leather without much of the fluffy sweetness or harsh mustiness that bother me in most leather scents. The beginning is very alcohol-laden compared to other Trumpers scents, but this dissipates soon enough. It has the lighter parts of Bel Ami that I like, without the dirtier, dated parts that come through at the end of a good sniff. If the name hadn't clued me into the subtle leather, I would have almost just called it a spice scent, especially toward the base. It's a bit more high-pitched than I'd like, with a honey-like aspect, but the strength is just right (strong for Trumpers!) and the mix of spices is pretty nice. I recall Truefitt and Hill's SL being even more of a spice-only, low-leather scent, and because of that it's closer to my normal preferences, but realistically the Trumpers is a good leather scent for me.

It seems to me that the cities in Italy all have a distinctive fragrance. Rome smells of mouthwatering Italian cooking, Venice of salt sea air with a splash of a Negroni cocktail. Then there is Florence. Right after it rains in Florence, and I am walking through the open-air leather market I am engulfed with one of my favorite smells of Italy. Leather. Leather worked as belts, purses, shoes, backpacks, hats and even bracelets. Geo. F. Trumper's Spanish Leather in my mind is really Italian at its roots. Rich to the touch, sensual to the smell, Italian leather works are so entrancing as is this beautiful fragrance from London. One of my favorite leather fragrances that it right up there with other class acts such as Aramis, Valentino Uomo and Dior Homme. Bravo Geo F. Trumper Hai conquistato il mio cuore al primo odore.

If you want to smell like British 'Old Money', despite its name, this is it. Deeply fresh and aromatic with herbaceous rosemary, and an Earthy green patchouli. Warmly spiced with cloves. Sweetened with a gentle, almost ethereal touch of rose and flowers. And here is the magic... SOAPY, creamy glory from musks, lavender, vanilla, and sandalwood. This is a real signature scent. For the refined man. It's just powerful enough to entice those around you for 4-6 hours before becoming the most glorious skin accord. It has pops of 'old world' while remaining fresh, clean, and modern. A smooth operator. You'll feel like a Captain of Industry after applying this. And no... it doesn't smell of leather ;)

This is an excellent cologne. I have worn since 2006 and women love it on me as a close scent, I have even had compliments on it during more intimate moments. Never tire of it and it lingers for more than 5 hours. best applied gruffly to the neck and jowls. makes you feel earthy and suave. Update 2011: have been wearing Guerlain's Habit Rouge for a year and spanish leather from trumpers now offer a shaving cream and body wash which I will use to layer beneath my HRouge as so many notes are shared.

I bought it for my husband, but we share it. It's not so sharp as I got it earlier. This is a warm patchouli leather with an elegant floral heart. I feel rose, geranium and patchouli, this is a great example of patchouli perfume. It is very unusual, after 15-20 min it turns more floral, less sharp. (Candlelight, castle, nice car or better horses, old polished furniture, huge fireplace, special Christmas...) I bought it in Carmel (CA), a magical place, built for this fragrance.

I really like this. I'm a fan of Trumper's products in general however this is a real little gem. It can be layered with the lime cologne like others on here have stated and it is great. This is a close skin scent (unless you throw it around a bit) and is a very classy understated old fashioned fragrance. I'm going to buy the large refill 500ml (currently using a 30ml for testing) and will use in smaller atomisers for when I'm out and about. Great Stuff! :)

In no way shocked, so far this is the most green thumbs up I have given to other critics remarks to a scent. What can you say that has not already been said below. Nothing really other than it's one scent that should be used at least once by every man, the chances are you will find yourself using it for the second and so times thereafter. Leathers don't get much better than this one!

This is a debonair little number. Refined, reserved, but not tight-lipped, Spanish Leather is all earnest charm, no pretense. I will concur with other reviewers that it is reminiscent of saddle soap, but also freshly brushed suede, with tastefully applied rose and geranium accents to round off the edges of the leather.

The best Geo F. Trumpers cologne. I've owned most of them during the 1980's, and this is the only one I repurchased. It does resemble Imperial Leather soap, but Spanish Leather is much, much better, even with the current formulation. One day, I want to own this bottle again. Such good memories.

Have you ever used saddle soap to clean/soften leather? This is it. I love it, it's manly and not perfume related. I feel very comfortable when I wear this fragrance like smelling the leather when softening it with some saddle soap is a pretty accurate representation, but softer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I like this fragrance, smoky leathery, with sharpness of aromatic notes. Very masculine and comfortable, the leather in it is a bit sharper and more woody-smoky, less flowery then I mean Spanish leather in general.

