Reviews of Acqua di Parma Colonia (1916)
by Acqua di Parma

a well made sample of liquid mediocrity. can't imagine what people thought of it in 1914....surely no man would have worn it then.

Wow! Do fragrances get any purer or more delicious than this? Beautiful citrus surrounded by fragrant flowers. A lovely garden illuminated by the sun of a perfect Mediterranean day.

In the interest of full disclosure, it must be admitted that I have never found a citrus-heavy scent remotely wearable; they seem to turn into noxious detergents on my skin. Sadly Colonia was no exception. One very much wants to participate in a venerable tradition, and one especially longs for a scent redolent of warm southern climes and happy seaside summers, but the intense lemon of Colonia was overwhelming and irritating. I couldn't wait to wash it off.

It is dedicated and elegant. In a world of excess, that we lived today, this is a good example that many times less is more. If bring to my senses a notion of freshness a flashback to older times when life was less chaotic.
I must also say that the bottle design and packaging is superb, spot on. In my humble opinion this is a must among perfumistas.

I like the flowery base in my skin after 15 minutes of aplication. very similar to extra vielle but more refined. not for young people.

Simple, smooth, elegant, and a true classic.

The opening is a little heavy but after a couple of minutes what is left blows away anything else close. GIT eat your heart out!

Well, I am interested to see that nearly all the reviews for AdP Colonia here are by gentlemen, as my lady wears this scent and she smells quite magnificent in it. Yes, with her, you certainly get that triumphant initial citrus blast, but this then settles into something quite dense, dark and herbaceous -- masculine, but fetching on a lady, nonetheless. Am also interested to read about the 'hyping' of this brand: I must say that she elected to buy this scent after having sniffed a large number of other colognes. Had it not been for her impatience, I would probably have bought her a bottle of the Chanel Exclusifs Cologne, which is sublime. AdP is an excellent substitute, nonetheless.

I can understand why many revere this as a classic, but it has poor longevity on my skin and the dry down just smells musty. I can't give it a thumbs down, though, because clearly the problem is with me and not with the juice itself.

An amazing scent. I'd say for a gentleman of a certain age it is perfection. It definitely has an old-school charm. It is assured and confident, yet never over-bearing or loud. I also use the Colonia bath oil, which is like moisturizing your skin with honey. Splash on the cologne following and you're ready to create your own Fellini escapade.

I do not understand the gripes about this scent being short-lived. On the contrary, it will get me through cocktails, a two hour plus piece of theater, and a small bite after. How can that possibly not be enough?

Strange that Trebor should say that it has sillage but no longevity, because it does the exactly the opposite thing on me. A classic eau de cologne executed in a textbook manner, but more floral and lively than some of the more austere ones. It feels great especially after a bath.

A really well-executed blend of citrus, herbs and rose. Very bright and sunny, I find it to be uplifting. A great introduction to rose for the man who may feel timid about rose in a man’s scent. I think it is better suited for a man than a woman. Its place as a classic is well-deserved. It lasts about 4 hours per application on me.

A classic citrus scent for summer, with great sillage. My only gripe is that it's very short-lived.

Clean, lively, and luscious: Experiencing the opening certainly makes me understand why Acqua di Parma Colonia is one of the uber classics – it can’t get much better than this as far as a compelling citrus accord is concerned. Citrus, rosemary, rose, and verbena: an accord made in heaven. Of course, the verbena is the first note to disappear, then the citrus exits, leaving the rose and herbal accord with the rosemary being the primary note in the herbal bouquet. The rose is a simple, gentle note that doesn’t seem to be meant as a stand out note – simply a gentle rose element in the accord. The rose / herbal accord lasts for almost an hour when I have moisturized well – twenty minutes if I haven’t moisturized. It’s a clean and refreshing accord – enjoyable. About all that’s left for the drydown is a simple white musk that also doesn’t last. I can see why Acqua di Parma is a classic and why it is still important even though it has poor longevity. The opening accord is bewitching, and the rose / herbal accord is extraordinarily refreshing. This is a totally enjoyable fragrance for those who can accept its ephemeral life span.

this is class in a bottle

Acqua di Parma is an old-school cologne, in the style of 4711 or R&G Extra Vielle. AdP is a bit sweeter, heavier and more floral than those other classic scents which project a citrusy personality. Here the rose dominates, and makes AdP too floral to suit me. It is a beautiful, classy scent... just not my style.

Not particularly impressed. For me, too sweet and long-lasting (thats not, by any means, a bad thing).

