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America’s Oldest Perfumery: Caswell-Massey Gets Revised and Revived

Caswell-Massey new logo

"Founded in 1752 in Newport, Rhode Island, Caswell-Massey is America’s original apothecary and perfumery, long considered one of the foremost purveyors of scent and luxury. Stewards of the brand such as Dr. Hunter, John Rose Caswell, William Massey and Ralph Taylor shared a passion and a talent for perfumery and customer service – still hallmarks of the brand today." – CaswellMassey.com

So begins the Caswell-Massey story. In fact, the brand is regarded as the fourth-oldest continuously operating company in America and the oldest American consumer brand in operation with loyal customers across 4 different centuries including Greta Garbo, The Rolling Stones, and JFK. In 2017, Caswell-Massey re-branded itself while simultaneously re-launching its online presence with updated website and social media presence. They also released reformulations of many of their beloved classics. Once known as the brand of soap and lotion in many an American hotel room with fragrance prices ranging from $35-$65 USD, Caswell-Massey is now aiming for niche territory with elevated prices and changes in some of their scents' concentrations.
 

Formula Number Six Toilette Water Supernatural VI

For example, Caswell-Massey's newly re-launched Supernatural VI, a re-visit to the brand's 'Formula Number Six Toilette Water Cologne' – which was created in 1772 by founder Dr. William Hunter and was a favorite of George Washington – is regarded by the brand as "the first American Fragrance and the third oldest continuously produced scent in modern perfumery." It is now available in eau de parfum strength; the brand explains, "Formulated from the original handwritten recipe with the most exquisite botanical oils and rare molecules. We spared no expense in sourcing and blending this beautiful and historic American fragrance with natural oils, plant-based musk, and a beautiful amber that makes the scent both true to the original 1772 formulation and thoroughly modern."

Let's take a look at some of their current offerings…

Caswell-Massey Centuries Sandalwood EDT

The Centuries Collection from Caswell-Massey consists of four classic colognes, now in eau de toilette concentration:

Caswell-Massey Centuries Sandalwood EDT

Centuries Sandalwood

In over two hundred years of curiosity and passion, we've been in pursuit of the perfect Sandalwood fragrance. This Centuries Sandalwood EDT is our best Sandalwood fragrance ever – the one we've been working on for 266 years. Part of our Centuries EDT Collection celebrating ingredients that have been part of our history.

Much softer than our traditional Sandalwood cologne, Centuries Sandalwood Eau De Toilette was designed to be a daytime fragrance suitable for women and men. A balanced, beautiful expression of Australian Sandalwood blended with a light smokey Cypriol and a secret recipe of lush botanicals. Eminently suitable for a man or a woman. Packaged In our new Centuries box and emblazoned with Caswell-Massey's Centuries Crest. 

Caswell-Massey Centuries Verbena EDT

Centuries Verbena

This extraordinary Verbena scent is part of our new Centuries Collection of ingredient-focused Eau de Toilettes crafted by our master perfumers, working with botanical ingredients that have been part of Caswell-Massey for over two hundred years. 

Centuries Verbena EDT is a true single-note scent that hews closely to the first Verbena fragrance introduced by Caswell-Massey in the late Nineteenth Century: a fresh, bright blend of citrus and herbal notes with an earthy dry-down. Crisp and green with all day smoothness. Suitable for both Men and Women. Packaged In our new Centuries box and emblazoned with Caswell-Massey's Centuries Crest. 

Caswell-Massey Centuries Almond EDT

Centuries Almond

This beautiful, creamy Centuries Almond fragrance is part of our Centuries Collection of ingredient-focused Eau de Toilettes created to celebrate ingredients that we have been working with for over two hundred years. 

Customers have always loved our Almond Soaps and Hand Lotions; the scent for these fragrances originates from a recipe in our archive that blends Almond with Tonka and a light salt note with delicate hints of cherry and musk. Now available for the first time in over a century as an EDT, this is a magical revival of the classic, centuries-old recipe that has become one of our signatures.  

Long-lasting and easy to wear every day as your own signature scent, or can be layered with other Caswell-Massey fragrances to add a softer, creamy balance.

