Flamboyant Italian perfume house Acqua di Parma has been creating fresh, attention-grabbing male fragrances since 1916. The best Acqua di Parma fragrances for men provide an explosion of confidence-boosting citrus, herbs, and spices with exotic woods and musk.
Initially starting life as a perfumer for the discerning gentleman, Acqua di Parma caught the imagination of Hollywood stars such as Cary Grant and Ava Gardner. The brand has not stood still and continues to push fragrance boundaries without losing touch of their Italian heritage.
With over 70 expertly crafted scent to their name ranging from the timeless Colonia to the striking Mandorolo di Sicilia, there is an Acqua di Parma scent for every man. So sit back and enjoy a tour of the best fragrances this iconic Italian perfumer has to offer.
- 12 Best Acqua di Parma Fragrances For Men Reviewed
- 1. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne
- 2. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Intensa Eau de Cologne
- 3. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Club Eau de Cologne
- 4. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne
- 5. Acqua Di Parma Vaniglia Eau de Parfum
- 6. Acqua Di Parma Oud Eau de Parfum
- 7. Acqua Di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum
- 8. Acqua Di Parma Sandalo Eau de Parfum
- 9. Acqua Di Parma Mandorolo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette
- 10. Acqua Di Parma Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette
- 11. Acqua Di Parma Chinotto di Liguria Eau de Toilette
- 12. Acqua Di Parma Note di Colonia V Eau de Cologne
- What Is The Best Acqua Di Parma Men’s Fragrance?
- Are Acqua di Parma Fragrances Long Lasting?
- Fragrance Summary
- Conclusion
- Further Reading
12 Best Acqua di Parma Fragrances For Men Reviewed
With bright citrus, herbs and wood that are bursting with energy, the best Acqua Di Parma fragrances for men are both extravagant and classy. Here are 12 for your consideration.
1. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne
Review
Behold the fragrance that started it all for Acqua de Parma. Released in 1916, Colonia Eau de Cologne is a stylish aromatic citrus fragrance with hints of herbs and flowers, bursting at the seams with Italian chic.
Colonia opens with a dazzling array of lemons and bergamot, sweetened with juicy oranges. It is delightfully creamy in its delivery which is why I love it so much. A heart of lavender and soft rose is dusted with rosemary and lemon verbena. Upon dry-down, fresh, grassy vetiver provides a discreet base, with hints of wood and patchouli.
This is a warm-season fragrance that will have you eagerly waiting for spring and summer. Its bright personality is best suited for smart/casual daywear. I can see myself sat outside a cafe, enjoying lunch and soaking up the Italian sunshine.
Predictably, this bright summer fragrance’s longevity is not enormous, but it’s way better than I expected at 4+ hours. Projection and sillage for the first 2 hours are excellent. The 20ml bottle is great to carry with you in a pocket for a top-up.
The presentation is classic Art-Deco in its delivery. The bottle is understated but ever-so classy with its slim waist and broader shoulders. Finished with a black cap.
In my humble opinion, Colonia is the reason that Acqua di Parma is still alive today. More than just a barbershop freshie, this fragrance oozes class with its creamy citrus vibes. Utterly gorgeous.
Top Notes:
Lemon, Sweet Orange, Calabrian Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Bulgarian Rose, Verbena, Rosemary
Base Notes:
Vetiver, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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2. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Intensa Eau de Cologne
Review
How do you create a fragrance that can stand side-by-side with original Colonia? You commission perfumers Alberto Morillas and Francois Demachy.
Colonia Intensa Eau de Cologne is a deeper version of the original Colonia fragrance. Although it shares much of the originals DNA, this flanker adds cardamom, ginger, and leather for a whole new experience.
Colonia Intensa opens with zesty Sicilian lemon and Calabrian bergamot, leading to a spicy cardamom and ginger kick. Creamy notes of the original are more muted.
A heart of sweet neroli and myrtle notes are balanced by bitter artemisia. Base notes of wood and leather add a layer of depth but still allows the prominent citrus and spice to shine.
Although this fragrance remains one for spring/summer, the cardamom and ginger in Colonia Intensa lend themselves better towards late afternoon and evening. This fragrance can also be worn on bright autumn days to add a bit of summer cheer.
Performance of 4+ hours with reasonable sillage and projection for half of that time. The cardamom and ginger mixed with citrus really shine.
