Acqua Di Parma is a fantastic niche Italian fragrance house known for its light and fresh scents. It has been around since 1916 and is still popular to this day, which speaks volumes about the high-quality scents they produce. If you’re on the hunt for your next cologne, then look no further; here are 15 to choose from!
The House Of Acqua Di Parma And Its Fragrances
Acqua di Parma is an Italian niche fragrance house known for producing high-quality fragrances for both men and women. The brand began as a small factory in Parma and progressively became more popular until it became a symbol for Italian chic. Acqua di Parma had celebrity admirers prior to and post WW2 including Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.
The first fragrance was produced in 1916 and was used to scent gentlemen’s handkerchiefs; since then, they have released around 80 fragrances. Nowadays, Aqua di Parma works on restoring and reproducing older, vintage fragrances as well as working on new projects such as the creation of their new aromatherapy line. They remain popular due to their fresh, summery scents that use a collection of gorgeous ingredients to produce top-quality products.
As they are a niche fragrance house, it comes as no surprise that their prices are higher than your average brand; however, it’s worth the investment. Many of the men’s colognes have citrus top notes and earthy base notes to capture the essence of nature during the spring and summer. Although many of the scents follow the same structure, they utilize many other ingredients to ensure each scent is unique. Now you know a bit more about the brand, have a look below at the 15 best men’s Acqua di Parma fragrances and pick one out for yourself!
1. Blu Mediterraneo Aranci Di Capria
This aromatically citrus fragrance was released in 1999; it’s fresh and is perfect for the warm summer days. It has a gorgeous blend of delectable notes that are sweet, juicy, and sour, all coming together to create something truly wonderful.
- Top notes: Orange, Sicilian Mandarin, Bergamot and Lemon.
- Middle notes: Petitgrain and Cardamom.
- Base notes: Caramel and Musk.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Aranci Di Capria Smell Like?
The lemon is the one most noticeable note in the opening; it’s sour with sweet undertones and is outstandingly cheerful and vibrant. This is supported by the other citrus notes, which range from delicately sweet and fruity to aromatically sour. The other note that’s most strongly presented is the note of orange, which really is the main focus of this cologne.
The orange is juicy, fruity, and sweet, and along with the other citrus notes, is carried into the heart of the fragrance. The freshness of all these citruses is heightened by the presence of the dry and aromatic petitgrain. We also have a dash of warm spice, which is sweet and aromatic with a bitter aftertaste.
This bitterness is softened by the base notes as the caramel sweetens the whole cologne eradicating any sourness from the citrus and bitterness from the spices. The caramel adds a gourmand elegance and makes it very easy to wear and ensures the dry down is inoffensive and delicate. Musk is also present in the dry down adding a light, powdery and clean scent to ensure the cologne remains light and summery.
This is such a perfect fragrance for the summer, regardless of the occasion; it has the gentle freshness for casual wear and the seductive spicy richness that works well for a more formal occasion. This cologne is as versatile and easy-to-wear as they come. There’s simply no going wrong with this one, no matter who you are or where you are.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-6 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
2. Colonia
Colonia is the very first fragrance ever created by Acqua Di Parma. This cologne dates all the way back to 1916 but still manages to be relevant to this day. That really speaks to the quality of this extremely refreshable and likable fragrance.
- Fragrance notes: Sicilian Citruses, Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon Verbena, Bulgarian Rose, Vetiver, White Musk, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Amber, and Patchouli.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Smell Like?
Colonia opens bright and citrusy and even has some soapy qualities. There’s a bunch of citruses at the front, all providing a juicy, zest, and bright scent, but these are backed by a few aromatic herbal notes and floral notes. The combination of all these notes creates that clean and soapy scent, but you’re still able to detect the individual notes as well.
This clean and fresh scent will continue on for a long while, only to become just a tad bit warmer. The citruses take a step back and the aromatic notes start to come forth. This creates an almost barbershop-like scent that’s equally amazing compared to the soapy citrusy opening.
In the dry down, a few woody notes start to appear, serving as a rich and warm base for the other notes to thrive on. There’s also an earthy hint of vetiver, but the vetiver is also clean and green. Overall, you’re left with an extremely refreshing cologne that still has some power behind it. And that’s what makes this fragrance so great; it’s fresh, but also strong and noticeable.
