Cool Water: A wave of fresh water for men. Men's fragrances remain one of the most static sectors in fine perfumery.
The fragrance Cool Water was born in 1988 and symbolizes an ultra-masculine wave of freshness. Here, the house of Davidoff sought to capture the magic of the ocean. While the 80s marked the trend of opulent, imposing fragrances, they also marked the development of men's fragrances. Men, until then confined to Eaux de Cologne, decided to claim true fragrances for themselves, just as women had. Ultra fresh yet very dynamic, the composition of Cool Water remained bold for its time. It is signed Pierre Bourdon.
Pierre Bourdon advances men's perfumery with Cool Water
To create this highly masculine fragrance, the Davidoff house called upon perfumer Pierre Bourdon. He is among those perfumers who were not originally destined for the craft and who followed an atypical path. Pierre Bourdon held a degree in political science when he met Edmond Roudnitska, perfumer at Dior. His father, René Bourdon, was in fact deputy general of Dior's creations. Following this meeting, Pierre Bourdon decided to become a perfumer and took courses at the Roure school. He joined the Takasago company and the Quest company, before founding Fragrances Ressources France in 1993. Pierre Bourdon is responsible for a number of fine fragrances, including Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce Vita by Christian Dior, and Magnetism by Escada.
The intense freshness of Davidoff Cool Water
Cool Water opens on an immense freshness, namely that of mint and clary sage, combined with dihydromyrcenol. Originating in Asia and medieval Europe, mint is known for its powerful, refreshing scent. Legend has it that Hades, god of the underworld, courted the nymph Minthe, but his wife Persephone, out of jealousy, turned her into a mint plant. Unable to bring her back to life, Hades then gave her his own scent. Mint was used by the Hebrews to protect their homes. It arrived in France in the Middle Ages by way of Charlemagne. Mint was renowned for its many medicinal virtues. In perfumery, mint essence is obtained by steam distillation of fresh leaves. Mint releases mentholated, fresh and herbaceous tonalities. Then, the heart of Cool Water fills with geranium, heightened by the spicy tonality of coriander. Geranium takes its name from the Greek geranos, meaning crane, in reference to the shape of the flower.
Originating in South Africa, geranium is the quintessential summer flower and is known for adorning balconies. Indigenous peoples used the properties of geranium to fight coughs and sore throats. Geranium also has culinary qualities. In perfumery, geranium releases mentholated, lemony, spicy and rosy tonalities. It is mainly used in masculine compositions. Finally, the base of Cool Water is sensual and ultra masculine thanks to the presence of white musks, cedar and oakmoss. Dressed entirely in blue, the bottle evokes the depths of the ocean.