Presented in the same classic Art-Deco style bottle as the original, but this time with a brushed metal looking label and matching cap. The fragrance inside emits a discreet yellow glow.
Overall, Colonia Intensa is a moodier and more sensual version of the original Colonia that extends wear into the evening. Alberto Morillas and Francois Demachy have done a commendable job creating a fragrance that does not sit in the shadow of the original.
Top Notes:
Cardamom, Calabrian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Ginger
Mid Notes:
Myrtle, Artemisia, Neroli
Base Notes:
Leather, Cedar Wood, Patchouli, Benzoin, Musk
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
3. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Club Eau de Cologne
Review
Colonia Club Eau de Cologne is an energetic and stylish masculine fragrance that fuses lavender and mint with citrus and masculine florals. Released in 2015, Colonia Club lingers nicely to keep you smelling shower fresh.
The opening of this scent is fresh right from the start. A citrus trio of lemon, mandarin and bergamot is further brightened by minty notes for extra freshness.
A heart of fragrant lavender and green geranium give a real summer feel, with hints of galbanum adding manly bitterness. Upon dry-down, grassy vetiver brings some light woody notes, with light musk and salty ambergris to finish.
This fragrance is best worn during the spring and autumn months, and also cooler summer evenings. I would say its pretty versatile, and can be worn for any occasion and is office-friendly.
Longevity is pretty good for a green/fresh fragrance at 4+ hours, with moderate projection and sillage.
Comes presented in a deep green version of the classic AdP bottle and is finished with a green label and green cap. Very classy indeed, and I love the outer case.
Overall, Colonia Club is a refreshing manly scent that feels luxurious to wear. I especially enjoy the minty/lavender combo and cheeky touches citrus that dance in and out.
Top Notes:
Sicilian Lemon, Petit Grain, Bergamot, Sicilian Mandarin, Mint, Neroli
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Geranium, Galbanol
Base Notes:
Haitian Vetiver, White Musk, Ambergris
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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4. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne
Review
Released in 2010, Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne shares much of the same DNA as the original Colonia but with a boost of floral notes. This fragrance still manages to retain its male composure.
Colonia Essenza opens with the soapy lemony floral note of neroli drenched in zesty grapefruit, bergamot, and sweet orange. Middle notes introduce sweet jasmine, and soft rose sprinkled with rosemary and cloves.
Upon dry-down, vetiver and musk are the base highlights, with support from warm amber and vibrant patchouli.
This is a cheerful spring/summer fragrance that is best suited for daytime wear. Think casual outdoor lunches, shopping trips, city breaks, romantic picnics.
Performance of 5+ hours is easily achievable along with decent sillage and projection for most of that time. The soapy neroli & citrus combo last well considering they are lighter notes.
Colonia Essenza is presented in a jet black version of the classic AdP bottle with matching black cap. Finished with a contrasting white label that oozes discreet refinement.
Overall, Colonia Essenza is an exciting interpretation of the original Colonia fragrance. It still has the same luxury hotel/spa soapy citrus vibe but introduces more summertime florals. It’s still manly so don’t let the flowers put you off.
Top Notes:
Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Neroli, Petitgrain
Mid Notes:
Rosemary, Lily of the Valley, Rose Accord, Jasmine Accord, Cloves
Base Notes:
Vetiver, Patchouli, White Musk, Amber
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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5. Acqua Di Parma Vaniglia Eau de Parfum
Review
Vaniglia Eau de Parfum is a lavish unisex vanilla fragrance with a powdery floral edge that is both warm and inviting. Although this scent leans slightly towards the feminine side, it is a compliment beast that no man should overlook. Released in 2019.
This fragrance opens with crisp mandarin, bergamot, and the sweet almond/vanilla tones of heliotrope. Lush, warm vanilla in the heart is sweetened by floral notes of jasmine and neroli.
Upon dry-down, a woody base with musky hints adds a sophisticated layer of depth to the vanilla provides a welcome finish.
Acqua di Parma fragrances are usually best suited for the warmer weather. Yet, Vaniglia Eau de Parfum is perfect for autumn/winter. This powdery vanilla fragrance has woody masculine touches.
Performance is excellent, and you can expect 6+ hours of longevity with good sillage and projection. The powdery woody/vanilla notes last really well.
Presentation is deep and moody looking with a jet black bottle with matching black cap and gold embossed lettering on a black label.