Due to the primarily fresh scent, this cologne is best worn when it’s warmer outside. The citruses, paired with the woods and herbal notes are great for the spring and summer and can be worn pretty much all the time. Whether you’re off to work, hanging out with friends, or working out, this cologne will be amazing for you!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
3. Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo Di Sicilia
Mandorlo Di Sicilia is another fragrance that kind of strays away from the standard Acqua Di Parma structure. This is a versatile cologne that has a heavy focus on almond and vanilla. Launched in 1999, this fragrance has been a favorite from the house ever since.
Top notes: Green Almond, Star Anise, Orange and Bergamot.
Middle notes: White Peach, Ylang-Ylang and Jasmine.
Base notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Tolu Balsam, White Musk and Cedar.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo Di Sicilia Smell Like?
This fragrance opens with the bitter-sweet almond, which is the most prominent note in the cologne. The star anise softens the bitterness and warms up the opening with its intense powdery spice. The citrus notes act as support, adding fresh sourness that balances against the other rich notes perfectly. Unlike many other Acqua Di Parma fragrances, this does not have a powerfully citrus opening and instead, they only hover gently in the background.
The heart of this scent is gorgeously light, sweet, and floral with a decadent fruitiness that runs throughout. The rich florals and fruits have sour undertones and woody nuances that highlight the sourness of the citrus notes from the opening. The presence of light, delicate notes in the heart prevent this fragrance from becoming too overwhelmingly dark and rich.
The base notes are warm and rich and make for an intensely satisfying finish to this stunning scent. The base has an oriental feel to it as the tolu balsam and bourbon vanilla combine to create an amber-like, sweet balsamic scent. They are supported by the woodiness of the cedar and the clean musk, which rounds off the fragrance and leaves an intoxicating dry down that lasts for hours.
Overall, this is simply gorgeous; it has intense nuttiness, vanilla, and sweetness with undertones of fruits, citrus, and spices. The wide variety of ingredients means this can be worn all year round, for any occasion, any time of day. This might be one of the most versatile fragrances from Acqua Di Parma, and a great-smelling one at that!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 7-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
4. Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria
Bergamotto Di Calabria is part of the Blu Mediterraneo line and is based around the note of bergamot. This fragrance was released in 2010 and has a wonderfully fresh and bright scent that perfectly captures the Calabrian bergamot orchards.
- Top notes: Bergamot and Citrus.
- Middle notes: Ginger, Cedar and Flowers.
- Base notes: Vetiver, Musk and Benzoin.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria Smell Like?
The opening of Bergamotto Di Calabria is bright and zesty with the bergamot at the forefront. The bergamot is fresh and extremely natural and it’s supported by a few more citrusy notes. These all come together to create something lively and refreshing. Aside from smelling refreshing, this cologne is also quite strong, but never overpowering.
A little while after the opening, you can start to pick up a refreshing touch of spicy ginger, along with a warm scent of cedarwood. The cedarwood adds to the realistic scent of bergamot and enhances the natural feeling. Every now and then, you can also notice a soft influence of floral notes, but these stay in the background for the most part.
In the dry down, there’s an earthy scent of vetiver, as well as a resinous undertone of benzoin. Along with these two notes is a clean scent of musk, all adding to the overall refreshing and natural scent. With all these notes added, it should be noted that the bergamot will always be the most prominent and noticeable of them all.
With the bergamot front and center, it should come as no surprise that this cologne is perfect for the warm spring and summer days. During these warm days, this cologne is amazing in both formal and casual settings; the bergamot is refreshing, bright, and inoffensive. Bergamotto Di Calabria is just a great all-rounder, no matter when or where you wear it.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 7-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
5. Colonia Sandalo
Colonia Sandalo is a fresh cologne based around citruses and woody notes. It was launched in 2016 and has been an amazing addition to the Acqua Di Parma fragrance collection ever since!
- Top notes: Orange, Bergamot, Lemon and Petitgrain.
- Middle notes: Lavender and Cardamom.
- Base notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean and Amber.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo Smell Like?
Colonia Sandalo opens with a burst of different citrusy notes. There’s the juicy and sweet scent of orange, paired with a bright and vibrant bergamot, sweet and sour lemon, and even an aromatic touch of petitgrain. All of these citrusy notes come together to create a fresh and typically Acqua Di Parma opening.
From here, the notes of lavender and cardamom start to appear. The lavender is rich, fresh, and aromatic, whereas the cardamom is fresh and spicy. Both add a refreshing touch to the scent without overtaking the citruses. This is also the point where the note of sandalwood starts to appear.
