Need advice about using old cologne

**umgowa997** · 02-02-2011, 02:41 PM

A friend of mine gave me a bottle of Aqua de Parma about 10 years ago. This was way before I was interested in shaving and fragrances etc. So I never used the stuff. I recall I liked the scent when I first got it but I just never used it. Now I am interested in shaving and fragrances and I just sprayed some on and it seems to me the scent has changed. Would a good cologne like Aqua de Parma change over a 10 year period? If so what is a reasonable shelf life to give a cologne before you risk messing up it's scent?. Thanks.

**Dennard** · 02-02-2011, 02:57 PM

Shelf life of colognes is most dependent on how it is stored, in my experience. I've always heard that it's best to store bottles away from extreme temps and light. When this is the case, colognes can last decades. But it's not surprising to have some change in a fragrance after ten years.

**DavyRay** · 02-02-2011, 05:16 PM

It may have changed. Your nose may have changed. It is hard to know what the difference is. Can you see that it has evaporated?

The end decision is whether to wear it or not. It may have 'matured' in storage, but whatever it is, it may smell great. Wear it if it works for you.

**The Count of Merkur Cristo** · 02-03-2011, 12:06 AM

Please don't laugh but I've not falen off my rocking chair

but when I was a young boy...I saw my Mother put her assorted fragrances and perfumes in the refrigerator. When I asked her why, she 'lovingly

reburked me with the reply, "Because they last longer and a gentleman never asks a lady or his Mother too many questions....now go out and play!!".

Of course I have never practiced these methods with my Clubman and/or Colognes, but you know what? My Mrs. heard the same thing from her Mother and 'of course' you know she passed this 'secret' down to our girls and then on to their girls.

Now I know I may not be 'the sharpest knife in the drawer'

but is there any truth this 'secret' (known only to ladies), or should I ask a lady at our local perfume emporium (enquiring minds want to know)?

I mean, as far as I can tell (and I have stole a few whiffs...now & then over the years), the chill temp in the refreigerator seems to 'draw out' more of the 'essense' of her pleasant scents.

Christopher

**alvinnjoinerIV** · 02-03-2011, 10:31 AM

my bottle of van cleef and arpels is much older than a decade. i'm not sure if the juice was really brown but i'm guessing no. anyways be careful with them staining your shirts. i looked like i spilled coffee on my white shirt when i sprayed. i do refrigerate my scents but i live in the tropics and heat gets trapped in a lot of areas in my apartment. my guess is it's still good. but maybe your nose has changed or become more observant with notes.

**The Nid Hog** · 02-03-2011, 11:16 AM

Get a sample and compare them!

**Telecaster52** · 02-03-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by The Count of Merkur Cristo

Please don't laugh

but I've not falen off my rocking chair

but when I was a young boy...I saw my Mother put her assorted fragrances and perfumes in the refrigerator. When I asked her why, she 'lovingly

reburked me with the reply, "Because they last longer and a gentleman never asks a lady or his Mother too many questions....now go out and play!!".

Of course I have never practiced these methods with my Clubman and/or Colognes, but you know what? My Mrs. heard the same thing from her Mother and 'of course' you know she passed

this 'secret' down to our girls

and then on to their girls.

Now I know I may not be 'the sharpest knife in the drawer'

but is there any truth this 'secret' (known only to ladies), or should I ask a lady at our local perfume emporium (enquiring minds want to know)?

I mean, as far as I can tell (and I have stole a few whiffs...now & then over the years), the chill temp in the refreigerator seems to 'draw out' more of the 'essense' of her pleasant scents.

Christopher

You've surpassed your smiley limit for the month

I have quite a few bottles of vintage (MEM) English leather, both cologne and Aftershave. I can detect a small amount of change in each bottle, similar to the aging of a fine wine. The older bottles have a more mellow, but more complex stink to them

**bythbook** · 02-03-2011, 03:20 PM

I have some really old stuff (from the 1930s) that is wonderful.

I have some really new stuff that stinks. [sic]

I don't think there is A shelf life, necessarily. Luck - or bad luck, I suppose - will determine whether it's still good.

...and there are serious fragrance collectors who have climate-controlled storage for their frags - like wine cellars. (Cool & dark.)

so... fingers crossed, enjoy!

**StylinLA** · 02-03-2011, 06:49 PM

In theory- shouldn't really change in 10 years. As dennard mentioned though, storage conditions (sunlight/heat) could affect it.

In my own experience, sometimes a frag will concentrate more over time, and sometimes it will get weaker. Another variable may be the evaporation rate from a an imperfect seal on the atomizer. Ya never know.