Review (5/5): I Imagine Ernest Hemingway Used This Stuff
For starters, I live and play in Florida and just for kicks, I bought this as a novelty item.
Much to my surprise, I became quite fond of the scent and invigorating freshness of the cologne. It has a sweet orange citrus base with hints of lavender and clove. The name refers to the fabled Fountain of Youth which was said to be located in Florida as well as the "flowery" nature of the scent. After all, Florida means "Feast of Flowers." So, the name of the cologne is certainly fitting.
Large quantities of Florida Water were used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave. In the 1880s and 1890s Murray & Lanman Florida Water was advertised as "The Richest of all Perfumes" and "The most Popular Perfume in the World"
Like other colognes of the era, Florida Water was valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and could be used as a skin toner or as what we would now call a "body splash". This is my number one use of Florida Water- as a body splash; particularly during the hot summer months in Florida.
My second means of using this product is by mixing it with iced water and dipping a clean rag in and wiping the neck and body for a refreshing cooling effect.
It's not just aftershave. It's also a refreshing body splash with that sweet citrus, yet manly smell.