The sandalwood is rich and creamy and quickly makes its way to the front. However, this sandalwood isn’t like your typical sandalwood-based fragrance. Although rich and creamy, the sandalwood takes a more woody and less creamy approach. This makes it a little more natural-smelling and makes it pair perfectly with the citruses and lavender/cardamom.
Overall, this is an amazing fragrance that can honestly be worn all year long. The fresh opening ensures it’s great for the warmer months, whereas the sandalwood provides the scent with some warmth, making it great for the colder months. Throughout the year, there also aren’t really any restrictions to this cologne. It goes great in both formal and casual settings, either during the day or at night.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 7-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
6. Colonia Oud
This is an immensely popular woody citrus fragrance released in 2012; it’s easy to wear and versatile with strong leather and oud nuances and a touch of spice. Colonia Oud, made by Francois Demachy, is the embodiment of style and elegance.
- Top notes: Calabrian bergamot and Italian Orange.
- Middle notes: Agarwood (Oud), Amyris and Coriander.
- Base notes: Leather, Sandalwood, Musk, Atlas Cedar and Indonesian Patchouli Leaf.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud Smell Like?
The fragrance opens with gorgeously rich and vibrant citrus notes; the bergamot is aromatically sour and bright while the Italian orange is sweet and fruity. The opening is bursting with color and will take your breath away every single time.
The oud quickly moves into the forefront and dominates the heart of the fragrance with its rich, musty, and nutty aroma. Alongside the oud, we get a gentle peppery-like spice and a fresh balsamic scent from the Amyris, which also has citrus nuances.
The base notes are dark and rich and contain the warmth and sweetness that makes this such a versatile fragrance. In the dry down there is a combination of powerfully earthy and woody notes combined with warm, sweet spices and aromatic green nuances. The dry down has a strong scent of smoky leather and the musk is clean and powdery, which blends well with the citrus notes.
With its fresh opening and rich base notes, it’s appropriate for almost all months, as it’s not quite light enough to be suitable for the summer months. However, it can be worn any time of day for any occasion so if you’re heading out to dinner or even popping into the shops, this is a great one for the collection.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter, Fall and Spring
- Occasions: Formal and Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 8-10 hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
7. Blu Mediterraneo Fico Di Amalfi
This is a floral fruity fragrance released in 2006; it combines florals, citrus, and rich base notes to create a naturally sweet and easy-to-wear scent. Another perfect addition to the Blu Mediterraneo line!
Top notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Citron and Lemon.
Middle notes: Fig Nectar, Jasmine and Pink Pepper.
Base notes: Fig Tree, Cedar and Benzoin.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Fico Di Amalfi Smell Like?
Like many other Acqua di Parma fragrances, this opens with powerful citrus notes. Fico di Amalfi combines sweet and sour citrus notes that are aromatic with fruity undertones. Each of these notes is vivid and colorful, making it the perfect addition for when the sun is shining!
As we move into the heart of the fragrance, we experience our first taste of the fig; the nectar is sweet, reminiscent of honey, and gorgeously fruity. It also has a floral edge, which is accentuated by the jasmine; we also have hints of fresh spice and rosy nuances running throughout the heart.
As the fragrance develops, so does the fig; the fig tree is more of a dry, green, aromatic note – it feels very different compared to the nectar. It does, however, retain its fruity edge and this greener note works perfectly with the other base notes. The cedar adds an earthy woodiness and the benzoin is sweet, reminiscent of vanilla, accentuating the natural sweetness of the other notes beautifully.
Overall, Acqua di Parma has produced yet another stunning fragrance – this is slightly different from the others as it has less focus on woody base notes, fewer spices, and is much sweeter. This is another cologne that is perfect for the spring and summer days and it’s easy to wear; just one of the reasons it’s so popular.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
8. Colonia Leather
This sensual cologne, made by Francois Demachy, blends fresh citrus notes with rich, woody base notes and aromatic leather to create an unconventionally complex scent. This was released in 2014 and is darker than most other Acqua Di Parma colognes making it a more unique addition to their collection.
- Top notes: Brazilian Orange and Lime.
- Middle notes: Rose and Petitgrain.
- Base notes: Leather, Guaiac Wood and Cedar.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Leather Smell Like?
Like many Acqua Di Parma scents, this cologne opens with strong citrus notes; this time orange and lime, and both are a mix of sweet and sour. This is a simple opening but is gorgeously fresh with an aromatic tang that adds a dash of mystery. There’s also a soft undertone of fresh and clean leather present, but the leather really comes into play at a later point.
