Review: Elijah Craig Char No. 3 Cologne

Bourbon, but make it cologne. No, really. That’s the impetus behind a new fragrance fashioned after one of the world’s most popular whiskey brands. Will it actually make you smell like Elijah Craig?

Elijah Craig Char No. 3 Cologne is a custom scent developed and produced by multinational fragrance company Crafting Beauty, in partnership with brand owner Heaven Hill. The R&D itself was influenced by a “study of the charred oak staves used to age Elijah Craig Bourbon” carried out by German food and fragrance conglomerate Symrise.

The fragrance is marketed as one that “captures the warm, smoky, and sophisticated essence of the charred oak barrels that shape Elijah Craig’s signature depth.” Whether it makes one smell like whiskey — or simply reminiscent of that warm and smoky essence — is the question at hand.

The bottle itself features one of the more memorable disclaimers I’ve seen recently: “Does not contain whiskey.” Other marketing collateral specifies the “product is strictly for topical use only.” Imbibers, take note.

Elijah Craig Char No. 3 Cologne Review

Since we’re only reviewing based on the nose, let’s get to it. I tested this cologne three times, each time applied directly to the skin and sprayed from around 6 inches away. Areas tested included the wrist, neck, and upper chest — when it comes to personal fragrances, a little body heat goes a long way.

Scents kick off with a hefty dose of botanicals, specifically dried juniper berry, birch bark, and licorice root. While not exactly the barrel influence we’re used to in whiskey, in conjunction, they evoke enough wood spice to come through as perhaps bourbon-adjacent. Other identifiable scents include holiday-scented pine cones, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, and allspice. Overall, those “smoky” components veered much more toward burning incense than campfires or charred wood staves.

In all my tests, over the course of a couple hours, the fragrance generally evolved into something halfway between incense and vanilla. It’s a pleasant combination, but again, not one most might immediately identify as bourbon. Char No. 3 also displayed solid staying power — shall we call it a long finish? — and after the first test, I realized one carefully-placed spray was sufficient. The base incense and juniper aromas are especially resilient. As with many colognes, it’s easier to go overboard than to under-apply.

Let’s be clear: I’m not an experienced cologne critic. But I am a seasoned bourbon drinker. And to my nose, Elijah Craig Char No. 3 Cologne is a potent, long-lasting fragrance, best for those who enjoy big hits of vanilla and wood spice. Apply with a light touch, and enjoy. Just don’t expect to smell like a barrel. And don’t drink it.

A- / $50

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