Comme des Garçons — Comme des Garcons Series 4 Cologne : Citrico
Essence
Series 4 Cologne: Citrico is a dry, bitter citrus cologne built around lemon, neroli, bitter orange, rosemary, and light woods. It is one of the most conventional fragrances in the Comme des Garcons catalog: clean, summery, and useful rather than eccentric.
Scent Profile
The opening is zesty but not sugary. Lemon, bergamot, neroli, and bitter orange give Citrico a brisk pithy edge, while rosemary adds an aromatic lift. The effect is closer to a classic cologne than to a modern aquatic or sport fragrance. As the citrus settles, iris and rose appear as soft modifiers rather than prominent flowers. The drydown is lightly woody and musky, with a clean-towel impression for some wearers. Others find that same pared-down phase dusty or plasticky, so the fragrance’s appeal depends on liking its restraint.
Performance
Citrico behaves largely like a classical cologne. The opening is fresh and noticeable, then it becomes a modest floral-musky scent with a quieter trail. Some skin chemistries get better wear, but it is safer to expect a refreshing daytime scent than continuous all-day citrus. Reapplication is reasonable in heat.
Wearing Context
This is a spring and summer fragrance for post-shower use, work, travel, and casual outdoor days. Its dry, lightly floral character is unisex and office-safe. It is not designed for evening drama or cold weather, and it will not satisfy someone choosing the house specifically for its more abstract scents.
Comparisons & DNA
Citrico belongs with traditional neroli-and-citrus colognes. Diptyque L’Eau de Neroli, Guerlain Eau de Guerlain, and Eau de Rochas provide useful family context. Creed Citrus Bigarrade is a richer bitter-orange comparison, while Acqua di Parma Colonia and Dior Eau Sauvage help place its old-school cologne structure. Series 4 Vettiveru adds a greener vetiver direction; Citrico stays the simpler bitter-citrus half of that pairing.
Reception
The scent is appreciated for clean bitterness and uncomplicated summer usefulness. Its main weakness is expectation: the house name may promise more strangeness than the liquid offers. Those who want a neat, non-sweet citrus cologne can find it satisfying, while those who want richer natural citrus or a more distinctive drydown may find it underwhelming. Its best value is practical rather than collectible.
Versions & Reformulation
Citrico was released in 2002 with Anbar and Vettiveru as the Series 4 Cologne trio. There is no documented reformulation or materially distinct concentration version.
Acquisition Notes
It was historically priced as an accessible large-bottle cologne rather than a luxury citrus. Sampling is sensible because the question is not whether it smells pleasant, but whether its quiet bitter-citrus character has enough personality for the buyer. Current price and collector evidence are limited.
Notable Facts & Lore
- Citrico is part of the 2002 Series 4 Cologne set with Anbar and Vettiveru.
- Its bitter-orange and neroli structure is deliberately traditional for this house.
- It is often remembered as a CdG fragrance for people who want a real cologne rather than a conceptual artifact.