The petitgrain carries the citrus aroma down through the heart of the fragrance and adds a dryer, aromatic edge slightly dulling the vibrancy of the opening notes. The rose is clean with rosy and classy nuances; the heart is also simple and fresh; however, the base notes take over and dominate the scent quickly.
The leather is the most potent ingredient and completely takes over the senses, darkening the cologne. It’s thick and aromatic and blends perfectly with the woody base notes and there is a hint of smokiness running throughout the dry down. We can still feel the presence of the citrus notes, however, they feel darker and richer with a more masculine edge than they did in the opening.
This is a versatile fragrance that can be worn almost all year round but due to the rich smokiness of the base notes, it’s not suited for the summer months. This can be worn regardless of the occasion or time of day; it’s easy to wear, seductive, elegant, and has an amazing development.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter, Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 8-10 Hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
9. Colonia Intensa
This is a woody fragrance that has a strong focus on citruses, warm spices, and aromatic notes. It’s an intensely masculine summer cologne that could easily become a signature scent. Launched in 2007, this cologne was made by two master perfumers: Alberto Morillas and Francois Demachy.
Top notes: Citruses, Bergamot, Cardamom, Ginger and Sicilian Lemon.
Middle notes: Neroli, Cedar, Myrrh, Guaiac Wood and Artemisia.
Base notes: Leather, Benzoin, Musk and Patchouli.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Intensa Smell Like?
We immediately notice the fresh citrus notes, which are sweetly sour with aromatic, fruity nuances. Alongside the citrus, we have warm spices to soften the sourness; the cardamom is spicy and aromatic with a slightly bitter aftertaste. This works well alongside the ginger, which is more of a fresh spice with a citrus facet.
The heart is intensely aromatic; the neroli and artemisia are strongly aromatic and green with a slight bitterness to them. This bitterness is swiftly dulled by the woody and warm balsamic notes; we also have guaiac wood, which is a complexly sweet yet smoky and leathery note.
In the dry down, the leather is particularly powerful with smoky undertones and is gorgeously paired with the benzoin, which has a sweetness like vanilla. The dark earthiness and musk also add to our array of base notes, all of which darken and dampen the citrus notes. The citrus is still present in the dry down, however, it has a slightly more masculine feel.
This gorgeously aromatic scent is best worn during the spring and summer days for any occasion. Despite the warmer and richer notes in the dry down, this cologne is primarily fresh, easy to wear, and long-lasting, making it great for those hot days. If you like citrus, spices, and herbs then you can’t go wrong with Colonia Intensa!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 8-9 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
10. Blu Mediterraneo Mirto Di Panarea
This is another fantastic fragrance from the Blue Mediterraneo line; it was released in 2008 and is a woody aromatic fragrance made by Francois Demachy. This was created to vividly reflect the stunning landscapes of Italy through vibrant citrus notes, calming herbal notes, and rich base notes.
Top notes: Myrtle, Lemon, Bergamot and Basil.
Middle notes: Sea Notes, Jasmine and Rose.
Base notes: Juniper, Cedar, Mastic and Amber.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mirto Di Panarea Smell Like?
We are initially greeted with a host of citrus notes that are sour, fresh, and vibrant with an underlying sweet fruitiness. The myrtle softens the sourness as it’s a gentle, aromatic herb with a floral edge. We also feel the presence of the fresh spice of the basil, which gives the cologne and kick and highlights the undertones of the other notes beautifully.
The heart of the fragrance is light and fresh with the sea notes adding an aquatic saltiness capturing the scent of the sea. They are supported by the intense white florals and rose, which is lemony-fresh with a clean, powdery facet and rosy nuances. This scent already perfectly captures the Italian landscapes with its many citruses, florals, and aquatic touches.
The base notes add a touch of richness; just enough to add depth but not enough to overpower the rest of the cologne. The base notes are mainly comprised of fresh balsamic scents with aromatic herbs, which are nicely combined with soft woody notes and the oriental sweetness of the amber. The base notes continue to soften the citrus notes so we’re left with a tranquil dry down making this fragrance one you will not easily forget.
Overall, this is a light and fresh cologne that radiates tranquillity as the creators succeeded in their venture to capture the stunning Italian landscape. This was made for the spring and summer and is best worn in casual settings, where you can wear this one pretty much at all times.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$):$$
11. Osmanthus
Acqua Di Parma’s Osmanthus, launched in 2019, is one of the most amazing osmanthus-based fragrances. Osmanthus is a fruity and flowery fragrance note that isn’t that commonly used. In this cologne, it is used to perfection!