Overall, in my humble opinion, Vaniglia Eau de Parfum is the best Acqua di Parma fragrance for winter wear. It is rich, yet has a refreshing zesty side that makes an excellent contrast to the powdery florals, vanilla and wood.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli, Heliotrope
Mid Notes:
Jasmine Sambac, Vanilla
Base Notes:
Cedarwood, Musk
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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6. Acqua Di Parma Oud Eau de Parfum
Review
Acqua di Parma Oud Eau de Parfum is a crowd-pleasing combination of freshly cut wood, leather and sparkling citrus fruits. Released in 2019, this unisex scent is more masculine but loved by pretty much everyone.
The opening is a striking duo of sharp bergamot and contrasting sweet orange. A heart of rich oud and resinous amyris releases wave after wave of utter decadence.
Luxurious worn leather in the base is joined by cedar, musk and a hint of patchouli. This winning combination simply oozes masculine class upon dry-down.
I feel Oud Eau de Parfum is best suited for autumn/winter, perhaps even creeping into springtime. It leans more towards being a dressy evening scent due to its deeply rich oud and leather notes. Think evening dining, date night, bars, the theatre.
Performance is excellent, you can expect 7+ hours of longevity before this fragrance settles into a skin scent. Projection and sillage are decent for the first 4-5 hours.
The presentation is manly and refined. The classic style AdP bottle is jet black with a matching black cap. The black label with gold lettering and Acqua di Parma embossed logo is the icing on the cake.
Overall, Oud Eau de Parfum is a rich gentleman’s scent that smells classy and expensive. It is an attention-seeking blend of rich wood, leather, resin and citrus. Wow!
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Orange
Mid Notes:
Haitian Amyris Oil, Russian Coriander, Oud
Base Notes:
Cedarwood, Leather, Patchouli Oil, Sandalwood, Musk
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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7. Acqua Di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
Launched in 2019, Acqua di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum is a masculine smelling leather/woody fragrance with an unusual raspberry and citrus twist. It’s sharp, sweet and warming at the same time with a rich leathery/woody finish.
This fragrance opens with a fanfare of zesty lemon and bitter orange sweetened with raspberry. A floral heart is quite feminine, with herb dusted rose and honeysuckle blooming discreetly.
Dry-down is where the action happens, smokey leather and deep woody notes pivot this fragrance into something incredibly manly and confident.
Leather Eau de Parfum is an autumn/winter evening fragrance that is dressy and refined. Perfect for more formal events such as weddings or dinner/dances that run into the early hours of the morning.
It’s long-lasting at 6+ hours with beast-mode sillage and projection so don’t overspray unless you are hitting the clubs.
The classic style AdP bottle is presented in jet black with matching black cap. The black label with gold embossed lettering and Acqua di Parma logo gives a classy look.
Overall, Acqua di Parma has outdone themselves with Leather Eau de Parfum. It is a dark and smokey classic smelling gentlemen’s fragrance that is brightened with citrus and raspberry.
Top Notes:
Brazilian Orange, Sicilian Lemon, Raspberry
Mid Notes:
Red Thyme, Honeysuckle, Petitgrain, Rose
Base Notes:
Leather accord, Cedar, Paraguayan Guaiac Oil
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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8. Acqua Di Parma Sandalo Eau de Parfum
Review
Sandalo Eau de Parfum is a woody aromatic combination of wood, spices and citrus, with a cheeky hit of lavender for good measure. This woody scent was released in 2019 and is destined to become a classic.
Opening notes are initially bright with the crispness of lemon, orange, bergamot and slightly bitter petitgrain. A heart of bright lavender is thoroughly immersed in spicy cardamom to really grab your attention.
Upon dry-down, exotically sweet sandalwood soon takes centre stage. Smooth tonka bean soon catches up to add a vanilla kick. Warming amber also delights.
Perfect for day or evening wear all year round aside from the hottest days of summer. More suited for the confident mature man who prefers a timeless composition.
Performance is pretty good, although I expected more from such a spicy, wood focused scent. You can expect 4+ hours of longevity with moderate sillage and projection.
The classic bottle is presented in jet black with its signature black cap. The black label is brightened with gold embossed lettering and AdP logo.
Overall, Sandalo Eau de Parfum is initially a bright barbershop style male fragrance with a lavender heart that soon reveals a deeper woody/spicy side. Smells old school… but in a good way.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, Petitgrain
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Cardamom
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
9. Acqua Di Parma Mandorolo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette
Review
Mandorolo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette was launched in 1999 and is part of the ‘Blu Mediterraneo’ collection. This moreish fragrance pairs vanilla with herbs, fruits, and spices to represent the Mediterranean island of Sicily.
