Men
Acqua di Gio Essenza
Acordes principales
Descripción
Acqua di Gio Essenza by Giorgio Armani is a woody aquatic fragrance for men. Launched in 2012, the nose behind this composition is Alberto Morillas. The top notes reveal a marine freshness with bergamot, grapefruit, and calone; the heart unfolds with basil, floral notes, jasmine, and sage; while the base anchors the structure with pepper, cedar, vetiver, musk, ambergris, heliotrope, amber, and patchouli.
Resumen rápido
Cuándo llevarla (votos)
Notas clave
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Salida
aquatic notes
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Corazón
basil
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Base
pepper
Comunidad
2,847 votos
- Positivo 88%
- Negativo 10%
- Neutral 1.8%
Pirámide olfativa
Estructura completa de la fragancia: de la salida al fondo.
Comunidad
Qué dicen los usuarios sobre propiedad, preferencia y mejor momento de uso.
Propiedad
¿La tienen, la tuvieron o la quieren?
Preferencia
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Uso recomendado
Estación y momento del día con más votos.
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Características
Resumen de votos sobre longevidad, estela, género y percepción de precio.
Longevidad
Escasa
Débil
Moderada
Duradera
Muy duradera
Estela
Suave
Moderada
Pesada
Enorme
Género
Femenino
Unisex femenino
Unisex
Unisex masculino
Masculino
Precio
Extremadamente costoso
Ligeramente costoso
Precio moderado
Buen precio
Excelente precio
Reseñas
Experiencias reales de la comunidad sobre uso diario, rendimiento y estela.
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40 reseñas
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Thanks to a Bofifa sample, I was able to try Essenza. I think Aqua di Gio and my ph don’t mix; I’ll have to try the original to clear up my doubts. On my skin, it presents as fresh and fruity, but mostly synthetic with that unpleasant note I already sensed in Profumo. Unfortunately, I don’t like it; maybe I’m just a black sheep. The longevity seems good, but it just doesn’t work for me. What a pity.
I got it in a 125ml edition at a good price and gifted it to my dad. It’s the best. Very fresh, super aquatic but not volatile; instead, it’s dense, masculine, woody, and mature. He’d walk by and leave a trail. Excellent fixation and performance. Of course, he loved it. A real gem.
Essenza harks back to that distant era when a flanker wasn’t rushed out just to cash in on an eager market. Before the trend of releasing unnecessary colognes, the younger brother of a hit was crafted with the same care as the flagship. The rule was: if it resembled the father but had its own life, it was a success. If it worked well, it could start an epic saga like Lord of the Rings, not a tragic one like The Hobbit, just to make a few bucks. Acqua di Gio Essenza is a character from the first trilogy that everyone cares about. It’s the difference between something well-made and a soulless entity. Essenza is one of the first; it looks to its father but ventures in other directions that give it its own life. Plus, it’s a great cologne. I’ve always liked Aqua di Gio, but I never used it; it was the fragrance of several guys in my group, and out of respect, I wouldn’t try it. Wearing the perfume of someone you see often seems rude to me. This Essenza is perfect: it takes the sporty, woody, and citrusy nuances of the original without overcomplicating things, adding aromatic notes to give it its own identity. It’s a carbonated-bodied Acqua di Gio with a cool sparkling grapefruit and an abstract idea of clean crystal to play with the aldehydic vibe. That air reminds me of Miyake’s Aqua Marine. It’s no wonder it’s discontinued; it was a bold move in the 2010s. All the packaging is lost in the other flankers. Perfect perfume for spring: citrusy, woody, aromatic, and smelling like something well-made. I rarely buy bottles because I know I’ll miss them. That boiled egg scent is typical of basil and grapefruit blends with aromatic notes; it’s in many 90s aromatics. I don’t personally like that tone, but here I love it because it’s perfectly blended with calone and aquatic notes.
For summer, Essenza has no competition; only Dior Homme Sport 2008 gives it a run for its money.