- Top notes: Neroli and Green Mandarin.
- Middle notes: Ambrette, Peony and Pink Pepper.
- Base notes: Osmanthus and Patchouli.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Osmanthus Smell Like?
The opening of Osmanthus immediately shows you what this fragrance is all about. It opens beautifully with floral notes at the forefront, backed by that fruity and flowery osmanthus. The osmanthus immediately positions itself in the front, where it will stay for the remainder of this cologne.
Not long after the opening, a few fresh citruses start to appear. There’s the clean scent of neroli, backed by a fresh and slightly bitter scent of green mandarin. These two citruses add that classic Acqua Di Parma DNA while not overpowering the osmanthus in any way. Instead, they serve as a nice backbone.
As this cologne starts to dry down, a soft undertone of patchouli starts to show. The patchouli is sweet and slightly spicy and adds a unique layer to the scent. Still, the fresh citruses, florals, and, of course, osmanthus, are at the forefront, but they’re backed by something slightly richer.
Osmanthus is truly an incredible fragrance that perfectly displays an uncommonly used note. With its refreshing scent, it’s perfect for both the spring and summer, where you can wear it either casually or formally. This fragrance just smells very pleasant and inoffensive, which makes it work great in any setting.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$):$$
12. Colonia Quercia
This is a much more versatile Acqua Di Parma scent as it ventures into warm spices with intensely rich base notes. It does still contain fresh citruses in the opening but these are not the primary focus of this cologne. It’s also one of the more recent creations of the house with its release dating back to 2019.
Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain and Pink Pepper
Middle notes: Geranium, Cedar and Cardamom
Base notes: Oakmoss, Tonka Bean and Patchouli
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Quercia Smell Like?
This cologne opens with the powerful citrusy notes we’re used to; we have fruity bergamot with the sour yet vibrant lemon. We also have petitgrain in the opening, which is a much dryer, more aromatic citrus note, in combination with a fresh spicy note of cardamom.
The heart of the fragrance is dominated by the geranium, which is an intensely rosy floral note with green, aromatic undertones. We have a soft, woody note in the heart and the cardamom is a warm sweet, spice with an aromatic richness and bitter aftertaste. The heart begins to darken and become richer and warmer, setting the stage for the rest of the fragrance.
The dry down sees the sweet yet dark and earthy patchouli, which is naturally aromatic. The tonka bean is has a sweet vanilla-like scent with grassy green facets – it’s warm and creamy, softening the citrus notes and warming up the entire cologne. However, it’s the oakmoss that is most prominent in the dry down; it’s slightly bitter with a thick natural woody scent that brings this whole fragrance together.
This can be worn during the spring, summer and fall; it can be worn in winter but isn’t quite warm enough to be fully compatible with the coldest months. It can be worn casually during the day or to the office, but it’s also a great companion for an evening out on the town. It’s all-around elegant and stunning and is a definite must-try.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer and Fall
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 8-10 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
13. Cedro Di Taormina
This is a gorgeously crafted cologne designed to reflect the landscape of Taormina; it has volcanic rock formations and lush greenery. The color of the bottle was even designed to reflect the color of the sea. This is spicy, woody, and fresh – absolutely amazing.
- Top notes: Citruses, Petitgrain and Basil.
- Middle notes: Lavender and Black Pepper.
- Base notes: Virginian Cedar, Vetiver and Labdanum.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Cedro Di Taormina Smell Like?
The citrus notes are fresh, sour, and powerful while the petitgrain is a dry herbaceous citrus note made from leaves and branches, giving it a more aromatic scent. There are undertones of fresh spice and collectively, they feel like the fresh air on a summer’s day. An absolutely stunning opening with an immersive scent.
The heart of the fragrance encompasses the aromatic clean, floral scent of lavender, which has powerfully green and spicy undertones. The black pepper is a warm spice and is, initially, very intense and hot but dies down quickly leaving a gentle earthy spice in the background. As the black pepper begins to die down, we begin to feel the base notes come into the forefront.
The base notes are earthy and green and the cedar is a soft woody note that has a creamy, milky texture to it. The labdanum is dark, rich, and powerfully leathery and really intensifies the other base notes, which also highlights the slight amber-like warmth running throughout the dry down. Still, all these rich and dark notes never really overpower the freshness established in the opening.
