Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum Review (2024)

Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum by Giorgio Armani is an aromatic aquatic perfume for men, launched in 2022. The perfumer behind this release is the original nose behind the 1996 Acqua di Gio Eau de Toilette perfume, Alberto Morillas.

The concept of this product is natural sustainability with eco-friendly refillable bottles, natural and sustainably sourced ingredients, and Giorgio Armani’s forest preservation programs in Guatemala.

With that in mind, Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum fragrance is meant to be a fragrance for the future, infinitely refillable with reduced use of plastic thanks to its new wooden cap.

If you want to become a perfumer you should be able to marvel at things as you did as a child.

ALBERTO MORILLAS

Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum in three words: AQUATIC – GREEN – MINERAL

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Don’t have the time to read the review right now? No worries! Here are my 5 quick takes:

1. A safe blind buy for spring and summer
2. Created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas in 2022
3. Includes many natural raw oils presented in an eco-friendly and refillable bottle
4. Lasts around 5 – 7 hours with moderate projection and alluring sillage
5. A weak successor to the discontinued Acqua di Gio Profumo

As a huge fan of Acqua di Gio Profumo, the Eau de Parfum flanker was met with high expectations, and huge shoes to fill if it was ever going to replace now discontinued favorite of mine.

These are my thoughts on wearing it through the spring and summer of 2022.

Brand and Perfume History

Giorgio Armani S.p.A. is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in Milan, Italy in 1975. Besides fragrances, the company also produces and offers leather goods, shoes, accessories, haute couture, ready-to-wear, and home interiors.

The founder of the company is Giorgio Armani, born in Piacenza, Italy in 1934.

Armani Brand Details

Along with his partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, Giorgio Armani founded the Giorgio Armani SpA, allegedly on money from the sale of Armani’s Volkswagen.

Today, it is considered Italy’s second-biggest fashion group behind Prada, and one of the biggest fashion houses in the modern world.

This road to becoming a world-recognized fashion giant came from carefully signing licenses in the early days of the company such as:

• 1980 -agreement with L’Oreal for the production and distribution of fragrances, cosmetics, and beauty products
• 1988 – Luxottica for eyewear
• 1991 – Simint for manufacturing and distribution license for A|X Armani Exchange

In the 1990s, the company decided to cancel licenses and take production back for more control over quality control and distribution.

In 2016, Armani stopped using animal fur in all of its collections to cut completely on cruel practices regards animals.

Besides the main Giorgio Armani brand, the company also owns the following brands:

1. Emporio Armani
2. Armani Collezioni
3. Armani Exchange
4. Armani Junior and Armani Baby
5. Armani/Casa
6. Armani/Dolci
7. Armani/Fiori
8. Armani/Hotels

Armani Beauty has been a major supporter of the Venice Film Festival since 2018 and was the main sponsor in 2019. Armani’s sponsorship and philanthropy also include the 2009 FINA World Aquatics Championships, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the national football team at the UEFA Euro 2020.

A piece of short information about Armani’s dedication to sustainability commitment from the official website: “Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing challenges and an ever-growing concern for citizens across the globe. To contribute to the sustainable transformation that the world both needs and expects, Armani beauty has decided to focus its efforts on its carbon emissions. Combined with the preservation of critical forests in Northern Zimbabwe and in Madagascar and their unique biodiversity, they allowed the brand to achieve carbon neutrality on MY WAY in 2020. As a result of a new, 5- year action plan, Armani beauty also commits to further reducing its carbon footprint by an additional 25% and to achieve carbon neutrality for all its products by 2025.”

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum Story

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum was created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas in 2022 as a new reinterpretation of the classic Acqua Di Giò formula dedicated to those who wish something more intense and long-lasting.

This fragrance is blended with natural green mandarin, aromatic essences, and a woody mineral dry-down. The natural ingredients include clary sage from Provence, geranium from Madagascar, and patchouli from Guatemala.

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Eau de Parfum is available in four different sizes: 40ml and 75ml, 125ml atomized spray bottles and 150ml refillable bottle which is similar to those found on Christian Dior bottles.

