Shell Cordovan is often hailed as the ‘king of leathers’, and for good reason. It’s a premium leather, made from the flat muscle (or shell) beneath the hide on the rump of a horse. The tanning process required to produce shell cordovan is a long, complex, labor-intensive tanning process that takes at least six months, meaning it is only produced by a small collection of tanneries around the world and much is made by Chicago’s Horween Tannery.

Despite its elaborate tanning process, Shell Cordovan is produced in a variety of colors, which unlike most leathers, have signature names that don’t vary much from manufacturer to manufacturer. We’ve taken the time to put together a rundown of all of the Shell Cordovan colors, from ‘color 8’ to ‘whiskey’ in alphabetical order. This way, you’ll be able to recognize these colors when they’re used on fine leather goods and know what’s out there when you’re ready for your next purchase.

Amaretto

Amaretto Shell Cordovan falls between Whiskey Shell Cordovan and Ravello Shell Cordovan. It’s a medium-to-light brown with a red undertone.

Black

Classic, sleek, and smart. Black shell cordovan will give footwear a formal edge due to its lustrous sheen. The Flat Head often used this color of shell cordovan for their range of money wallets and coin purses.

Bourbon

The closest Shell Cordovan comes to ‘tan’, Bourbon is a light brown leather with some shimmers of medium brown.

Brandy & Whiskey

Brandy Shell Cordovan is a medium to light brown tone. While some patina is expected over time, it won’t be as dark or vivid as the patinas earned by natural shell cordovan.

Whiskey Shell Cordovan is a medium to light brown tone, but a few shades lighter than Brandy. Like with the Brandy Shell,  some patina is expected over time, but it won’t be as dark or vivid as the patinas earned by natural shell cordovan.

Colors #2, 4, 6, & 8

Horween numbers these red and brown Shells in order of darkness–i.e. the proportion of brown to red– from #2 (lightest and most red) to #8, the darkest and most brown.

Color #2

A classic, oxblood red, color #2 has tones of cherry red and warm wood which will become even more apparent as the piece of leather ages. Color #2 is rarely produced.

Color #4

A rich and complex medium brown that flaunts hints of red and darker tones of brown in different lights, Color #4 is a rarely seen color of Shell Cordovan.

Color #6

Another rarely seen Shell, Color #6 Shell Cordovan is a medium-dark brown with dark red tones, a few shades lighter than Color #8.

Color #8

A rich dark brown with burgundy/eggplant tones, Color #8 Shell Cordovan has the potential to develop an extremely rich patina, with brighter, burnished tones of red that resemble color #2 and beyond. Coveted by leather heads around the world, Color #8 is often referred to simply as ‘Cordovan’.

Cigar

A medium-to-dark brown that is produced exclusively for Alden.

Cognac

Similar to Brand and Whiskey, Cognac Shell Cordovan is a rich medium-to-light brown.

Garnet

The most red Shell Cordovan out there, Garnet is a bright, woody red.

Gunmetal

A very rarely seen color of Shell Cordovan, Gunmetal is a grey tone that lives up to its name with shimmering silver hues.

Dark Green

A charming bottle green with emerald notes, green Shell Cordovan is a unique leather with the potential for some interesting patina.

Navy

A rich, dark navy.

Intense Blue

A brighter version of the navy Shell Cordovan.

Mahogany

Mahogany shell Cordovan is an antique brown with a touch of red.

Natural

Undyed and glazed Shell Cordovan. The shells are glazed with an old fashioned glazing jack which quickly rubs a glass rod back and forth on the hide to give it a polished look.

Natural Shell Cordovan has the most potential when it comes to patina, as it is undyed, leaving it to age and darken itself.

Natural (unglazed)

Natural Shell Cordovan which has had the glazing step omitted, leaving it with a matt texture that reveals more of the leather’s natural character.

Natural Shell Cordovan has the most potential when it comes to patina, as it is undyed, leaving it to age and darken itself.

Ravello

An antique brown colorway made exclusively for Alden.

Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet is one of the most playful colors of cordovan, with a deep fuschia tone that borders on hot pink and raspberries. Take note if you ever get into leather goods, Lisa Frank!