Overall, this is fresh, vibrant, and very easy to wear. The perfumers wanted to capture nature in a bottle and they certainly succeeded; this is absolutely perfect for the spring and summer days. It’s best suited to casual days out, but it also works great in a formal setting. That’s the beauty of fresh and easy-to-wear colognes such as this.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
14. Colonia Ambra
Colonia Ambra, launched in 2015, is one of the warmer fragrances from the house and it prominently features the note of amber. Alongside the amber is a fresh and aquatic scent, making for a rather unique cologne.
- Fragrance notes: Ambergris, Musk, and Sea Notes.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Colonia Ambra Smell Like?
Colonia Ambra opens with an unusual scent that’s heavily focused on the sea notes. The scent is salty and aquatic in a very natural way, as if you’re standing next to a rough ocean. This scent might not be for everyone, but luckily, it quickly settles down into something gorgeous.
From here, the note of musk starts to appear, giving off a clean and slightly salty scent. This salty touch goes great with the aquatic opening, accentuating the marine-like feel. Along with the musk is a scent of rose, although the note of rose is not mentioned in the note breakdown. Still, there’s this soft floral, rosy scent present that adds a lively touch to the overall scent.
In the dry down, the cologne becomes much warmer. This is due to the addition of amber, which is warm and rich. The actual note of amber is not present in the note breakdown, but there is the note of ambergris, which is warm, rich, and also salty. Ambergris has soft aquatic qualities, tying in perfectly with the aquatic nuances that have been present thus far.
Overall, Colonia Ambra is a wonderful aquatic cologne with warm ambery nuances. Despite the aquatic freshness, this is definitely a cologne that’s better suited for the colder months. The actual scent of this fragrance, although aquatic, is a little heavy, making it fit in much better with the lower temperatures. During the colder months, this cologne is best-worn casually, either during the day or at night.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall, Winter, and Spring
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
15. Essenza Di Colonia
Essenza Di Colonia is an aromatic citrus fragrance released in 2010; this has a powerful citrus opening and earthy base notes creating a freshly complex scent. It is the embodiment of style and elegance and will ultimately blow you away.
- Top notes: Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Mandarin and Petitgrain.
- Middle notes: Rosemary, Rose, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley and Clove.
- Base notes: Patchouli, White Musk and Amber.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Essenza Di Colonia Smell Like?
Essenza di Colonia’s opening notes balance honey-like sweetness from the orange and mandarin with a sourness from the bergamot and lemon. The petitgrain is dry and aromatic and the whole opening has undertones of fruits and spices. It has an immediate light and summery feel, which is only heightened by the middle notes.
As we move into the heart, the jasmine takes the stage as it’s intensely fresh and sweet and delicate and brings out the fruitiness of the opening notes. There is also a soapy clean scent from the other florals that have rosy and green nuances. In addition, we have aromatic, warm spices that aren’t overpowering but instead add depth and intensity.
The base notes really ground this fragrance by providing an earthy, oriental base while still allowing the citrus notes to be felt in the dry down. The patchouli is particularly dark and earthy, which is paired with the sweet and warm amber; the light musk rounds off this scent perfectly.
Overall, this is an amazing cologne that’s best worn in the spring and summer. Its extremely refreshing scent is perfect for a warm spring or summer day, and the lightness of this cologne only helps with that. This is a fragrance well suited to a day in the office but is just as great for a fun day at the beach or in the city. It could easily become a signature scent.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
Are Acqua Di Parma Fragrances Worth It?
The house of Acqua Di Parma has some beautiful colognes that are mostly suitable for the warm, summer months but there are many that are more versatile. You can’t really go wrong with any of these high-quality products and they will genuinely take your breath away.
Considering this is a niche fragrance house, the prices are surprisingly affordable and the bottle sizes are very generous. However, if you’re unsure whether you want to commit to a whole bottle immediately, you can always purchase a decant of a few potential favorites. A decant is a small bottle, usually around 5ml or 10ml filled with the original fragrance; this provides a more affordable way to test the colognes that you are most interested in without having to break the bank.
You can learn more about decants, what they are, and where to purchase them by reading this article!
As a whole, Acqua Di Parma is an amazing fragrance house producing top-quality scents that are long-lasting and easy to wear. Many are based around citrus notes and spices with a nice collection of other herbs, fruits, and woody notes. Even though many have the same general composition, each cologne is completely unique and is 100% a must-try.