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
Cómo valora la comunidad esta fragancia.
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 sample from Bofifa, I was able to try the Essenza. I think the Aqua di Gio and my nose don’t get along; 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 perceived in the Profumo. Unfortunately, I don’t like it; maybe I’m a black sheep. The longevity seems good, but it just doesn’t suit 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; rather dense, masculine, woody and mature. He walked past and left a trail. Excellent fixation and performance. Of course, he loved it. A real gem.
The Essenza recalls that distant era when a flanker wasn’t created just to cash in quickly on an eager market. Before the trend of releasing unnecessary colognes, the younger brother of a hit was planned with the same care as the pillar. The rule was that while it should resemble the father, it must have its own life. If it worked well, it would start an epic saga like Lord of the Rings, not an agonising one like The Hobbit just to make a few quid. Acqua di Gio Essenza is a character from the first trilogy that everyone is interested in. It’s the difference between something well-made and an entity without personality. Essenza is one of the first; it looks to its father but heads in other directions that give it its own life. Besides, it’s a very good cologne. I’ve always liked the Aqua di Gio, but I never used it; it was the fragrance of several men in my group, and out of respect, I wouldn’t try it. Wearing someone else’s perfume just because you see them often seems rude to me. This Essenza is perfect: it takes the sporty woody and citrus nuances of the original without overcomplicating things, adding aromatic notes to give it its own life. It’s an Acqua di Gio with a fantastic carbonated body, fizzy grapefruit, and an abstract idea of clean crystal to play with the aldehydic notes. 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. A perfect perfume for spring, citrusy, woody, aromatic, and smelling of 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 found in many aromatic fragrances from the 90s. I don’t usually like that tone, but here it’s loved because it’s perfectly blended with calone and aquatic notes.
For summer, the Essenza has no competition; only the Dior Homme Sport 2008 gives it a bit of a fight.
I was lucky enough to find a 180ml bottle last week, what a surprise. It’s like the mother dough of the original Aqua di Gio that I fell in love with upon first spray; a real joy to recall that scent with very good longevity. If you have it, don’t hesitate; it’s pure summer and a genuine treat from Armani.
I’ve just tried it and it seems overrated. I found a perfumeria in Argentina selling two large bottles for $50. When I tested 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 bomb for summer, a tremendous fragrance.
Miraculously, I managed to get 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 fascinated by both equally, but after trying the Profumo, I feel the Essenza is more imposing.
The Essenza is far superior to both the Profumo and the original; it smells more solid, distinctly aquatic and elegant. It makes me feel genuinely close to the sea. At first, it smells of boiled egg for about five minutes, but then it changes completely. Anecdote: one winter day I went to a restaurant and an unknown girl complimented my scent the moment I approached. This fragrance earns compliments from the very first use. I don’t understand why Armani discontinued it; it surpasses the original in 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 notable three hours; if you want more, it’s a bomb. The projection is moderate, but with a breeze, it shines twice as bright. It suits any occasion, though perhaps it doesn’t stand out as much indoors as outdoors. My rating: 9/10.
What a shame they’ve discontinued it; it was a real cracker. I still have half of a 180ml bottle, but I’m only keeping it to give the Profumo some marketing boost.
Undoubtedly the best in the Aqua di Gio line. The pity is that it’s discontinued. Fortunately, I keep a 75ml bottle, 90% full, from batch 38J301 of 2012. Although Profumo is also very good, I stick with this. Whoever can manage to get a small bottle should do it, but it will cost you 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 scent. 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 stands out in its own way 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 more oceanic/salty water like in the original (probably how my nose detects the Calone). It keeps the beautiful bergamot of the original Acqua di Gio but 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 of the original. Moderate projection, while longevity is very good. Overall, this is one of the best fragrances I’ve ever smelled (just like the original Acqua di Gio, which is my preference due to the stronger lime note; the original Acqua di Gio also works very well for me).
Fortunately, I found a perfume on sale. It turned out to be a great investment for this Acqua and has a diverse aroma compared to the traditional one. They say it’s the scent most similar to the first version of the current Gio. However, I prefer the current classic version. This version 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 collecting.
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 the incense smell after a few minutes, which is brutal… I couldn’t handle that flanker, so I returned it. Always prefer this version; it has the exact point without the heaviness of the incense. It’s the best!
