Florida Water
Murray & Lanman (1808)

Florida Water by Murray & Lanman (1808) is an eau de cologne that isn't talked about in the same measure as offerings from Farina, Muelhens, or Guerlain. The story is one of many eau de colognes at that time; New York perfumer Robert I. Murray founded a company to sell his take on the then-new and popular eau de cologne scent. After some success as a local American alternative to the more-expensive imported 4711 and Farina products, Murray was joined by David Trumbull Lanman and his company was renamed firm Murray & Lanman by 1835. Murray must have cashed out and it dropped to just David T. Lanman and Co., and in 1861 became Lanman & Kemp. The modern producer of Florida Water is called Lanman & Kemp-Barclay & Co, and is still privately owned. "Florida Water" has curiously been licensed out to independent companies all over the world starting in the 1900's, with Kwong Sang Hong being the main manufacturer in the Asian market for a century, something Guerlain or Farina would never do. The Murray & Lanman label at some point was also returned to usage, likely because of it's notoriety. There's also the price, which is so rock bottom cheap compared to any and all other cologne offerings I've seen out there, that I wonder how ol' Murray and company make any money selling it. Seriously, you can buy 8oz bottles in 12-packs for less than a single bottle of 4711.

The smell is really why you're here reading this, and it is indeed quite different from most other eau de cologne offerings, including Number Six by Caswell-Massey (1789), the only other prominent American example from the period I can think of, and I think that sets Florida Water apart enough that some people may not even consider it a classic citrus eau. The big twist in all of this is the use of cinnamon and cloves in the base of Florida Water instead of amber or musk like Jean Marie Farina Extra Vieille by Roger & Gallet (1809) or no base at all like the first Farina Eau de Cologne (1709), or its infamously more-popular copycat 4711 by Muelhens (1789). The cinnamon and cloves as the solution for skin retention gives Florida Water a character that unfortunately belies its freshness, leading people to think of it as something more for colder climes. In truth, the twist of clove makes Florida Water really similar to Etiquette Bleue by Parfums D'Orsay (1908), which would use a similar trick with sandalwood, rosemary, and balsams to also thicken out the classic eau de cologne structure without resorting to heavier materials evolving into what would become something like Bain de Champagne by Caron (1923) in later years. Because of this keen trick. Florida Water's neroli head takes a sweeter tone once it mixes with the spices, rendering a slight candied effect on the overall dry down. As for projection and longevity, this is still an eau de cologne, just with a slight bit more oomph from the spices.

What's perhaps even more interesting, or downright mind-blowing, is the general use for Florida Water, which is entirely different from the hygienic purpose assigned to things like 4711 or Farina. This is a lot to unpack, so here goes: Religious practices of natives in the Huancabamba and Ayabaca provinces in Peru use eau de colognes and Florida Water in particular as part of their spiritual offerings. Florida Water also provides a medium for psychoactive substances to be added and consumed during such practices, or being incorporated into folk remedies for demonic possession. Ayahuasca ceremonies in Chile and Bolivia mainly use Florida Water spat out onto participants of these ceremonies at set points, where the participants are expected to vomit or to soil themselves due to Florida Water's assumed spiritually purifying effects. Another spiritual system known as Hoodoo, which is similar in name to and thus gets confused with Voodoo, is practiced by some African Americans descending mostly from formerly enslaved West African groups, and among those practices Florida Water is used to spiritually cleanse areas, sometimes being dosed into mop water and used in this fashion. In conclusion, the smell of Florida Water for many is not associated with wearable fragrance, anymore. Whether you use it as as freshen-up, or a part of something deeper in significance, Florida Water does smell nice. Thumbs up

While I might occasionally use this as a spring or summer fragrance, its proper place in my home is one of utility. With its incredibly low price point and pleasant smell (the notes aren't currently listed, but it's a nice lavender/orange/clove scent that starts with more citrus) it makes a lovely addition to home made batches of cleaning products or linen sprays. It does have a bit of a mouthwash or cleaning supplies smell if you sniff the bottle, but I find it much milder and more pleasant on skin or surfaces.

One also can't understate its cultural significance. There's of course its history as a cologne from the 1800s, but I personally find its use in spiritual practices especially interested. I think regardless of how one uses it, Florida Water is a great addition to any fragrance loving household.

Florida Water has a huge cultural significance in the southern and eastern U.S. and it is super-pleasant to use around the house as well as for personal care and personal fragrance. Many mouthwash fragrances have probably been based on this cologne, so it might remind you of the smell of mouthwash. Except it is much, much more friendly. It doesn't smell antiseptic, but it is very clean and herbal. I spray it on my pillow before going to sleep for extra sweet dreams.

Cool, clean, and refreshing and not all that dated, actually. However, it reminds me of a hospital or doctor's office. It has an industrial cleaning smell that's not unpleasant but maybe not the first thing you want people to think of when they smell your fragrance.

The opening is sweet-synthetic candy citrus soda and a good amount mint. After that settles down, it's the cleaner smell.

For the price and smell,this is one of the best smelling Summer fragrances on the market.Been in the fragrance game for quite a few years and just discovered this gem. A great barbershop fragrance that won't cloy anyone out. Longevity is not good at all but for the price it's not a problem. 8/10.

A pleasant summer splash, cheap as dirt, I pour it into a rag and degrime at the end of the work day (construction). Cologne fresh with a spice cola kick and has the added benefit of keeping bad spirits away.