Royal Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen (1970)

This is another economical classic from a company that's been around a very long time. I have a vintage bottle of this and I just love it as it wears well and my cousin loves it also. Royal Copenhagen was launched in 1970 exactly one year before I was born! The fact is it's a product of it's time and any fragrance lover worth his salt will have a bottle in his collection. I don't wear it very often but when I do I'm immediately transported to a much better place and time.

9/10

The people who are saying that this smells like Aqua Velva Ice Blue are insane. They're roughly in the same category, but do not buy Royal Copenhagen expecting a cologne-strength version of Aqua Velva. Royal Copenhagen is a lot more medicinal, dated, and I believe recently discontinued. Aqua Velva, despite being decades older, is still being sold and is better.

For decades, the mere mention of RC made me gag inside with memories of choking on so much sweet powder that it put Avon's worst offender (later production Wild Country) to shame.

But then I obtained both the Swank and Tsumura (pre-1997) versions. Apparently fairly well-preserved, they are not repellent powder bombs. Both are rich, dank orientals of sweet spice and subdued florals, something like a cross between youthful, cheerful Pierre Cardin Pour Monsieur and the more serious Grey Flannel. I imagine a very light touch will work in the heat but it seems the original is built more for cooler weather.

This stuff is EXCELLENT. Highly recommended, but only if it's verified vintage.

For my money, this is the paragon of powdery barbershop fragrance. I enjoy it quite a lot when I'm in the mood for that kind of scent. I find it heavy and best suited for cooler weather because the powder dominates, and there's no getting around that. People are going to tell you you smell like an old man, and there's probably no getting around that, either. To me there's something quite soothing and right about a close shave and a few splashes of Royal Copenhagen, especially during the fall and winter.

This is horrid! All I smell is Aqua Velva Ice Blue. I rubbed some on my wrist and washed it off immediately! Good thing I got it on clearance.

Sandalwood joss stick meets budget fougère. Not bad, but still a waste of good Mysore.

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Vintage carded sample