Who knew they produced cologne in Turkey?! I sure didn't. In Turkey, cologne or "kolonya" dates back since the ottoman empire. Kolonya has been used in Turkey as a sterilizing agent, medical product, it has been used on sugar cubes to help digestion. cologne in Turkey used to be drizzled onto the hands of guests upon entering home or restaurant, or after finishing a meal. Kolonya has been used on busses on long distance trips to freshen up the passengers. History of kolonya aside, there are famous brands of Turkish cologne that you might want to try for yourself!
Atelier Rebul: One of the oldest cologne brands in Turkey was actually started by a French expat by the name of Jean Cesar Reboul at his Grande Pharmacie Parisienne, which he opened in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu in 1895. Their name became synonymous with the lavender kolonya they brought to the market in 1938 and the brand, now called Atelier Rebul, remains one of the most established purveyors of kolonya in Turkey. These days, there are dozens of shops by the name of Atelier Rebul throughout Turkey and a website online from which you can purchase from a vast selection of their aromatic kolonya.
Eyüp Sabri Tuncer: Founded in 1923 in Ankara, the Eyüp Sabri Tuncer brand is considered to have created the lemon kolonya version we are most familiar with even today. These days, however, their brand is located in hundreds of shops throughout Turkey and has an impressive cologne selection which in addition to aromas such as Rain Forest, Paris Nights and Memories, the latter of which refers to Turkey’s cinematic Yeşilçam legacy, there is also a wide spectrum of aromas devoted to specific spots in Istanbul such as the Basilica Cisterns, the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus, the Spice Market and so forth. The Eyüp Sabri Tuncer websites boast nearly 700 different personal care products, including wet tissues and incense in their fragrance varieties, and there is also a vegan line that includes toothpaste.
Selin: Said to be the first brand to produce kolonya in Turkish history, Selin first hit the market in 1912 in Izmir as Altın Damlası Kolonyası (Golden Drop Cologne), which was made at the historical Şifa Eczanesi in Kemeraltı by none other than Süleyman Ferit Eczacıbaşı. The cologne became a prestigious gift given by anyone visiting Izmir.
Pereja: Yet another nostalgic brand of cologne is Pereja, which was made at a huge factory, which had a grand opening when it was established in Bahçelievler in 1967 which was even attended by the prime minister at the time Süleyman Demirel. Their lemon fragranced kolonya remains one of the most symbolic icons of Turkey from the '70s and beyond.
Duru: Established in 1927 in Erzurum, Duru is yet another well-known kolonya brand in Turkey that has stood the test of time. Operating today from a 350,000 square-meter facility in Istanbul, Duru has branched out into a variety of personal care products and brands, including the Arko brand and produces 300 tons of soap each year in addition to a wide variety and sizes of their classic kolonya.
Tariş: One of the most reputable brands for olive oil in Turkey also has a respected personal care line that includes over half a dozen kolonya varieties including the more rare fig, olive blossom and green tea aromas and also offers spray bottle options.
Vakko: For the utmost elegance in kolonya, Vakko is your go-to brand. With fragrances such as Retro Gardenia, White Suede Musk, White Tea and Cedar Atlas, this luxurious Turkish brand offers the utmost in fancy kolonya fragrances with the price tag to boot. However, it is admittedly the most upscale of kolonyas out there and to gift to others.
Atelier Rebul: One of the oldest cologne brands in Turkey was actually started by a French expat by the name of Jean Cesar Reboul at his Grande Pharmacie Parisienne, which he opened in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu in 1895. Their name became synonymous with the lavender kolonya they brought to the market in 1938 and the brand, now called Atelier Rebul, remains one of the most established purveyors of kolonya in Turkey. These days, there are dozens of shops by the name of Atelier Rebul throughout Turkey and a website online from which you can purchase from a vast selection of their aromatic kolonya.
Eyüp Sabri Tuncer: Founded in 1923 in Ankara, the Eyüp Sabri Tuncer brand is considered to have created the lemon kolonya version we are most familiar with even today. These days, however, their brand is located in hundreds of shops throughout Turkey and has an impressive cologne selection which in addition to aromas such as Rain Forest, Paris Nights and Memories, the latter of which refers to Turkey’s cinematic Yeşilçam legacy, there is also a wide spectrum of aromas devoted to specific spots in Istanbul such as the Basilica Cisterns, the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus, the Spice Market and so forth. The Eyüp Sabri Tuncer websites boast nearly 700 different personal care products, including wet tissues and incense in their fragrance varieties, and there is also a vegan line that includes toothpaste.
Selin: Said to be the first brand to produce kolonya in Turkish history, Selin first hit the market in 1912 in Izmir as Altın Damlası Kolonyası (Golden Drop Cologne), which was made at the historical Şifa Eczanesi in Kemeraltı by none other than Süleyman Ferit Eczacıbaşı. The cologne became a prestigious gift given by anyone visiting Izmir.
Pereja: Yet another nostalgic brand of cologne is Pereja, which was made at a huge factory, which had a grand opening when it was established in Bahçelievler in 1967 which was even attended by the prime minister at the time Süleyman Demirel. Their lemon fragranced kolonya remains one of the most symbolic icons of Turkey from the '70s and beyond.
Duru: Established in 1927 in Erzurum, Duru is yet another well-known kolonya brand in Turkey that has stood the test of time. Operating today from a 350,000 square-meter facility in Istanbul, Duru has branched out into a variety of personal care products and brands, including the Arko brand and produces 300 tons of soap each year in addition to a wide variety and sizes of their classic kolonya.
Tariş: One of the most reputable brands for olive oil in Turkey also has a respected personal care line that includes over half a dozen kolonya varieties including the more rare fig, olive blossom and green tea aromas and also offers spray bottle options.
Vakko: For the utmost elegance in kolonya, Vakko is your go-to brand. With fragrances such as Retro Gardenia, White Suede Musk, White Tea and Cedar Atlas, this luxurious Turkish brand offers the utmost in fancy kolonya fragrances with the price tag to boot. However, it is admittedly the most upscale of kolonyas out there and to gift to others.