Caswell-Massey Lavender EDT

Centuries Lavender

Caswell-Massey has imported Lavender distillations for hundreds of years, and developed a nose for the very best varieties of this special plant. Part of our Centuries Collection of single-note EDTs, our new Centuries Lavender fragrance is an ingredient-focused EDT that opens with bright and complex floral notes that settle into a classic, fresh powder scent on the dry-down. For a true fan of natural lavender, this will bring you back to the garden with a naturally relaxing and calming fragrance you can wear all day.

Caswell-Massey Heritage Tricorn

The Heritage Collection from Caswell-Massey consists of four classic colognes, thoughtfully re-orchestrated with modern ingredients:

Caswell-Massey Heritage Tricorn EDT

Heritage Tricorn

We've been making Colognes in America for nearly three Centuries, and along the way, we've had a few remarkable hits. Tricorn Cologne launched in New York City in 1941 and sold out within weeks – becoming a favorite of Cole Porter and many other notable New Yorkers. We've made a few versions of this cologne over the years; this most recent update incorporates many of the best qualities of the original.

This Cologne opens with citrus and musky notes, but the Sandalwood note in the dry-down is the secret to this fragrance. Fresh Green, Cocoa Absolute & Amber pull at the edges of this complex cologne, while Leather & Cedar give it a masculinity in the finish. A beautiful modern fragrance, packaged in our handsome new Heritage Packaging.

Caswell-Massey Heritage Jockey Club EDT

Heritage Jockey Club

Caswell-Massey has a long heritage in American Fragrance dating back to to the late 1700s, and we have created some of the most iconic fragrances in America. First introduced in 1840, Jockey Club cologne is a classic sporting scent that was legendary in American Thoroughbred racing clubs throughout the Nineteenth Century and is truly the first 'Sport' Cologne. Often imitated but never matched, and said to have been a favorite scent of JFK (One hundred years after its introduction!).

This new Heritage Formulation of Jockey Club is remarkable – it rings true to the 1840 original, with classic Citrus, Thyme, and Basil notes; a hint of dry Honey & Rose and a clean sophisticated dry-down unique to this special fragrance. A classic, packaged in our handsome new Heritage Packaging.

Caswell-Massey Classic Newport EDT

Classic Newport

First introduced in 1890, Newport was one of the first 'seaside' cologne scents, designed for the Sailing elite in Newport, Rhode Island where we were founded in 1752. It has the fresh notes of a seaside breeze with a racing streak in the dry-down. This newest edition matches the scent of the formulation we've been making for years, updated for our new Heritage collection.

Newport has Green top notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, and Citrus; softened with Geranium, Lavandin, Muguet, and Dry Rose that finish over a Sandalwood and Cedar base. Presented in our handsome new Heritage Packaging. 

Caswell-Massey Classic Greenbriar EDT

Classic Greenbriar

In over two hundred years of curiosity and passion, we've been in pursuit of the perfect Sandalwood fragrance. This Centuries Sandalwood EDT is our best Sandalwood fragrance ever – the one we've been working on for 266 years. Part of our Centuries EDT Collection celebrating ingredients that have been part of our history.

Much softer than our traditional Sandalwood cologne, Centuries Sandalwood Eau De Toilette was designed to be a daytime fragrance suitable for women and men. A balanced, beautiful expression of Australian Sandalwood blended with a light smokey Cypriol and a secret recipe of lush botanicals. Eminently suitable for a man or a woman. Packaged In our new Centuries box and emblazoned with Caswell-Massey's Centuries Crest. 

Caswell-Massey Beatrix

The NYBG Florals collection celebrates the New York Botanical Garden and currently includes 5 eaux de parfum centered on rose, honeysuckle, gardenia, and lilac:

Caswell-Massey Beatrix

Beatrix

This perfume is part of our Living Florals collection created with the Master Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden and Senior Perfumer Laurent LeGuernec, derived directly from a Heritage Rose that you can see and smell at the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.

This fragrance is a beautiful Rose that opens with notes of Bergamot, a heart of Black Currant & Fig, an earthy base note of Vetiver and a trail of Musk. Truly an incredible Rose perfume with the freshness of a living floral. One of the most enchanting new floral fragrances we have introduced in years.

