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Colonia, Assoluta or Intensa?

post #1 of 47
Thread Starter 
Im in the blind-buying mood right now, and i want an Acqua di Parma as i dont have one yet, if i dont like it i can easily sell it. which one of these do you recommend?
post #2 of 47
Colonia & Assoluta.
post #3 of 47
I have only tried Intensa. It's OK if you want a citrus/leather mix.
post #4 of 47
The straight up Colonia.
post #5 of 47
I would personally choose Assoluta. It and Colonia are sparkling citrus frags,though Assoluta will last longer on the skin. Intensa has an almost negligible citrus, and a predominant synthetic, dry wood accord. I bought Intensa blind, and it wasn't one of my better decisions. To each his own though; I realize Intensa has many fans.
post #6 of 47
I like Intensa, although none of the acqua di parmas have any kind of staying power on me.
post #7 of 47
Assoluta has the best sillage and staying power, and is the most modern scent among the three. I've owned all three and it's the only one I still own. My wife loves it on me. She smelled the shirt I wore and just raved...
post #8 of 47
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckW View Post

Assoluta has the best sillage and staying power, and is the most modern scent among the three. I've owned all three and it's the only one I still own. My wife loves it on me. She smelled the shirt I wore and just raved...

sounds great!
post #9 of 47
Assoluta without question. Versatile, long-lasting and very very pleasant.
post #10 of 47
Colonia. It has some history, the other two don't.
post #11 of 47
My preference is Colonia > Intensa > Assoluta.

Colonia is the most short-lived on me, and also the most "classic"-smelling of the three. They're all good, I must add.
post #12 of 47
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deviant View Post

Assoluta without question. Versatile, long-lasting and very very pleasant.

Your top 6 looks great, a little off topic, but what is Bois Marocain like?
post #13 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckW View Post

Assoluta has the best sillage and staying power, and is the most modern scent among the three.

IMO Intensa has these qualities, not Assoluta.
post #14 of 47
Intensa.
post #15 of 47
Assoluta for me.....I have both and Love them.....I feel that Assoluta is the better choice for me!!!
Gary
post #16 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by petruccijc View Post

IMO Intensa has these qualities, not Assoluta.

C'mon, Joe, you know I'm right!
post #17 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sorcery of Scent View Post

Intensa.

Ditto
post #18 of 47
I prefer Assoluta, but I'm not too keen on any of them. Be sure to check out their latest, Colonia Essenza...
post #19 of 47
Intensa for a more sophisticated dry down. Colonia for an elegant cologne.
post #20 of 47
I haven't smelled the Absoluta, but every time I wear the Intensa I get compliments. Then again I do douse myself.
post #21 of 47
I'm a big fan of both Colonia and Colonia Assoluta. Both recommended. I'll be looking for a bottle of one or the other soon.
Haven't tried Intensa or Essenza.
post #22 of 47
Just get Colonia - if you like it you can explore the three variations but, while probably well intentioned, IMO they don't come close.
post #23 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. reasonable View Post

Just get Colonia - if you like it you can explore the three variations but, while probably well intentioned, IMO they don't come close.

Yup, I sure agree with that.

But woe is I, I'm always in the minority with my appreciation and experience of Colonia. For me it lasts and lasts and lasts. A full day plus from an "eau de cologne." Very odd that many others don't experience that, although I know many BNers do. I'm convinced Colonia, the original, the un-messed with, the tried and true, the one from 1916, the one they can't replace, the one they can't improve on, the one that's hands down among the best if not the best of citruses, is the one that you should buy, Jlouismi.

Check the others out down the road. Life is big enough to experience all three. Get Colonia and ask for samples of the other two "because I'm considering a next purchase." Because that's what you'll be doing.
Very best!
post #24 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by petruccijc View Post

IMO Intensa has these qualities, not Assoluta.