I was lucky to find a 180ml bottle last week, what a surprise. It’s like the mother lode of the original Aqua di Gio that I fell in love with when I first smelled it; a pure joy to remember that scent with very good longevity. If you have it, don’t hesitate; it’s pure summer and a true Armani delight.
I just tried it, and it’s so overrated. I found a perfumer in Argentina with two large bottles for $50. When I smelled it, I thought, ‘this is identical to something I’ve already tried.’ Yes, it’s the same as a local budget fragrance called ‘Aqua Di Colbert.’ I forced myself to like it, but every time I smell it, I’m reminded of that other one, and honestly, it’s not worth it.
A summer bomb, an amazing fragrance.
Miraculously, I managed to find two 40ml bottles from the 2012 batch. The fragrance is incredible! I’m not sure if it’s better than the classic because I’m equally fascinated by both, but after trying Profumo, it seems to me that Essenza is more imposing.
What a shame they discontinued it; it was a masterpiece. I still have half of a 180ml bottle, and I only keep it to show off to my Profumo.
Essenza is far superior to both Profumo and the original. It smells more solid, clearly aquatic, and elegant. It makes me feel truly close to the sea. At first, it smells like boiled egg for about five minutes, but then it transforms completely. Story time: one winter day, I went to a restaurant, and a stranger complimented my scent the moment I approached. This fragrance earns compliments from the very first use. I don’t get why Armani discontinued it; it outperforms the original in both longevity and quality. They say it’s for spring and summer, but it holds its own in winter; in heat, it will be spectacular. Two sprays last a remarkable three hours; if you want more, it’s a beast. The projection is moderate, but with a breeze, it shines double. It works for any occasion, though indoors it might not stand out as much as outdoors. My rating: 9/10.
Undoubtedly the best in the Aqua di Gio line. The only downside is that it’s discontinued. Luckily, I still have a 75ml bottle, about 90% full, from batch 38J301 dated 2012. Although Profumo is also very good, I stick with this one. Whoever can manage to get a small bottle should do it, but it will cost a lot of money 😫😫.
Summer in a bottle. I’ve seen a lot of talk about this perfume, so I decided to share my opinion. It’s a fresh and credible repetition of the now-legendary original Acqua di Giò. Essenza smells clean, green, mossy, and marine, loaded with a variety of sage notes combined with a beautiful jasmine. It has part of the original’s DNA, but it stands out on its own as a bright fragrance ideal for casual spring and summer outings. Essenza lasts quite well; I see why there’s all the hype; it lasts at least 3 or more hours longer than its father, the classic (at least on my skin). To my nose, this is Acqua di Giò with more green notes like basil and sage, plus salty ocean/marine water like in the original (probably how my nose detects Calone). It keeps the beautiful bergamot of the original Acqua di Gio, but it lacks the strong lime note found in the original. Some say it’s better than Acqua di Giò, but I think it’s an improvement rather than an update. Projection is moderate, while longevity is very good. Overall, this is one of the best fragrances I’ve ever smelled (along with the original Acqua di Gio, which is my preference due to the stronger lime note; the original also works very well for me).
Fortunately, I found a perfume on sale. It was a great investment for this Acqua, and it has a diverse aroma compared to the traditional version. They say it’s the scent most similar to the first version of the current Gio. However, I prefer the current classic version. This one lacks the fresh punch of the original; it’s citrusy but moderate, it needs more impact, and it’s probably due to the reformulation. If you can, buy it. It’s worth it for the collection.
A few days ago I bought the Profumo version and didn’t like it. Today I used Essenza, and the opening is identical to Profumo but without that incense smell a few minutes in, which is brutal… I couldn’t handle that flanker, so I returned it. Always prefer this version; it hits the right spot without the heaviness of the incense. It’s the best!
Without a doubt, the best Aqua di Gio. It’s soft, but the dry-down is excellent; that combination of ambergris, vetiver, musk, and cedar gives it a very pleasant, full-bodied base that interacts beautifully with the aquatic notes. It’s fresh and balanced like the traditional Aqua di Gio, but with better body and a more enjoyable final dry-down. It lasts about 6 hours on the skin, projecting a subtle aura of excellence that the other flankers simply don’t have.