Geo F Trumper lists the following notes on its website: ☞ Base Notes – Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla ☞ Middle Notes – Geranium, Rosemary, Rose ☞ Top Notes – Clove, Lavender Confusingly, Trumper's website doesn't list 'leather', whilst Fragrantica's listings appears to omit rosemary, vanilla and clove. The box supplied with my bottle says: "The history of Spanish Leather is interesting. It has often been assumed that the preparation includes leather in its make-up but the name actually derives from the fact that leather, usually tanned kid or chamois, is immersed in a special perfume. Once treated this special 'Spanish Leather' will retain its distinctive fragrance for a considerable time." ___________________ Leather, rose and geranium against a background of patchouli, sandalwood, light musk and an early expression of clove. Strangely, I barely notice ubiquitous vanilla. A soapiness invites comparison to Cusson's Imperial Leather; and side by side - yes - I think there is a powdery resemblance. The potency is probably respectable for a 'cologne' – to the extent that it can be applied under the arms without it stinging; and using it this way seems to give this scent an altogether richer expression. A preparation of Trumper's Rose shaving cream and Coral glycerine 'skin food' works well with Spanish Leather for an old-fashioned gentleman's luxurious soap aroma. A web search failed to establish the year of creation. None the less, and in keeping with Trumper's repute, this exudes a curious old-worldliness that might be considered Edwardian English. Applying it is to glimpse a different world: a time of Elgar and Walton, Eliot and Kipling. This could be one for Henry Wood's promenaders; but perhaps not the last nighters. "Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

I've had this fragrance for quite a while now. I bought a box set of Trumper's colognes last year and have ashamedly neglected them until I recently remembered they were tucked away in a cupboard. Similarly to what other reviewers mentioned, I have to say that this is reminiscent of aftershaves of a gone-by era, albeit with a more modern twist. It's not the best leather smell that I've encountered but it knocks the socks off some of the high-end niche-leather colognes that I have sampled. I believe that it smells more like 'real' soft leather than some of its more contemporary siblings. It has a very traditional Olde English vibe going on, despite being named Spanish Leather. It's warm yet sharp and wouldn't smell out of place wafting from a high street barber shop. A very freshly-shaved smell. It doesn't have gigantic projection or extended longevity but for the price it costs, you don't have to be frugal when applying it. To coin an old phrase from an aftershave of days gone by, you can "splash it on all over". What I have discovered is that this fragrance 'layers' extremely well with Geo Trumper's Extract of Limes Cologne. When worn together, the result is something altogether different. The fragrances complement perfectly and bring out the very best in one another. Neither fragrance has great staying power but when combined, they magically blend to form a sharp yet creamy, leathery zest which lasts longer than when (either are) applied as a single cologne. Lovely stuff.

Folks, this isn't a leather fragrance. It's not supposed to smell like actual leather. From Trumper's website: "It has often been assumed that the preparation includes leather in its make-up but the name actually derives from the fact that leather, usually tanned kid or chamois, is immersed in a special perfume. Once treated, this 'Spanish Leather' will retain its distinctive fragrance for a considerable time." Here are the actual notes: Top Notes – Clove, Lavender Middle Notes – Geranium, Rosemary, Rose Base Notes – Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla The description also mentions musk: "An unusually deep, rich intrigue glows from the lavish depths of this warm, heady fragrance. Hazy waves of sensual musk combine with the mysterious, woody spicy tones of patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla to make this wonderful scent." Performance is low but this is an EdC. Clove is prominent in the opening and, as others have mentioned, this is somewhat of an old-school barbershop cologne more than anything else. Dries down soapy. Extremely pleasant.

Trumper could license this to Cussons and sell it as 'Imperial Leather Cologne'. That's all I can think of when I smell this. It's like having a bar of lathered Imperial Leather soap in your hands, albeit a bit stronger. That's not a bad thing in my eyes. It just reeks of 'clean' and instills a calm confidence in me. My favourite time to wear this is on a Sunday morning in the colder months, especially if I'm just going to be lazing around the house. It's the icing on the cake of a nice refreshing shower. During the summer? Evenings at a push. Apart from that it's much to heavy in warmer weather and the last thing I want to smell in the heat. I've only ever received compliments from the more mature generation. Understandable as it's too mature for me (I'm under 30), which perhaps explains why I prefer to wear it at home. On a side note, I've also used the GFT Spanish Leather shave cream. I find that a little overpowering, too much scent for a shave cream and especially cloying during the summer.

"Peau d'Espagne," or "Spanish skin," was the name given to the elegant mixture of flower and spice scents once used in the 18th and 19th centuries in Spain to hide the tannic smells of new leather. The mixture (with leather notes then added) was then marketed to women, and was considered one of the most special fragrances of the nineteenth century. Trumpers has made a men's fragrance that retain these notes: though the note chart above shows leather as the dominant scent, I actually get mostly flowers and a nice soapiness from this at first, and then it follows up with the leather underneath. Quite nice, though it's really completely unisex (it may even lean slightly feminine with all the floral notes), and with that charming 19th-century feel of so many fragrances from Trumpers (and a few other long-established European houses like Penhaligon's). Hard to dislike.

It's nice and clean in a soapy way with a hint of leather saddle soap which does smell like Imperial Leather that people talk about. Though this aspect is low key. At the start there is some rose and geranium which soon disappears leaving a clean soapy smell. It's very nice in a barbershop way and clean but a bit underwhelming. It could have been more distinct with that Imperial Leather smell that I like been a bit more louder on the skin. All in all I like it and it's my third favourite choice from the house behind Eucris Edp (truly wonderful scent) and their Sandalwood fragrance.

Oldschool herbal patchouli leather Once again an excellent scent from Trumper, i personally don't get a clear cut rose, more so a geranium going almost into carnation territory, some sharpness coming from the clove while also definitely being soapy, musky and powdery with a good amount of warm coumarin and barbershop type vanilla/amber (and some sandalwood compounds) rounding off the base and giving a bit of tobacco vibe to the formula. Undoubtedly it is quite vintage, elegant, but rich and substantial. So far my second favorite after Eucris EDT, the two not being too dissimilar.