/\\ +1
post #25 of 47
I love Assoluta, didn't like Intensa and Colonias history could never live up with the great Assoluta.
post #26 of 47
I tested all three the same day and chose Assoluta. I have really enjoyed it over the last 2 years. I now find myself wanting to go back for Colonia, now i am ready to live with its relatively less longevity. Liberal applications under shirts and under-shirts solves this issue for me. Longevity apart, Colonia is the more interesting frag.
post #27 of 47
I love Assoluta, which is a modern take on the original Colonia. Great lasting power and as gentlemanish as the original version. Intensa is a bit heavy on lemon and the leather base is quite pleasant but not really versatile...
post #28 of 47
Assoluta. Not only do I receive great compliments from both guys and girls, I think it's one of the best smelling frags of all time. My opinion of course.
post #29 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by DustB View Post


But woe is I, I'm always in the minority with my appreciation and experience of Colonia. For me it lasts and lasts and lasts. A full day plus from an "eau de cologne." Very odd that many others don't experience that, although I know many BNers do. I'm convinced Colonia, the original, the un-messed with, the tried and true, the one from 1916, the one they can't replace, the one they can't improve on, the one that's hands down among the best if not the best of citruses, is the one that you should buy, Jlouismi.

I agree with you DustB. And your experience matches mine!
post #30 of 47
Thread Starter 
Thanks to all of you for your input, from what i can see, here are the votes according to what people have recommended..

Colonia - 7 Votes
Assoluta - 11 Votes
Intensa - 7 Votes

You guys dont make this easy do ya!!
post #31 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by DustB View Post

The straight up Colonia.

No question.
Assoluta imo has way too much bitter "brut" notes
And intensa is some anemic woody-wannabe
OG >>>>>>
post #32 of 47
Colonia, the original and the best!
post #33 of 47
Colonia - without a doubt

I own Assoluta, too, but NEVER use it - smells synthetic to me.

Intensa is good.
post #34 of 47
If it's your first purchase, get Colonia. I wear both Colonia and Intensa. Tried Essenza last weekend; seems to me very similar to Colonia. The new black bottle is very cool, however.
post #35 of 47
I did not like the woodiness and leather of Intensa, seemed to go against the grain of the 'Colonia' essence for me. As for Essenza it just did not distinguish itself sufficiently to warrant a purchase - although I agree about the bottle; very classy.
post #36 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by neal View Post

I did not like the woodiness and leather of Intensa, seemed to go against the grain of the 'Colonia' essence for me. As for Essenza it just did not distinguish itself sufficiently to warrant a purchase - although I agree about the bottle; very classy.

Essenza is an odd one isn't it? You want to like it . . .

The opening is pure Colonia - tried 'em side by side - twins. Then it sort of veers of into 'inoffensive vaguely woody something' territory . . . it just seems a bit characterless. There's nothing actually wrong with it but I just can't help wondering . . . why?
post #37 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlouismi View Post

Thanks to all of you for your input, from what i can see, here are the votes according to what people have recommended..

Colonia - 7 Votes
Assoluta - 11 Votes
Intensa - 7 Votes

You guys dont make this easy do ya!!

There was a poll on this a year or two ago (find it via the search function) and it was pretty evenly split for all three. Rather remarkable, in my opinion.
post #38 of 47
Colonia is a wonderful rosy eau de cologne and one of the best available. It may be too rosy for some but it is what I imagine the 19th Century aristocracy might have worn. I would recommend it along with Eau du Coq and Villoresi as the best extant eau de cologne unless has the luck to acquire vintage Farina like I did by chance on German eBay!
post #39 of 47
Intensa is beautiful. Assoluta smells like soap.
post #40 of 47
My order of preference is the order they are in the thread title.
post #41 of 47
essenza
post #42 of 47
Assoluta. Colonia is a bit dull, and Intensa and Essenza not to my taste. I get a synthetic vibe from Intensa and Essenza is less citrus and more floral (not in a good way).
post #43 of 47
I have Colonia which, for me, is a great fragrance in the summer. I love it. I have wanted to buy another Parma but testing here is not possible. I've tried reading reviews here but people are really divided on the different scents. I'll just have to wait until I've got time while travelling soon to try them and decide.
post #44 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by neo_angel View Post

essenza

I like this very much too, and would probably place it 2nd out of the 4. However, I do have longevity issues with it.
post #45 of 47
I know blind buying is bad and all, but I blind bought Assoluta and it turned into one of my top 3 favourite fragrances. I give Assoluta a slight lead over Colonia, but they're really both fantastic fragrances.
post #46 of 47
Colonia Assoluta is a high-quality and elegant Eau de Cologne with good projection, a 2-3 hour, scent cloud before passing to a skin scent, as well as good longevity, at least 7 hours, and will shine in spring, summer, and fall.
post #47 of 47
Colonia>Assoluta..........................>Intensa
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