Opening notes of bergamot and orange are sweetened with the liquorice scent of star anise. This soon blends into heart notes of green almond and exotic ylang-ylang that adds a tropical feel.
Upon dry-down, beautiful notes of sweet vanilla, and the cinnamon/vanilla scent of tolu balsam are most prominent. Wood and musk provide hidden complexity.
As for when to wear, Mandorolo di Sicilia is a head-turning spring, summer, autumn masculine scent best suited for daywear. Perhaps a relaxing outdoor lunch in the sunshine, or a chilled sight-seeing walk. It’s also office safe.
You can expect 5+ hours of longevity from this fragrance, longer if you spray on clothing. The sillage and projection of this fragrance are both moderate.
The bottle is presented in a deep Mediterranean blue with matching blue cap. The white label is brought to life with blue text, although Mandorolo di Sicilia is written in gold.
Overall, Mandorolo di Sicilia is a mix of spices, almond, and sweet vanilla with woody undertones that are sweet and spicy. This cheerful, almost gourmet fragrance that is ideal for pretty much any time of year.
Top Notes:
Star Anise, Italian Bergamot, Italian Orange
Mid Notes:
Green Almonds, Ylang Ylang
Base Notes:
Madagascar Vanilla, Lebanese Cedarwood, Tolu Balsam, Musk
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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10. Acqua Di Parma Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette
Review
Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette is an incredibly stylish fragrance that blends delicious fig and zesty citrus notes for a real wow-factor. Close your eyes, and you can almost feel the enticingly warm Mediterranean breeze around you.
The opening is initially harsh, with ultra-bright notes of lemon, bergamot and grapefruit hitting you with a wave of citrus. A heart of delicious, ripe fig softens the initial citrus blast. It is joined by a subtle layer of pepper coated jasmine.
Upon dry-down, fig wood, cedar, and benzoin’s resinous tones provide a welcoming layer of depth.
There is no doubt about it, Fico di Amalfi is a feel-good spring/summer fragrance. Its fusion of sweet fig and the trio of citrus notes create something that goes far beyond just a holiday scent. This could quickly become your spring/summer signature scent.
Longevity is reasonable at 4+ hours before becoming a skin scent. Sillage and projection are both moderate. Not a beast-mode club-filler but certainly will get you noticed.
Presented in a vibrant blue glass bottle that certainly conveys thoughts of summer by the Mediterranean coast. The matching outer box is a nice touch as it looks great and is easy to open.
Overall, Fico di Amalfi has fresh citrus duelling with sweet fig and woody notes for a real summertime feel. Pretty much a blind buy if you love gourmet fruity/citrus fragrances. Both me and Ingrid enjoy it, and we share a bottle.
Top Notes:
Italian Lemon, Italian Bergamot, Grapefruit
Mid Notes:
Fig Nectar, Pink Pepper, Jasmine Petals
Base Notes:
Fig Wood, Cedarwood, Benzoin
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
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11. Acqua Di Parma Chinotto di Liguria Eau de Toilette
Review
Celebrating the striking coastal views of the Liguria region of northwest Italy, Chinotto di Liguria Eau de Toilette is a cocktail of fruits and floral notes enriched with spices.
This striking fragrance uses the chinotto fruit’s bitter zestiness to create a scent that stands out from the crowd.
The opening of Chinotto di Liguria begins with the unusual bitter citrus of chinotto sweetened with mandarin. A heart of sweet (almost soapy) jasmine and earthy/green geranium works incredibly well with the contrasting herbs of rosemary and cardamom.
Upon dry-down, sensual, manly musk is most prominent after about an hour, with patchouli injecting its vibrant woody sweetness.
Chinotto di Liguria is a refreshing spring/summer fragrance that is best suited for daytime wear. The bitter citrus and rosemary combination is very individual, especially as it evolves into something more soapy and herbal.
Performance is reasonable for a citrus-dominant fragrance. I was able to get 4+ hours of longevity with decent sillage and projection for half of that time. Best to overspray or apply to clothing to boost performance.
The bottle is presented in classic AdP style in deep Mediterranean blue with a matching blue cap. The white label has mainly blue text but with Chinotto di Liguria written in red.