Essenza, the most famous ADG flanker; my bottle is from 2017, so it’s not quite vintage yet. I think the comparison between Profondo and this isn’t as close as it is with Profumo; Profumo came to replace Essenza since they share many similarities. Essenza has a very fresh, green, floral, and rich opening, but after an hour, it resembles that woody, ambered incense of Profumo quite a bit. Is it worth the hype? No. I bet if it still existed today, it would just be another ADG flanker, given its huge similarity between ADG pour homme and Profumo. Should you pay the exorbitant prices people ask for? No, better to buy something niche. In conclusion, if you have it, use it and don’t sell it; if you don’t, go for Profumo or a niche scent. Its longevity is average, around 5 hours, the trail is moderate, the scent is rich but not the best I’ve ever smelled, and the hype is largely driven by famous YouTubers. If you don’t have it, don’t be frustrated; there are many better options on the market. 8/10.
I bought this in 2015 for one of my birthdays; I was planning to get the original Aqua di Gio, but for some reason, I decided on this flanker instead. It’s a fresh, elegant, masculine, and very pleasant scent. One of my favorite fragrances. It’s excellent for walking around the city, going to the store, or spending the day at a sports club, though it’s a bit weak for events and parties.
Very good! 👌👌. I currently own one, and it’s still available in Cuba at its original price 🥳🥳.
Let me start by saying this is the best in the saga, closely followed by its daughter Profumo, but Essenza is even more versatile. I’m baffled by the disappearance of this gem and admit that its discontinuation has turned it into a legend. But honestly, it smells delicious, projects noticeably, and lasts over eight hours on the skin with a generous application. In many ways, I’d call it the perfect fragrance for mild seasons; its freshness and citrus character are masterfully balanced with floral notes and woody bases. If you can find it at a reasonable price, grab it and use it with restraint: it’s a tribute to master perfumer Morillas that you’ll want to keep for the rest of your life.
Hello! First time writing a review. I walked into a perfume shop looking for ADG Profumo or Profondo and stumbled upon an Essenza tester on a shelf. The clerk said it had no box, but the bottle was full, so they sold it to me for under $30. It’s a gem: a 75ml bottle from June 2012 with incredible longevity and sillage. It starts strong, sour, and citrusy, then introduces herbs that make it potent. As it dries down, it rounds out and smells almost identical to Profumo. Greetings from Argentina!
Discontinuation makes these fragrances acquire an inflated value. It’s the ADG Profumo without incense, not much more than that.
This version (Essenza) is magnificent. Projection and longevity, wow, over 7 hours. I wake up with this on, and if you let it soak into the sheets where you spend the night (¬‿¬). I’m privileged to have bought it in 2016 and still be enjoying it today.
A masterpiece by master perfumer Morillas. It’s an ADG Profumo without incense, but it goes further, making it more versatile and fresh. The opening is exquisite and addictive, leading to a spectacular woody and marine drydown. Some get nauseous from the sweetness of the Profumo, but here there are no excuses: it works in open or closed spaces, in any season. A true all-rounder. However, the Profumo is more elegant; both have their strengths. I don’t include Profondo because I feel it’s an improved, updated version of Pour Homme, slightly distant from these two. Unfortunately, Essenza is discontinued, and the few units sold might be damaged by time or storage. I feel that if they bring it back, it won’t be the same—a reformulation that would disappoint lovers, just like what’s happening with the Profumo in batches from 2021 onwards.
It’s not just a remastered classic; it’s the best version of Acqua di Gio. The structure is super balanced and consistent. Typical citrus opening: in the classic, you notice more lime, whereas here there’s less acidity and a tiny hint of sweetness (maybe more bergamot), with marine notes appearing right from the start. In the heart, there’s less basil and instead a minty note not listed on the label (they get confused). Floral notes are evident. Then come woody and smoky nuances, probably from vetiver and cedar, which soften the citrus. Clearly a masculine fragrance. Excellent performance: over 7 hours of longevity and strong sillage. A recommended classic.