Perfume Theme

A note from the brand: “Giorgio Armani introduces Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum: a fragrance for the future. Meeting the values of a new generation, Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum is a fragrance whose every facet is mindful of the planet. From the eco-conception of its bottle to the flacon’s endless refillability. From its natural and sustainably sourced ingredients to the fragrance’s pledge to preserve forests in Guatemala, awareness of the environment is woven into Acqua Di Gio Eau De Parfum’s creation. The new eco-conceived bottle reduces the use of plastic thanks to its new cap, directly shaped into wood & sustainably sourced in Europe. Infinitely refillable, infinitely fresh.”

Notes and Classification

• Perfumer: Alberto Morillas
• Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
• Fragrance Type: Aromatic Aquatic
• Release Date: 2022
• Target Audience: Men
• Masculine/Feminine: 90% – 10%
• Most dominant notes: Sea notes, Mineral notes, Clary Sage
• Age Group: 25+
• Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
• Occasions: Leisure, Business, Sport, Clubbing
• Longevity and Projection: 5 – 7 hours with moderate projection
• The recommended number of sprays: 4 – 6
• Compliments: High
• Likeability: High
• Uniqueness: 2/5
• Value for money: 8/10
• Accords: Aromatic, Aquatic, Mineral
• Reviewed batch code: 38UN004 – November 2021
• Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
• Sample/Buy/Pass: Sample
• Production: Available

PERFUME NOTES
Top notes: Italian green mandarin orange, Sea notes
Heart notes: Provencal clary sage, Provencal lavender, Madagascan geranium
Base notes: Mineral notes, Haitian vetiver, Guatemala patchouly

Perfume Presentation

A shift in modern trends has seen many designers and niche brands switching to sustainable fragrance packaging which is also the case here.

The new Acqua di Gio comes in refillable bottles no matter which size you choose, and the cap is made out of real wood, just like in the case of Lalique Encre Noire A L’Extreme.

I applaud this decision to keep our environment more eco-friendly and to reduce waste. But, just keep in mind, once you decide to decant or refill the bottle, your fragrance will be sustainable to go bad more quickly than it would be if the perfume was not refillable.

The basic cardboard of the box is also made out of recycled paper and gives a feeling of something you would usually see in tester fragrances.

As for the bottle itself, it is your usual Acqua di Gio bottle that remains unchanged since its original inception in 1996. Classy and masculine.

The only difference lies in the new wooden cap and the fact that is a refillable fragrance. The sprayer shoots the liquid far and narrow.

Being aware of our planet’s preservation is a great thing we all should endorse, but I do feel that the overall impression of presentation quality has been lost with the removal of the magnetic cap found in Acqua di Gio Profumo.

PRO TIP: I highly recommend you buy any Giorgio Armani products either from the official website, or reliable fragrance discounters. Armani fragrances are widely counterfeited and are usually not discounter that much. If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is not worth buying, and the risk.

My Experience With Perfume

I believe that the whole concept of what and for whom this fragrance is is done perfectly by the brand itself. The whole campaign about natural ingredients and eco-friendly materials, and the big amount of raw oils inside this bottle should satisfy wider audiences.

I’m not surprised at all that the original Acqua di Gio is still the best-selling men’s perfume of all time, and that the logical thing from a marketing point of view is to keep releasing flankers until this DNA becomes old.

What surprised me is how this formula still works today, and rarely anything from the 90s can still pass as a modern fragrance that garners as much attention as this whole fragrance line.

The new EDP was enjoyable wear for me at first, and I really had to think a couple of times about who exactly is this fragrance for.

The issue for me is that I have already seen this formula before with a couple of differences. Mainly, in Profondo and Profumo. Both of these are more complete products in my opinion, and I still cannot believe that Armani decided to stop producing the best flanker of all – Profumo.

I’m afraid that a more mineral and aromatic formula isn’t going to be enough for fragrance enthusiasts who will instantly recognize the lack of direction about where is this line going in the future.

I am also quite positive that almost everyone will enjoy the first 10 wearings of Eau de Parfum, and find it a quite versatile fragrance suitable for almost any scenario and situation.

The real issue comes after the initial impressions settle down, and the realization that you have already smelled this under another name.

As I will explain in my in-depth dissection just down below, there is really nothing wrong about this release, and I’m sure that it will fly off the shelves like crazy, there is nothing new here to keep me interested long-term.

For example, Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum does the same job but is better, and more interesting with greater performance.

