# Crabtree & Evelyn — Old Windsor Eau de Cologne > Old Windsor is a classic-style English eau de cologne from Crabtree & Evelyn's Heritage collection, a limited line released to mark the brand's 40th anniversary. It is a citrus-aromatic-woody splash — ## Essence Old Windsor is a classic-style English eau de cologne from Crabtree & Evelyn's Heritage collection, a limited line released to mark the brand's 40th anniversary. It is a citrus-aromatic-woody splash — bright bergamot, bitter orange and lemon up top, a lavender-rose-verbena aromatic heart, and a creamy sandalwood-cedar-musk base — themed loosely on the royal town of Windsor and its old oak forests. Now discontinued, it is a thinly documented niche curiosity prized by classic-cologne lovers who come across it. ## Scent Profile The opening is a traditional, bright cologne accord: complex citruses of bergamot, bitter orange and lemon lifted by an aromatic, slightly green herbal edge. Wearers also pick up neroli and orange-flower facets alongside the lavender-verbena freshness familiar from the great European cologne lineage. Through the heart the aromatic florals — lavender, rose, verbena — keep that classic cologne brightness going without turning sweet or loud. The drydown is where Old Windsor sets itself apart: a notably creamy sandalwood warms into a musky woody base with cedar and a faint dirty note read variously as orange flower or strong musk. The arc is a bright citrus-aromatic top settling to a creamy sandalwood-musk base — masculine-leaning but genuinely unisex. A more critical reading finds it pleasant but vague and short on vibrancy, which is the fair counterpoint to its easy charm. ## Performance For a cologne, the limited evidence is favorable: good projection and longer-than-typical staying power, helped by the creamy sandalwood base that lets it cling. Given the eau de cologne concentration, moderate but better-than-average longevity is the reasonable expectation. Reliable data beyond a handful of reports is thin, so expectations should stay measured. ## Wearing Context This is a daytime, warm-weather-friendly classic cologne that also suits cool weather thanks to its creamy sandalwood. Its bright-citrus-to-creamy-wood arc and splash format make it natural for grooming and refreshing — it doubles as an aftershave — and for casual to smart-casual daytime wear. It leans masculine but reads genuinely unisex. It would feel wrong anywhere a modern, loud or sweet statement scent is wanted; this is understated and traditional by design. ## Comparisons & DNA Old Windsor sits squarely in the classic European eau de cologne tradition, in tune with the 4711, Guerlain, Acqua di Parma and Hermes cologne lineage. Within its own Heritage collection, its closest siblings make useful contrasts: Neapolitan Bergamot Eau de Cologne is brighter and spicier, built on bergamot, lemon, black pepper and ginger over a nutmeg-amber-musk base, while Sevillian Neroli Eau de Cologne is bitter-orange and neroli driven. The creamy sandalwood drydown is what most distinguishes Old Windsor from those brighter relatives. No specific designer or clone alternative is documented. ## Reception Coverage is genuinely thin for this sparsely reviewed, discontinued release, so no firm consensus exists. The positive pole praises its old-school feel of quality and retro cologne character, with complex bright citruses giving way to creamy sandalwood — good enough that one wearer bought a backup bottle. The skeptical pole, from a self-identified house fan, found it pleasant but vague and lacking substance. The fair summary: classic-cologne lovers who encounter it tend to appreciate it, while those wanting vividness or originality may find it generic. ## Versions & Reformulation Old Windsor was released in 2013 as part of the limited Heritage collection celebrating Crabtree & Evelyn's 40th anniversary, which included four eaux de cologne and three flower waters, presented in a 100ml decorated splash bottle. The "Old Windsor" name has been used by the house historically, so earlier or related products may share it, but the catalog notes match this 2013 Heritage cologne. No reformulation is documented; the scent is discontinued. ## Acquisition Notes Discontinued, so availability is limited to the secondary market and remaining old stock. It was originally a moderately priced 100ml eau de cologne splash, with the Heritage colognes sold around the mid-range. Expect to hunt discontinued-fragrance sellers, with the usual caveats about age, storage and authenticity for an out-of-production item; buy from sellers who can speak to provenance where possible. ## Notable Facts & Lore - Themed on Old Windsor, framed by the brand as an area surrounded by old oak forests and once home to kings and queens. - One of four eaux de cologne in the 40th-anniversary Heritage collection. - The Heritage line was presented as an olfactory journey across the Mediterranean and historic European towns. - No specific launch story, celebrity association, or controversy is documented for this scent.