I say it contains too much rose, too much lemon sorbet (I don't get a particularly natural lemon note here), and too much of something that smells like graphite pencil shavings.

I hear that the original contained much more lavander, rosemary, bergamot, neroli and natural Sicilian lemon, and less rose, and at one stage, was considered on of the finest renditions of Eau de Colonge on Earth!

Well, I managed to get a whiff of a bottle my Nana received at the end of WWII, and it did smell fresher, cleaner, less sweet, and more Eau de Cologne-like, much to my suprise! It seems that it kept very well these past 6 decades.

But alas, it is not what is available for now...

As for the fragrance's history... Several years ago I became acquainted with an ex-employee of italian firm "Magnani Glans", the last brand's owner before Luca Cordero de Montezzemolo and Diego Dalla Valle. He told me, that the fragrance was composed by an englishman, named Rose (I'm not sure for his surname spelling), who lived in Parma that time. He made two fragrances: "Style" for the italian market and "Acqua di Parma" as an export product. The local perfumes factory "Adams" was the manufacturer.
At early 70's "Magnani Glans" went broke eng sig. Luigi Magnani sold the brand to the shirt factory, named "Pizzarotti", who continued to produce "Acqua di Parma" till late 70's. Ultimately the name was bought by two friends and successful brand developers L.C. De Mentezzemolo ("Ferrari") and Diega Dalla Valle ("Tod's")

After having read and cosidered the myriad of pros and cons provided on Basenotes, I sought a sample to test AdPC. I was unable to find a sample and decided to (gulp) purchase a bottle. I rarely engage in such a radical manner any longer (at least since buying GIT from Creed and absolutely hating it!). My bottle of Colonia arrived and I anxiously applied it to my arm in the hopes of finding it decent. I did not. I waited several days to apply it on a weekend so that I could hide if I found it truly bad. Shockingly, I did not. I was intrigued. This was the type of scent I was looking for when I began seeking out fragrances years ago. This was a masculing scent that was subtle and wonderful at the same time. My wife actuallly asked what I was wearing! I have found a winner! I am a big AdP Colonia fan and highly recommend it to all for day and night. This is a classy scent that would work well on a hot Summer night or a cold business dinner. Longevity has been fine (7-8 hours) and sillage is perfect for me-close contact is rewarded. Try this scent!

Notes: English Lavender, Sicilian citrus, rosemary, verbena, Bulgarian rose, jasmine
vetiver, Mysore sandalwood, ylang ylang, cedar, amber, white musk
“Tradition” rarely represents the seamless historical continuity that invests ideas, objects, or practices with authority or cultural cachet. How many times have you stood in a supposedly medieval church that was really bombed to rubble in WWII and then rebuilt as a “medieval church” ? The famed Nuremberg Christkindl market is a Nazi invention in its current form (they also gothicized many Romanesque or Renaissance buildings because gothic was considered to be “Aryan.”) I do not know how many tourists take the Houses of Parliament to be medieval buildings rather than neo-gothic reconstructions actually of more recent date than the White House.
What am I driving at here? The fact, of course, that many fragrance houses use their supposedly venerable age and an unbroken tradition reaching back to some quasi-mythical founder as a means of increasing their prestige, turning cultural capital into brand power, higher prices and a marketable story. 4711 and Carthusia give us romantic fairytales about monks. Creed is the most blatant example, perhaps, of a constant insistence on traditionality, coupled with virtually absolute silence on any significant details of the house’s actual history. Who ever learns, that the Creed’s were couturiers first and only incidentally perfumers (these crafts being closely related, of course, since perfume served to scent accessoires, not skin, until the end of the 19th century). Acqua di Parma is another case of history looming large, though they have not chosen the seamless tradition spiel for their narrative, but the “phoenix risen from the ashes” model. A prestigious cologne, though hardly old, the (supposedly, hopefully) all-natural AdP was created in 1916, when synthetics-based perfumery was already in full flush and the market had shifted from its restricted aristocratic and haute-bourgeoisie clientel towards mass production for an increasingly broadening white collar consumer class. It is just about the time that 4711 (as which it was reinvented 1881 after Farina Gegenüber achieved prohibition, having lobbied for the introduction of the trademark system, of the use of its name by plagiarizers such as the Mühlens family), an industrially produced cheap cologne became a household name that would obliterate the original artisanal product (Farina Gegenüber) in the public consciousness. AdP was a late but successful newcomer, and like Creed, it played on its popularity among the new aristocracy during its halcyon days in the 1930s-1950s: Hollywood stars. Then, as tastes changed, it was out, living a twilight existence, only to be rejuvenated in the course of the new craving for old style luxury that began in the yuppie 80s and became full-blown during the New Economy, whose progenitors, like the robber barons of the 1880s craved the emblems of old money once they retired to their patrician estates. The Italian rejuvenators, old hands in the luxury business, refashioned AdP into a prestigious “must have” in the right circles, expanded the line massively (they have very mediocre fragrances now, too) and sold out for what was probably a 10000% percent profit. Good for them, though it pains me to see, that a fine product such as AdP is now another “preciousss” in the slimy grasping hands of Bernard Gollum Arnault of LVMH, the Woolworth’s of the rich and famous. LVMH squares the circle by mass marketing exclusivity, by making the rare universally available, by marketing tinsel (such as Vuitton luggage) as “haut gamme” to anyone who is willing to fork out surplus cash for a label that signifies old world prestige (for readers of Germany, here are Luca Turin’s thought on this: http://snipurl.com/1ci7o.) A sure sign of the success of LVMH marketing machine is the wild popularity of AdP products on ebay, where it is always the subject of bidding wars, while at the same time so ubiquitously present that I must wonder how many of these bottles are Eastern European fakes. Either that, or many people who buy this as a form of prepackaged good taste find out they don’t really like it (perhaps because they actually lack good taste). So the question is, I suppose, can you enjoy a great cologne knowing that thousands who wear it do so, not because they appreciate it, but because it is a life-style ‘choice’ dictated by fashion rags like GQ? Well, I do. AdP Colonia is a nice departure from classic French (and the one German) colognes that emphasize hesperides and herbs, only rounded off with a touch of rose, musk or tonka. Here, the rose is far stronger, really defining the fragrance (with some help from the subtle but persistent ylang ylang) after the initial, incredibly refreshing lemon- blast, itself cleverly prolonged by the use of verbena. The woody base is more fortified as well, giving this excellent longevity, especially for a cologne. This hovers close to your skin all day, providing the finishing touch of sophistication that makes you feel so genteel. Acqua di Parma is a marvellous, refined, unique product, not because, but inspite of the hype created around it by its execrable owners. It bears its fate with the poise and imperturbability of a true gentleman.

