Acqua di Gio needs no introduction. It is the most purchased and popular men's cologne and for good reason. It is a highly versatile sexy aquatic and musky citrus. I had fond memories of this fragrance from my teenage years. A girl that I had a short-term relationship with in high school put me on ADG, claiming it was her favorite scent on guys. She loved it on me. Women in general loved and still love the scent of ADG.
It was one of the few colognes I owned in those days and I only used it for special occasions. It reminded me of the holidays and when I spent time with the people I cared about the most. However, one of its biggest strengths, its appeal, became its ultimate weakness. Over time, I noticed so many men wearing it, it seemed like every other guy who wore colognes made this their signature. It started to lose its appeal to me, I started to lose that nostalgic feeling by the time my bottle was empty in my mid-20s. Such a shame... I was let down...
...that was until I discovered Acqua Di Gio Profumo...
It was like the popular boy grew up to be a successful and well put together man. No longer was he content with flirting around with the girls, he was moving on to bigger and better things, mature and independent women who could appreciate his value as a man.
NOTES
ORIGINAL
Top Notes
Jasmine,
Rosemary,
Hespiradic Notes
Heart Notes
Persimmon Fruits
Marine Notes
Base Notes
Cedar,
Patchouli,
White Musk,
Rock Rose
_______________________________________________
PROFUMO
Top Notes
Bergamot,
Aquatic notes
Heart Notes
Geranium,
Sage,
Rosemary
Base Notes
Patchouli,
Incense
Notice the difference in the notes between the original and the Profumo flanker.
The main takeaways here is that the Hespiradic notes were removed with incense and herbs added in. The Hespiradic notes are what gave the original that huge citrus opening, as these notes are defined as oils from a variety of citrus fruits such as bergamot, lemon, orange, and tangerine.
The big players in Profumo are the amped-up notes of patchouli and incense. We will cover that shortly....
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
Four bottle sizes are listed on Giorgio Armani's website:
1.4oz (40ml) ~$72USD
4.3oz (125ml) ~$130USD
6oz (180ml) ~$150USD
10.1oz (300ml) ~$180USD
The prices are quite high for a designer fragrance and when compared to the original, however, that is partially due to Profumo being in Eau De Parfum concentration while the original was Eau De Toilet.
You can find a great discount on grey market websites such as www.fragrancenet.com. The 4.3oz bottle runs about $85USD and the 6oz bottle runs about $106USD (as of this writing).
The scent was launched in 2015 and the fragrance was created by perfumer Alberto Morillas. This is nearly 20 years after the original that was launched in 1996.
The presentation is exactly like the original Acqua di Gio except the bottle is a black frosted glass rather than a white frosted glass. The bottle is contemporary and classy, with a silver collar underneath the cap. The designer house and fragrance name are embossed on the glass in a dark silver font.
SCENT/SITUATION
What I get from this fragrance is the same DNA as the original, that bergamot-y citrus and marine saltiness, but the aquatic note is far more prominent and rich in Profumo. The floral muskiness of the original has been altered ever-so-slightly. Rather than that familar bright vibrancy, it takes on a depth, like taking a journey many fathoms under the ocean's surface.
I always wanted to try scuba diving...
Perhaps it is the difference between the geranium and the jasmine in the composition. Either way, the change is very welcome to my nose. Rather than being zesty along with the citrus, it merely provides a backdrop for the spices. I have stated this in another review, sage is my favorite herb, and when combined with the rosemary and the incense, it creates this intoxicating mix. I get quick wafts of citrus here and there that occasionally reminds me of the original, almost like a playful inside joke.
The dry down takes this into a much different direction than ADG. That patchouli note looms large over the entire note summary and along with the incense creates a much more mature and ambery, buttery soft and creamy experience than one would have expected from the start. It reminds me a lot of Dolce & Gabanna's The One EDP in terms of raw feeling. Sexy with surety, but also much more potent than The One, while sporting that aquatic edge.
Kind of like Jason Momoa as Aquaman?
Many reviewers claim this is year-round versatile, and I can see that. Due to the aquatic vibe this gives off, it may not be the best choice for the winter, but the spiciness does allow this to be great for the fall season.
You could wear this for any occasion. I like this very much as a work and office scent, but any of the mass-appealing fragrances could be used at the office and be well received. I wouldn't hesitate to choose this for a date; she will love the way you smell almost guaranteed. It is different enough from the original that she might not even recognize it.
Any age group can pull this off, young, middle-age, old, it doesn't matter. It has elements of both youthful energy and mature self-assurance.
PERFORMANCE
This is a solid performer. 6 - 10 hours, which is kind of on the low to average side for an EDP. The projection and strength are amazing though. You don't need many sprays of this to get the desired effect. Sillage is in line with the strength, so you will leave a good scent trail. I am very pleased with the performance of this one when compared to the other mass appealing fragrances I have reviewed thus far.
RESOURCES
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Giorgio-Armani/Acqua-di-Gio-Profumo-29727.html
http://www.basenotes.net/ID26145389.html
VIDEOS
Jeremy Fragrances Review
Dracdoc Review
Max Forti Review
THOUGHTS/REVIEW
The original ADG is by far more "energetic" and "crisp" than ADG Profumo, but Profumo is superior in my humble opinion. It is just far more complex and mature, while still being classified as clean. It mellows things out while still retaining that undercurrent of sexy friskiness. As much as I hate to say this, because of what happened to the original with all of its ardent worshippers, this is without a doubt signature scent worthy. Just like the original, it is a compliment monster, even if it is becoming just as popular, even if it is recognizable, it is a people pleaser. A true darling.
I give this a 9.5/10. As far as I am concerned, it has replaced the original and I have no intention of looking back. It does what ADG does, but better. Why not give it a 10? Well, I can see this being almost too well liked just like ADG. It might be the budding fragrance snob in me, but I do like some illusion of uniqueness when I am wearing a fragrance. The thing I really want to stress here is that although I compare Profumo to the original quite a bit, it is a fragrance that really does stand on its own.
Sing it, Frankie...for ADG...the true original...
What Girls & Guys Said
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I don't know what I like better the cologne or the commercials LOL
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