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 doesn’t come close to the one with Profumo; Profumo came to replace Essenza as they share many similarities. Essenza has a very fresh, green, floral and rich opening, but after half an hour it resembles that woody, ambered incense of Profumo quite closely. Is the hype worth it? No. I bet if it still existed today, it would be another ADG flanker, as it has a huge similarity between ADG pour homme and Profumo. Should I recommend paying the exorbitant amounts they ask? No, better buy something niche. In conclusion, if you have it, use it and don’t sell it; if you don’t, go for Profumo or something niche. Its longevity is normal, around 5 hours, the sillage is moderate, the scent is rich but not the best I’ve ever smelled, and the hype is largely due to famous YouTubers, so if you don’t have it, don’t be frustrated; there are many better options on the market than Essenza. 8/10.
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 pleasant final combination. It lasts 6 hours on the skin, projecting a slight aura of excellence that the other flankers don’t possess.
I bought it in 2015 for one of my birthdays; I was thinking of buying the original Aqua di Gio, but for some reason, I decided on this flanker. It’s a fresh, elegant, masculine and very pleasant scent. One of my favourite fragrances. It’s excellent for walking around the city, going to the shops or spending the day at a sports club, although it’s a bit weak for events and parties.
Very good! 👌👌. I currently have it, and it’s still available in Cuba at its original price 🥳🥳.
I’ll start by saying it’s the best in the saga, closely followed by its daughter Profumo, but Essenza is even more versatile. Let’s be clear: I don’t understand the disappearance of this gem, and I admit its withdrawal has turned it into a myth. But it truly smells delicious, projects very notably, and lasts over eight hours on the skin with a generous application. In many ways, I’d say it’s the perfect fragrance for mild seasons; its freshness and citrus taste are masterfully accompanied by floral notes and woody bases. If you can find it at a reasonable price, get it and use it with moderation: it’s a memory of master Morillas that you’ll want to keep for the rest of your life.
Hello! First time reviewing. I walked into a perfumery looking for ADG Profumo or Profondo and stumbled upon an Essenza tester on a shelf. They told me it had no box, but the bottle was full, so they sold it to me for under $30. It’s a gem: 75ml from June 2012 with incredible longevity and sillage. It starts strong, sour and citrusy, then moves to herbs that make it potent. As it dries down, it rounds off and smells almost identical to Profumo. Greetings from Argentina!
Discontinuity makes these fragrances acquire an overvalue. 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, and if you leave it impregnated on the sheets where you spend the night (¬‿¬). I’m privileged to have bought it in 2016 and still be enjoying it today.
Masterpiece by master Morillas. It’s an ADG Profumo without incense, but it goes further, making it more versatile and fresh. Exquisite and addictive opening, spectacular woody and marine dry-down. Some find the sweetness of the Profumo nauseating, but here there are no excuses: it works in open or closed spaces, in any season. An all-terrain fragrance. However, the Profumo is more elegant; both have their thing. I don’t include the Profondo because I feel it’s an improved and updated version of the Pour Homme, a bit further away from these two. Unfortunately, Essenza is discontinued, and the few units they sell 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, as is 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. Super balanced and consistent structure. Typical citrus opening: in the classic, lime is more noticeable, here there’s less acidity and a slight sweetness (perhaps more bergamot), and the marine nuances are felt from the start. In the heart notes, less basil and instead a sort of mint not listed in the notes (both get confused). Floral notes are evident. Then woody and smoky nuances appear, likely from vetiver and cedar, which soften the citrus. Clearly a masculine fragrance. Excellent performance: longevity over 7 hours and strong sillage. A recommended classic.
Product of ‘much noise and few nuts’. It’s ADG Pour Homme with better longevity and projection. The dry-down is a bit heavier and creamier, probably due to the musk, but it doesn’t add much more than the EDT in aroma. If the EDT seems the quintessence to you, buy it. It’s not that the EDT lasted much longer in the past. We’re victims of expectations and the current ‘Andrés’ reviews. I suggest looking for other flankers like Profondo or the EDP.
Hello friend. I can’t guarantee with certainty which sold more, but both are in the best-seller category. According to Andrés PerfumeMan, on his list of the top ten best-sellers of all time, Dior Sauvage holds number one and ADG number three. Obviously, ADG has been on the market much longer and was a bomb when it launched. I think those figures are around there. A big hug.