For some odd reason, this reminds me of Brut' cologne.

The citrus classic's classic every man should own a bottle of this once in their lifetime.

I knew eau de cologne was a subtle, stylish and puristically timeless fragrance, but I never knew the real potential until i discvovered Acqua di Parma. This is one of the most high-end interpretations of this classic formula and, if not the most exclusive, than at least one of the most exclusive ones still available today. This scent is one of the most discreet and luxurious around, reminding of the perfect aristocrat- the innate winner and natural-born leader not due to agressiveness, finacial or physical super-powers, but due to sheer class, flawless manners, taste and unquestionable elegance. Similarly, this scent definately makes a bold and iconical statement, yet without any effort: it's the most natural thing to be noticed and loved instantly for its non plus ultra standards and its discretion. And tough I knew their potential, I never could have dreamt that ingrediens like lemon, vervain,Neroli and Bulgarian rose can be that exquisite.
All in all, this scent, up to its
nostalgic, conservative and luxurious packaging reminding of Italy while it was still a monarchy- up the crest depicted on the bottle- make it an undisputed symbol of aristocratic, dandystic, old-scholl art of living.

Tried this one a few days ago. And it definitely had a certain something that I didnt notice before when I had tried it. It might be the strong rose note. Scents with rose or tobacco are the ones that works best for me. A mixture of those two notes would be heaven. Anyway I might revisit this one sometime in the future. For now it is thumbs up.

A true classic summer scent for a man,should be worn only during the day.

not bad but there are so many other perfumes! Again a great marketing campaign, perfect advertising and the whole machinerie starts to work- this is a simple clean and fresh citrus water-totally overrated-if you look for an elegant and classy scent try pour monsieur by chanel-this is definitely better...but if you need to wear a perfume that has been a favourite of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman (they say so...)and you need to say stuff like that-then buy it!But if you are self-confident and you are a mature man sure of himself have a look at something special, intelligent and rich-there are so many outstanding and distinguished perfumes!AdP is a nice water of lemon but nothing more-nice bottle and package.I think it is better for a woman!Oh, they did even candles with the flavour...try this first before you waste the money for the edt....