The fragrance is named for Beatrix Jones Farrand (1872-1959), the most accomplished landscape architect of her time and the only female founder of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Beatrix left her mark on designs for College Campuses, City Parks, the Gardens of the White House, and was the original designer of the Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden where our Rose perfume was born.

Caswell-Massey Ros

RÒS

RÒS is an exotic fragrance for Men and Women developed with the Master Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden and Senior Perfumer Laurent Le Guernec from a living floral 'Scepter'd Rose' that bears three roses on each stem, blossoming throughout the summer in the southeast promenade of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

This is a sophisticated scent with a masculine character, bearing top notes of Citrus and a heart of Dark Spice, Amber & Anise.

Caswell-Massey Gardenia

Gardenia

This perfume is part of our Living Florals collection created with the Master Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden and Senior Perfumer Laurent LeGuernec, derived directly from a Gardenia that you can see and smell at the New York Botanical Garden. Large white flowers with thick petals blossom on the two lovely Gardenias that stand tall within the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden. Caswell-Massey's Gardenia Eau de Toilette captures the perfect harmony of the smooth green and floral notes found only in these white silken petals.

Caswell-Massey Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

This perfume is part of our Living Florals collection created with the Master Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden and Senior Perfumer Laurent LeGuernec, derived directly from a Honeysuckle that you can see and smell at the New York Botanical Garden. Honeysuckle grows wild along the native forest pathways and on rocky hillsides at the incredible New York Botanical Garden. The scent of the blossoms that fill the air in late spring are captured in this fragrance, balancing the light sweetness of Honeysuckle with a hint of the forest floor.

Caswell-Massey Lilac

Lilac

This perfume is part of our Living Florals collection created with the Master Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden and Senior Perfumer Laurent LeGuernec, derived directly from a Lilac that you can see and smell at the New York Botanical Garden. Visitors have delighted in the Lilacs at the New York Botanical Garden's 'Lilac Hill' that blossom in sequence throughout spring. With a delicate floral scent and hints of suede and amber, the fragrance in this Eau de Toilette is derived directly from the blossoms of NYBG's extraordinary Lilac Collection.

In addition to the collections above, Caswell-Massey has launched two other new fragrances:

Marem is a bold new fragrance, remastered from the 1914 original designed for Alla Nazimova, the silent film and Broadway star of the early 1900s. This fragrance tells her story, with Rose & Red Currant notes that hint at her Eastern European roots, floral and woodsy notes with the sophistication of New York; and Citrus and Amber that echo the freedom, creativity and adventure of her time in Hollywood.  She was known as the 'star of a thousand moods', and this fragrance is no different – it wears remarkably well as a daytime fragrance with lush florals, and reveals darker tones as a perfect scent for an evening out.

Caswell-Massey Marem with postcards of Alla Nazimova

LX48 is the first new cologne fragrance for Men introduced by Caswell-Massey in over thirty years.  This niche fragrance is inspired by the storied men’s colognes developed for private clientele at Caswell-Massey’s famous New York City store on Lexington & 48th Street – a hint of the mid-century man with leather and tobacco; distinctly made for the twenty-first century. LX48 is a cologne for anyone with confidence and ambition. Leather, Tobacco, Cedarwood, and Oakmoss bearing a carnal overtone. Limited quantities are available exclusively online at Caswell-Massey.com and at select retailers. Packaged in a distinct gold-embossed premium LX48 set box with the Caswell-Massey mark.

Caswell-Massey LX48

Many of Caswell-Massey's classic colognes along with Elixir of Love are still available. Travel sizes (15ml) and sets are also available. You can explore the new world of Caswell-Massey including their shaving supplies and new line of essential oils and other grooming products at:

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Dr. Marlen Elliot Harrison

Managing Editor & Columnist

Dr. Marlen Elliot Harrison’s journalism in the fragrance industry has appeared in international print and online publications such as Playboy, Men’s Journal, Men’s Health and the New York Times. Marlen is also a regular contributor to BeautyAlmanac.com and works as a professor in higher education. Learn more about Marlen by visiting:  www.MarlenHarrison.com.

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