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 years and it doesn’t get 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-generating. A classic that doesn’t go 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 heat I’ve owned. Too many compliments with this gem. Lucky I bought extra when they discontinued it.
When a masterpiece improves, the merit is enormous. That happened with Dior Homme Parfum, and so it has with Acqua di Gio Essenza. It surpasses many niche scents. A potent citrus and aquatic opening with a mentholated balsamic touch that gives oxygen. Then herbs and white flowers add greenery, finishing with a sweet dry-down that softens everything, akin to 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.
Another review of mine on the Acqua di Gio saga and this time it was the Essenza’s turn. The truth is, 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 young, 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 as time goes on; its longevity is between four and six hours. In the heart notes I only perceive the basil and in the dry down only the 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 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 testify to that–. Unfortunately in my country it’s no longer available and those in stock ask exorbitant prices; luckily I now have two of them. In summary, it’s a fresh, young, 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.
The crown jewel of Armani. The original boosted to the max, but why did they pull it? They’re mad. None of the weirdly named flankers surpass this. I’m dying for it to return and for them to discontinue Absolú and Profondo, as they don’t even last an hour.
I remember that ten years ago this version was heavily criticised –even for that reason it was discontinued– but for some reason it has become cult recently. Nevertheless, 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: to extract the essence of the original and give it that twist many were asking for.
It’s a great perfume and normally those who have it will tell you it’s a wonder, but I’m not one of those. Early today I passed 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 short, I think they’re all good, last the same, and smell quite similar at some point, because Acqua di Gio is Acqua di Gio and hot water has already been invented. Don’t go crazy for the discontinued Essenza or Profumo. Cheers.
Turned into the queen of discontinued and hyped perfumes at nearly 400 quid a 100ml bottle. The reasons are simple: 1) the performance of the current Armani Acqua di Giò EDT is very poor, with many flankers and a reputation for being weak; 2) a nostalgic hype created by perfumer snobbery. All of this increased by ego-driven, long-tongued opportunists 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 one, but let’s not go crazy, gentlemen. As someone commented, the AdG Essenza from 2012-13-14 passed with more pain than glory as just another flanker in the already saturated saga. That’s why it was discontinued, besides to release other slot-machine flankers that are more bland and repetitive. Just like with other fragrances, it was discontinued to start the nostalgic hype: ‘AdG Essenza was the best Acqua di Giò’, ‘it had a great aroma that kept the punch of the original from 1996’, ‘when master Alberto Morillas created it, he came to give us life’. Its fans say it lasted longer than Megamare, Kenzo Homme Intense, and the Cuentamé 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 at the time 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’s incense. And the Profondo with a watery touch is also nice, especially in summer. In 2024 Armani plans to release another AdG. Let’s see what they present to us.
More potent 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 had doubts about the price, but I couldn’t leave without it. It reminds me of when my father used to wear it; the olfactory memory is powerful and was enough to make me buy it. I treasure it not for the money, but for the memories it evokes.
I think there’s too much discord about what it was for each person. If you had it, you have your opinion, but some speak from ignorance. Using the original, it’s hard for this not to have pleased them. It was more elegant, with an amber base, but keeping the basil, pepper, and ambergris that gave it the twist. It lasted and projected more than the classic, which still worked brilliantly for me when the Essenza came out. The bottle was also more sophisticated with that magnetic cap. I used it quite a bit, not as a signature, but for special occasions or from time to time. I ended up with two bottles and now I have less than a quarter of the last one left (I’m not sure if it smells the same as when I opened it). It’s a pity I found out about its discontinuation so late, but I enjoyed it while I could. I used it once this year and always receive compliments; a friend asked: ‘ADG, right?’. Almost. If you want to smell like ADG, buy the original straight up. You can talk about whichever flanker you like, but the original formula, although it doesn’t last long for some, is unique and remains the one that smells the best.
I bought everything they said, thinking it would be the same as the original with a slight change, but it’s not very serious or elegant. I don’t see it for young people or for very elegant formal events.
Agree with the others, but only because it’s an absolute price madness. The truth is, it smells glorious: it’s the most potent original without reaching the levels of Parfum or the classic Profumo. Although the scent is the same, that sparkle in every note makes it incredible. I just regret that there isn’t a concentration like this nowadays from Armani.
I picked this up by mistake years ago and loved it; its performance was brutal, beastly, etc. It’s a pity 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, it seems like madness and it’s not the eighth wonder.