An excellent bright, classy, and classic summer citrus fragrance that just makes one feel great. It has that "unique" quality of communicating that it is exclusive and expensive without being overbearing or particularly "showy" in any way. Until I found Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo this was my favorite Italian fragrance. Still wear it, particularly when I travel since it comes in a beautiful small travel falcon. Even the glassware and stoppers/caps are beautifully made. Something evey man who is interested in fragrances should try and probably own, at least once. I could see how this could be a guy's signature fragrance. Absolutely.

The best.

I wore AdP exclusively for years - it goes anywhere, it's good in the day and in the night, and it's very fresh and classy. I still really love the fragrance, but I can't wear it anymore.

I developed a very strange reaction that if I had Acqua di Parma on, I "smell-ucinated" smoke. Strange, I know, but when I stopped wearing it, the phantom smell went away.

I still keep a bottle around though...

A classic, traditional eau de cologne. Quite a lot of sillage, lasts even through a shower. More suitable for men than for women, I think.

Fantasitic! If you like classic scents this is a must. Very sweet natural lemons which drop off into a warm rose accord cut with a little dryness and freshness from the lavender and rosemary. It drys down to a fabulous mellow smell at which point I find it very difficult to resist starting again. You can apply lot of this and it doesn't overwhelm. An essential.

No doubt quality and class but not masculine enough to be a shared scent. I think it's a clean scent except for the heavy rose. I wish the rest of the notes lasted a bit longer instead of the cloying rose. I'd rather use Chanel PH or Armani EPH.

Class. Class. Class. A refined and clean citrus that lasts more than 6 hours if used on clean skin...well, not the citrus part of it, but a dusty rose that feels dipped in a crate of lemons. Lovely.

Acqua di Parma reminds me of a holiday at the sea. I feel like lying on an airbed, skin all pampered with a sun blocker, maybe eating a lemon ice. But I hate the smell of air beds, try to avoid sun blockers and lemon ice gives me heartburns. No, it's definitely not my all time favourite.

The best eaux de cologne. This is a classic, and as must own. The longevity is a tiny bit lacking, but its still a must own.

Perfect, beautiful, pure class in an iconically delightful bottle. This fragrance is so well calibrated and high quality that it can be worn anywhere, any time of year and in any quantity; it's impossible to overapply and is worth frequent spraying just for the spritz of spritely, very slightly sugared lemon at the top. Post-application, it traverses into a very mellow and smooth stage that might be just a touch too sweet - the amber, the jasmine, the rose - if it weren't for that cleansing brush of rosemary and verbena that keeps the whole thing so rereshing without being fleeting like so many citrus scents can be. Just thinking about Acqua di Parma makes me want to book a trip to Capri and pretend I'm living the life of a foreign film star, if only for a short while.

I have just purchased my first bottle of ADP Colonia and think it is an overhyped cologne, mine has now gone in the rubbish bin.

WOnderful scent! Soft and sophisticated! Lasts well with a decent application too!

I recall how once the Baron de Charlus, inspired by numerous glasses of wine, extolled to me in an inebriated ramble the several virtues of Acqua di Parma. 'Hmm, ha, yes,well, mon cher Nitram,' he began, 'flintlocks, filigree and fine old lace...that ancient air...hmm...an old chateau in the morning mist...ha...lemon and faded rose...exquisite!...my lady's wardrobe?...hum, perhaps...the old, the true aristocracy!...Monsieur le Duc....swathed in supreme citrus...carriages on cobbled streets...Acqua di Parma!...a gift for His Majesty!...all gone...faded glories...lost swan of youth...all...quite...gone...' At which point, having had one glass too many, the Baron surrendered to sleep.

The first time I tried this scent, I did not like it. I called it "lemon floor wax." I tried it again. The lemon scent melded into a field of rich roses. Every time I wear this scent, I'm smelling my arms and putting my nose under my shirt collar for a smell.
Definitely not a formal scent, and not for those who only like masculine scents. This is for the days where you have the day off, or just want to lounge around, or need a pick-me-up. It doesn't last very long, but is quite enjoyable.

Very smoot citruses develop with gentle flowery-woody accord. Soooooo cozy. It has a classic character but sounds very up-to-date. Definitely if you like it you can't go wrong with it. Infinitely casual. Highly recommended.

I really didn't expect much of this, thinking it was all hype. Not so. This is an unusually well crafted citrus, sharp at first mellowing to a wonderfully balanced base. It lasts well into the early evening. That's a plus because it is equally at home during the day or night . Just freshen up and head out the door. I will invest in some.

A classical beautifully balanced citrus fragrance. The rose note really added to the distinction of the scent and it has been a favourite of many for a long,long time. After the lemony top-notes fade the long-lasting scent clings close to the skin and is very well-balanced and harmonious.