Hey friend. I can’t guarantee with certainty which one sold more, but both are in the best-sellers category. According to PerfumeMan Andrés, on his list of the top ten best-sellers of all time, Dior Sauvage takes the number one spot and ADG number three. Obviously, ADG has been on the market much longer and was a bomb when it launched. I think those numbers are around there. Best regards.
Product of ‘much noise and few nuts’. It’s ADG Pour Homme with better longevity and projection. The drydown is a bit heavier and creamier, likely due to the musk, but it doesn’t add much more than the EDT in terms of scent. If the EDT is your quintessential choice, buy it. It’s not that the EDT lasted much longer in the past; we’re just victims of expectations and current hype. I suggest looking at other flankers like Profondo or the EDP instead.
Not much to add: it’s the corrected and enhanced formula of the original, like an Intense version but better in every way. It’s the luxury flanker of the line. It’s been out for years and never gets old, still marking territory as one of the most accepted. It’s discontinued and hard to find, but worth it at a fair price. Super versatile, pleasant, and compliment-worthy. A timeless classic that never goes out of style, a must-have in any wardrobe. Scent 8.5, projection medium-good (2 hours), longevity 8 hours. Recommended.
The most elegant in the line, powerful yet fresh at the same time. It’s a bomb. The best for hot weather I’ve ever had. Too many compliments with this gem. Lucky I bought extra when they discontinued it.
When a masterpiece gets better, the merit is enormous. That’s what happened with Dior Homme Parfum, and this with Acqua di Gio Essenza. It outperforms many niche fragrances. A powerful citrus and aquatic opening with a mentholated balsamic touch that feels like a breath of fresh air. Then herbs and white flowers add greenery, finishing with a sweet dry-down that smooths everything out, reminiscent of Creed’s Ambergris. Very masculine thanks to that vetiver. For me, one of the top ten in history and the only one that can truly rival Creed’s Aventus. Great sillage and longevity… and it’s discontinued. Is it worth it for flankers like Parfum or Profumo? A resounding no.
The crown jewel of Armani. The original boosted to the max, but why did they discontinue it? They’re crazy. None of the weirdly named flankers come close to this. I’m dying for it to return and for them to discontinue Absolú and Profondo, which don’t even last an hour.
Another review of mine on the Acqua di Gio saga, and this time it was the Essenza’s turn. Honestly, as an intro, I must say the fragrance is spectacular and very full of life. To the point: it opens with beautiful aquatic notes accompanied by citrus, making it youthful, fresh, and vital, and not as sharp as the original –the one I used in the nineties–, projecting for an hour. That projection is very strong, it floods, and then decays rapidly over time; its longevity is between four and six hours. In the heart notes I only perceive basil, and in the dry down only vetiver and patchouli. It’s a bomb of compliments and its use can be both formal and informal –in my opinion, informal is more beneficial–. Its daytime use and the seasons where it shines are spring and summer –as a resident of the southern hemisphere, I’m using it right now and its performance is optimal–. The relationship with the mother fragrance is undeniable: it keeps its DNA and subsequently develops its own path –I’ve only used two flankers and can attest to that–. Unfortunately, in my country it’s no longer available, and those in stock are asking exorbitant prices; luckily I have two of them now. In summary, it’s a fresh, youthful, and vital fragrance that recalls the DNA of its predecessor, suitable for both formal and informal daytime use, making the most of it in spring and summer where you’ll receive compliments. Cheers.
It’s a great perfume and normally people who own it will tell you it’s a marvel, but I’m not one of those. Early today I passed by a perfumerie and tried the Parfum. Right now I’m spraying the Profumo on one wrist and the Essenza on the other. While each has its particularities, they all share the same DNA; this is one of the three. In the end, I think they’re all good, last the same amount of time, and smell quite similar at some point, because Acqua di Gio is Acqua di Gio and hot water has already been invented. Don’t pay crazy prices for the discontinued Essenza or Profumo. Cheers.
