Acqua di Parma Colonia (1916)
by Acqua di Parma

Oh, truly beautiful. A gorgeous, succulent citrus opening that dries down into clean lavender florals and spicy wood notes. Extremely clean, light, refreshing, and full of class. Timeless. Definitely agree with the snob appeal. I love it in the summer during the heat, but I love it in the winter to remind me of warmer, sunnier times.

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Sublime, feather light masculine scent of the true connoisseur... that utilizes discrete, powdery florals and bright, arid citrus notes to achieve unparalleled, transparent freshness and low profile opulence.

Top notes are lavender and something aquatic. Kind of powdery or feminine - reminds me of some sort of product you'd find in a bathroom, though I can't put my finger on what. Also some citrus notes here, primarily lemon I think. It just sort of stays like this. It's not offensive, but it's not really enticing either. It seems fitting for 1916.

I must say this fragrance is truly wonderful. I agree with Luca Turin that is has an Edwardian flair (since it was introduced shortly after he left the throne). AdP opens with a sparkling, elegant lemon tempered with lavender and a bouquet of Herbs du Provence like rosemary, thyme, and basil. After about ten minutes the floral heart kicks in. This is not a perfumey or powerful floral like Hammam Bouquet, but a conservative, moderately dry field of rich Bulgarian roses blended exquisitely with exotic ylang and a drop of stuffy jasmine. AdP eventually dries down to a light musk, moss, and cedar base. As far as I am concerned, this IS the traditional cologne embodying all the elements of turn of the century perfumery. I high recommend it.

Truly a "reference" fragrance. Classic in composition, I consider it simply the benchmark of colognes!