Acqua di Colonia (1996)
by Lorenzo Villoresi

I just (this spring) started trying citrus aromatics, so i'm not quite sure yet how to interpret them.

Herbs in place of florals is new to me, and on my skin type these tend to 'sit', like a plane that can't take off.

The strongest note i get is citrus wiht a hint of lavendar. Since i just got back from a lavendar festival i know i love this note, but in a sachet, not on my skin. This is a little too heavy for me.

I'm also not used to a 'weak' base; i.e, one missing patchouli, sandalwood, amber, etc. Soley musk and herbs tneds to wear light on me.

The jury is still out on aromatics; I'm not taking to them the way i did chypres, so this may not be my genre. But overall this is a scent i am glad to have tried, it is not off putting and the notes are well blended. For it's genre I suspect this is up there in quality, so I recommend to those who are interested.

30th June, 2010.

From reading the reviews, I wondered if this LV offering would bring anything unique and special to the world of classic EDCs. It does. Certainly different than the Guerlain offerings (e.g., Imperiale, Eau de Cologne du Coq) or Acqua di Parma Colonia. How? To put it simply, the mix of citrus and herbs is unique here. In LVs version, the herbal notes are much more pronounced relative to the citrus. It is bracing and clean, with a musky drydown. Definitely worthy of consideration when looking for a classic EDC.

17th January, 2010.

Villoresi's rendition of cologne cannot quite surmount the great fragrant edifice from Acqua di Parma, but it's a quality item in its own right. The opening is the predictable blend of citric elements and herbs - but the quality has one nodding knowingly with satisfaction. The bracing citric genesis is brief, but there remains plenty to enjoy in the musk loaded base and herbal remnants. It comes with a hefty price tag in comparison to similar products, and I am not wholly convinced that it is worth the extra expense.

22nd December, 2009.

Colonia is a traditional cologne of the highest order available today though it is long gone in the USA. The opening is bitter citrus with a tinge of something minty that subsides quickly. There is a strong neroli presence that shies away from become to rosy--just enough to make itself known. Purportedly all natural as well. This is a good choice if you can find it! For an EdC this does have some lasting power due to some type of musk possibly ambrette seed or other plant musk that perpetuates the scent long after the citrus head has vanished.

3rd December, 2009. (Last Edited: 4th December, 2009.)

It starts out all citrus, mainly lemon peel and orange, then some spices develop and mingle in the background. It is a very fresh, bathroom sort of scent. It is supposed to be based entirely of essential oils, so the quality should be much better than the huge range of citrus scents that line most department store shelves. I liked it but didn't love it.

15th October, 2009.

Lorenzo Villoresi pays homage to Eau de Cologne, a fragrance that changed perfume history, by offering his own all-natural rendition of this classic genre made famous and christened by Johann Maria Farina of Cologne in Germany.
It is the best of its kind out there and thus by no means redundant if you enjoy this type of light hesperidic scent. The néroli is indeed wonderful and Villoresi adds his signature resinous aspect in the form of elemi, which also seems to enhance longevity. As one may expect of the creator of Spezie and Uomo, Villoresi's Acqua di Colonia is strongly herbal as well, with noticeable rosemary and clove notes and a musky base which must consist of ambrette seeds. It is sufficiently different from, say Acqua di Parma Colonia with its citrus-floral character, to justify owning both. Highly recommended and by no means discontinued. It is featured on the Villoresi website and available at perfumeries in Europe carrying the line.

27th August, 2009.