I remember this version was heavily criticized 10 years ago –even to the point of being discontinued– but for some reason it’s become cult status lately. Still, I must admit that Essenza is a fairly interesting version, especially because it managed to keep the basic part of the original Acqua di Gio (citrus and marine), but exponentially increased its presence and longevity. The spicy and mineral notes are quite good, even giving it a more serious character that the original didn’t have. Personally, I still prefer the traditional version more, but without a doubt Essenza achieved its goal: extracting the essence of the original and giving it that twist many were asking for.
Turned into the queen of discontinued and hyped perfumes at nearly $400 for a 100ml bottle. The reasons are simple: 1) the current Armani Acqua di Gio EDT performance is very poor, with many flankers and a reputation for being weak; 2) a nostalgic hype created by perfumer snobbery. All of this amplified by ego-driven, long-tongued people eager to get rich quick, who jumped into the YouTuber review scene and put it in the clouds. I won’t deny it smelled great and lasted longer than the current version, but don’t flip out, folks. As someone commented, the AdG Essenza from 2012-13-14 passed with more sorrow than glory as just another flanker in an already saturated saga. That’s why they discontinued it, besides to release other trivial, repetitive slot-machine flankers. Just like with other fragrances, it was discontinued to start the nostalgic hype: ‘AdG Essenza was the best Acqua di Gio’, ‘it had an amazing aroma that kept the punch of the 1996 original’, ‘when master Alberto Morillas created it, he gave us life’. Its fans claim it lasted longer than Megamare, Kenzo Homme Intense, and the ‘Tell Me’ series combined. There’s a lot of people praising it as if it were the aroma of the resurrected Jesus Christ, and I doubt they smelled it back in the day or tested it recently. If you like the AdG EDT of old, forget this Essenza and I recommend the EDP or the Parfum, very good, especially the Parfum which has part of the discontinued Profumo incense. And Profondo with a watery touch is also cool, especially in summer. In 2024 Armani is planning to release another AdG. Let’s see what they present.
It’s a stronger opening than the EDT, the Profumo, the Parfum, etc., only to fall into the same misery of performance as the rest of the line after a few hours. It’s greener, nothing surprising. It’s not worth paying more for this.
I think there’s way too much discord about what it was for each person. If you owned it, you have your opinion, but some people are speaking from ignorance. Using the original, it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t have liked this. It was more elegant, with an amber base, but still keeping the basil, pepper, and ambergris that gave it its twist. It lasted and projected more than the classic, which still worked great for me when the Essenza came out. The bottle was also more sophisticated with that magnetic cap. I used it a lot, not as a signature scent, but for special occasions or just occasionally. I even had two bottles, and today I have less than a quarter of the last one left (I’m not sure if it smells the same as when I first opened it). It’s a shame I found out about its discontinuation so late, but I enjoyed it while I could. I used it once this year and always got compliments; a friend asked, ‘Is that ADG, right?’. Almost. If you want to smell like ADG, buy the original straight up. You can talk about whatever flanker you want, but the original formula, even if it doesn’t last long for some, is unique and remains the one that smells the best.
I had doubts about the price, but I just couldn’t pass it up. It reminds me of when my dad used to wear it; the olfactory memory is powerful and that was enough to make me buy it. I treasure it not for the money, but for the memories it evokes.
I bought everything they said it was, thinking it would be the same as the original with a slight tweak, but it’s not very serious or elegant. I don’t see it for young people or for very formal, elegant events.
I bought it by mistake years ago and absolutely loved it; the performance was brutal, beastly, etc. It’s a shame I don’t know how it smells or how long it lasts now, because the price makes no sense. For that money, I could take three fragrances and have change to spare; at this price point, it seems crazy and it’s not the eighth wonder of the world.
I agree with everyone else, but mostly because it’s an insane price. Honestly, it smells glorious: it’s the most potent original without reaching the levels of Parfum or the classic Profumo. Even though the scent is the same, that extra brightness in every note makes it incredible. I just wish there were a concentration like this available from Armani today.