Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

What does Cuir de Russie smell like?

Cuir de Russie is a fragrance of stark, elegant contrasts that feels like stepping out of a crisp winter evening into a room filled with fresh flowers and well-worn luxury. It opens with a bright, clean burst of mandarin orange and bergamot, softened by the delicate sweetness of orange blossom. This citrusy introduction is brief, acting as a gateway to a sophisticated heart of jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang. These florals provide a creamy, velvety texture that keeps the scent from feeling too rugged or harsh. The soul of the fragrance lies in its base of birch wood, which provides the quintessential leathery, smoky character for which this scent is famous. Wearing it feels like donning a vintage leather jacket that has absorbed the aroma of expensive perfume and the faint, spicy smoke of a fireplace. It is animalic and raw, yet refined by the unmistakable Chanel polish. This is a scent for those who appreciate history and depth; it evokes a sense of bygone luxury and powerful, quiet confidence.

Details

House: Chanel
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 2007
Longevity: 7.6 / 10 · 250 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 6.7 / 10 · 242 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (121 votes), Winter (106 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (106 votes), Night Out (92 votes)
Scent Profile: Leathery, Woody, Floral, Animal, Spicy
Perfumer: Jacques Polge

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

The community views this as the "gold standard" of leather fragrances, frequently making exceptions for it even if they typically dislike leather notes.
Performance is generally regarded as solid for an Eau de Toilette, with the scent staying close to the skin for many hours rather than filling a room.
Many enthusiasts consider this the ultimate gender-neutral leather, possessing a "hermaphroditic class" that suits anyone despite its marketing toward women.
It is most highly recommended for cooler temperatures, specifically fall and winter evenings, though some fans wear it year-round regardless of attire.
While the leather note is central, it is often compared to a "lived-in" or animalic leather—some users describe a "barnyard" or hay-like quality that some find challenging while others find it adds necessary realism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuir de Russie Eau de Toilette still available?+

The Eau de Toilette concentration of Cuir de Russie was part of the original Les Exclusifs launch and has since been discontinued and replaced by the Eau de Parfum. It is highly sought after by collectors for its specific balance of florals and smoke.

How does the leather note in this fragrance compare to modern leathers?+

Unlike the "new car" or suede-like leathers found in many modern scents, Cuir de Russie uses birch wood to create a smoky, animalic, and realistic leather that feels more like a vintage accessory or a saddlery.

Can a man wear Chanel Cuir de Russie?+

Though marketed for women, the fragrance community overwhelmingly considers this a unisex scent. Its smoky birch and spicy accords provide a ruggedness that many men find very wearable.

When is the best time to wear this fragrance?+

It is most popular for evening wear during the fall and winter months. The warmth of the birch wood and spices excels in the cold, while the floral heart makes it suitable for formal or business settings.

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Eau de Toilette Fragrances915 Feminine Fragrances2169 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With C517

Similar Fragrances

Chanel

31 Rue Cambon

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

1932

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Gabrielle Chanel

Parfum

Chanel

Coco

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Cristalle

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Coromandel

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Beige

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Coco

Eau De Parfum

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

More in this fragrance line:Cuir de Russie — Parfum·Cuir de Russie — Eau De Parfum

What does Cuir de Russie smell like?

Cuir de Russie is a fragrance of stark, elegant contrasts that feels like stepping out of a crisp winter evening into a room filled with fresh flowers and well-worn luxury. It opens with a bright, clean burst of mandarin orange and bergamot, softened by the delicate sweetness of orange blossom. This citrusy introduction is brief, acting as a gateway to a sophisticated heart of jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang. These florals provide a creamy, velvety texture that keeps the scent from feeling too rugged or harsh. The soul of the fragrance lies in its base of birch wood, which provides the quintessential leathery, smoky character for which this scent is famous. Wearing it feels like donning a vintage leather jacket that has absorbed the aroma of expensive perfume and the faint, spicy smoke of a fireplace. It is animalic and raw, yet refined by the unmistakable Chanel polish. This is a scent for those who appreciate history and depth; it evokes a sense of bygone luxury and powerful, quiet confidence.

Details

House: Chanel
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 2007
Longevity: 7.6 / 10 · 250 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 6.7 / 10 · 242 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (121 votes), Winter (106 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (106 votes), Night Out (92 votes)
Scent Profile: Leathery, Woody, Floral, Animal, Spicy
Perfumer: Jacques Polge

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

The community views this as the "gold standard" of leather fragrances, frequently making exceptions for it even if they typically dislike leather notes.
Performance is generally regarded as solid for an Eau de Toilette, with the scent staying close to the skin for many hours rather than filling a room.
Many enthusiasts consider this the ultimate gender-neutral leather, possessing a "hermaphroditic class" that suits anyone despite its marketing toward women.
It is most highly recommended for cooler temperatures, specifically fall and winter evenings, though some fans wear it year-round regardless of attire.
While the leather note is central, it is often compared to a "lived-in" or animalic leather—some users describe a "barnyard" or hay-like quality that some find challenging while others find it adds necessary realism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuir de Russie Eau de Toilette still available?+

The Eau de Toilette concentration of Cuir de Russie was part of the original Les Exclusifs launch and has since been discontinued and replaced by the Eau de Parfum. It is highly sought after by collectors for its specific balance of florals and smoke.

How does the leather note in this fragrance compare to modern leathers?+

Unlike the "new car" or suede-like leathers found in many modern scents, Cuir de Russie uses birch wood to create a smoky, animalic, and realistic leather that feels more like a vintage accessory or a saddlery.

Can a man wear Chanel Cuir de Russie?+

Though marketed for women, the fragrance community overwhelmingly considers this a unisex scent. Its smoky birch and spicy accords provide a ruggedness that many men find very wearable.

When is the best time to wear this fragrance?+

It is most popular for evening wear during the fall and winter months. The warmth of the birch wood and spices excels in the cold, while the floral heart makes it suitable for formal or business settings.

Is this a good choice for someone who likes Chanel No. 5?+

Yes, many describe this as a more daring cousin to No. 5. It shares a similar floral DNA with jasmine and rose but adds a layer of smoky leather that gives it a more assertive and pensive character.

Accords

Notes

TopOrange blossom//Bergamot//Mandarin orange

HeartJasmine//Ylang-ylang//Rose

BaseBirch wood

Where to buy Cuir de Russie

No tracked prices yet.

We don't track a retailer offer for this fragrance yet — check the Amazon link below for current availability.

Amazon

Price not trackedBuy

No price tracked yet. Join the list and we'll email you if one shows up.

Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

Similar Fragrances

Chanel

31 Rue Cambon

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

1932

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Gabrielle Chanel

Parfum

Chanel

Coco

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Cristalle

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Coromandel

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Beige

Eau De Toilette

Chanel

Coco

Eau De Parfum

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Eau de Toilette Fragrances915 Feminine Fragrances2169 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With C517