Chanel No 19

Chanel No 19, inspired by Chanel N°19 (1971)

N°19 sets two materials against each other: galbanum, a plant resin with the bitter smell of a snapped stem, and iris, which is cool, rooty and powdery. Neither wins. Hyacinth and neroli add a little light early on, and rose, jasmine and lily of the valley fill the middle without making it sugary. Underneath, vetiver and leather give the drydown an earthy, slightly austere shade that has more in common with a chypre than with a modern floral.

About the original

Henri Robert composed N°19 for Chanel, and it is usually dated to 1971, though some sources give late 1970. The name refers to Gabrielle Chanel's birthday, 19 August, and the house describes it as the last fragrance she launched before her death in January 1971. Chanel intended it as a counterpoint to N°5. In 2011 Jacques Polge added N°19 Poudré, a muskier, gentler variation that we sell as a separate scent.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Chanel stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Women who already wear green chypres or iris scents will find it familiar territory. It reads as composed and reserved rather than warm or cosy. The galbanum opening is bitter and the base leathery, so lovers of pretty, sugary florals may find it severe at first.

Related scents

• Chanel No 19 Poudre
• Chanel No 5

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Galbanum, Hyacinth, Bergamot, Neroli

Heart notes: Iris, Orris Root, Rose, Lily Of The Valley, Narcissus, Jasmine, Ylang-ylang

Base notes: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Leather, Cedar, Musk, Sandalwood

Galbanum leads, green and slightly bitter, with hyacinth, bergamot and neroli around it.

In the heart, iris and orris root lay down a cool, powdery texture. Rose, narcissus, jasmine, ylang-ylang and lily of the valley sit inside that powder rather than on top of it.

The base settles on vetiver, leather and oakmoss, with cedar, sandalwood and musk smoothing the edges.

Is this based on N°19 or N°19 Poudré?

On the original N°19 from 1971. Poudré (2011) is muskier and gentler, and we offer it as a separate product.

Does Chanel still make N°19?

Yes. Chanel still sells N°19 as an eau de toilette and an eau de parfum.

Is it sweet?

No. Galbanum at the top and vetiver and leather in the base keep it dry. The powdery feel comes from iris, not from vanilla or sugar.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Chanel and Chanel No 19 are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Chanel in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.