Overall, Chinotto di Liguria is a bright and bittersweet masculine fragrance that eventually mellows into a soapy skin scent dusted with herbs. Perfect for summertime when you want to wear something a little unusual.
Top Notes:
Chinotto, Mandarin
Mid Notes:
Jasmine, Geranium, Rosemary, Cardamom
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Musk
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
12. Acqua Di Parma Note di Colonia V Eau de Cologne
Review
Released in 2020, Note Di Colonia V is a masculine woody fragrance with a vibrant infusion of ginger and citrus. The striking contrast between the fresh, spicy, and woody notes is just what every guy needs in a confidence-boosting spring/summer scent.
The opening is almost pure citrus at first, consisting of equal measures of natural smelling lemon and bergamot. Pink pepper soon adds a welcome coating of spice.
A heart of ginger increases the spicy tension, with juniper providing contrasting freshness. Dry-down reveals a woody base of sandalwood and cedar that projects quality.
Note Di Colonia V is a true warm-weather fragrance, so ideal for spring/summer. The citrus/ginger/wood combination veers more towards casual daywear. This is an effortlessly classy male fragrance that feels good on.
Performance is not incredible, and this became a skin scent on me after 3 hours. Sillage and projection during that time were good. This is another fragrance that is best to either overspray to boost performance.
I love the presentation of the Acqua di Parma Note Di Colonia range. The bottle is delicate and understated. It really reminds me of the splash-on aftershaves on display at the barbers when I was a kid.
Overall, Note di Colonia V is a summer-fresh masculine fragrance with a cheeky kick of spice and wood. The citrus is clearly of the highest quality and is extremely natural.
Appreciate this one is expensive and does not even perform that well. Still, if you have the budget and want to experience a classy ‘freshie’, Note di Colonia V could be a perfect match.
Top Notes:
Calabrian Lemon, Calabrian Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Mid Notes:
Ginger, Juniper
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Cedarwood
Season To Wear
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
What Is The Best Acqua Di Parma Men’s Fragrance?
The best Acqua Di Parma fragrance for men has to be Colonia Eau de Cologne. Zesty lemon, bergamot and sweet orange are balanced by rosemary, lavender and lemony creaminess of verbena. Settles into a dry base of vetiver, with hints of wood and patchouli. Longevity is 4+ hours.
Are Acqua di Parma Fragrances Long Lasting?
Acqua di Parma fragrances are medium-lasting. We found that of the 12 we tested, their longevity ranged between 3 to 7 hours, with an average of 4+ hours. These fragrances are a mixture of Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum.
Fragrance Summary
Below is a helpful table detailing season-to-wear and overall longevity of the 12 best Acqua di Parma fragrances for men.
| Name | Season | Longevity |
| 1. Colonia | Spring/Summer | 4+ |
| 2. Colonia Intensa | Spring/Summer/Autumn | 4+ |
| 3. Colonia Club | Spring/Autumn | 4+ |
| 4. Colonia Essenza | Spring/Summer | 5+ |
| 5. Vaniglia | Autumn/Winter | 6+ |
| 6. Oud | Autumn/Winter/Spring | 7+ |
| 7. Leather | Autumn/Winter | 6+ |
| 8. Sandalo | Any Season | 4+ |
| 9. Mandorolo di Sicilia | Spring/Summer | 5+ |
| 10. Fico di Amalfi | Spring/Summer | 4+ |
| 11. Chinotto di Liguria | Spring/Summer | 4+ |
| 12. Note di Colonia V | Spring/Summer | 3+ |
Conclusion
The Italians clearly know a thing or two about creating refreshingly vibrant fragrances with a Mediterranean vibe. The best Acqua de Parma fragrances for men blend zesty citrus notes with spices, herbs and light woods that work really well for the spring and summer.
You can smell the quality with these fragrances, so much so that whenever I wear my prized bottle of Colonia, I can almost see the lemons hanging off the tree.
Interestingly I almost passed Acqua di Parma by as read many reviews complaining about poor longevity. Although their fragrances are not incredible performers, the quality of the ingredients is undeniable.
They smell so fresh and natural that having to apply a top-up spray after a few hours in a minor inconvenience in my personal opinion.
The outer packaging is made of sturdy material that matches the colour and theme of each fragrance. This also acts as a fancy case with no messing about with lids or flaps (as they join easily in the middle).
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, luxury accessories and more.