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Top Notes

• Italian green mandarin orange
• Sea notes

Alberto Morillas or better known as “the king of freshies” knows how to execute these kinds of formulas to perfection.

The master perfumer has created more than a dozen successful releases so far that are widely popular such as Bvlgari Man In Black, CK One, and Salvatore Ferragamo Uomo Signature, just to name a few.

He is also the owner of the brand Mizensir which is a fragrance house I can’t wait to check out. The issue of creating so many fragrances in a single year is one of creativity that often lacks, and the main reason he has mixed reception from fragrance aficionados.

I have also seen some reviews from fragrance bloggers and a couple of fragrance YouTube reviewers that push this release like it’s the new Creed Aventus.

The fragrance opens up similarly to the original, Profondo, and Profumo but is fresher, less floral, dark, and woody.

With so many natural ingredients inside, one would expect a natural smell, and it is detectable but mixed in a way that it feels more like a painting of notes and accords, rather than the real thing.

The green mandarine is here, but far away from the one found in a more realistic approach in 4711 Acqua Colonia Mandarine & Cardamom.

Upon the initial spray, the signature aquatic note from the original also lets you know which flanker this is without getting into the soapy territory some aquatic fragrances from the 90s are known for.

Heart Notes

• Provencal clary sage
• Provencal lavender
• Madagascan geranium

As the opening notes start to burn out and the fragrance starts to settle on your skin, dare I say, too quickly for my taste, the green bitterness coming from the clary sage, lavender, and geranium starts to pop out and paint the fragrance in a more aromatic way.

This part of the scent is where the twist happens, and pushes it into more modern territory. This is especially evident with the inclusion of clary sage which is a note almost every new fresh release contains.

The prevalent sea note stays for the whole life of the scent without getting too salty since in this case, it would probably ruin the pleasant and inviting scent aroma.

Herbs here aren’t bitter and are included in the right amount to prevent them from resembling the old-school powerhouse fragrances from the 70s.

Even with the change of pace with a mixture of herbal notes, there is no avoiding mentioning how it smells similar to Profondo and Profumo, especially, in the opening and the heart notes.

One saving grace here is the fact it also resembles the discontinued Acqua di Gio Essenza, and it is a great way to kinda experience that fragrance without paying big cash from fragrance resellers.

Before the full dry down, the fragrance evokes the easy-going Mediterranean life, and it had a nostalgic effect on me more than once bringing me back to the summer holiday on the Dalmatian coast.

Base Notes

• Mineral notes
• Haitian vetiver
• Guatemala patchouly

The Eau de Parfum’s dry down is where I often wondered, where are the base notes? Except for the slightly sharp mineral impression which is actually detectable throughout the whole life of the fragrance if you pay close attention to the fragrance development, patchouli, and vetiver are stripped from life completely.

Anyone expecting Eau de Parfum to finish grandiosely is going to be at least somewhat disappointed. Both notes are here just to cover the holes and round up the scent without smelling like a real deal.

The greenness I detect in the base is still coming from the aromatic herb from the middle notes. Being that the vetiver and patchouli are according to Giorgio Armani natural raw oils, it is strange to see them acting like television static.

In the end, what remains are touches of zesty citruses from the opening, quite pleasing clary sage, and ocean vibes with a pinch of cold salt. Good, easy to wear, and predictable.

Strangely enough, I get similar vibes from Tom Ford Costa Azzurra but that one is on a whole another level of quality.

Performance

If we are talking about sillage, Eau de Parfum leaves a nice and round scent trail for the first two hours with above-average projection before it goes into the moderate territory and sits close to your skin.

This is not a bad thing because it is meant to be a moderate and versatile performer ideal for multiple occasions.

Longevity vise lasts anywhere from 5 up to 7 hours with most of it being a light fragrance that is liked by others, the scent will invite them to get closer to you and discover it.

LONGEVITY:  5 – 7 hours with moderate projection
PROJECTION: Above average
SILLAGE: Soft – Medium

Target audience and compliments

Eau de Parfum flanker of Acqua di Gio will work best with men who used to wear or still wear the original Acqua di Gio and is a natural upgrade to the formula that due to the numerous reformulations has made it almost exclusively a skin scent, and a shadow of its former self.

This association with the more mature audience makes it also a great and safe blind buy for your loved ones. Everyone above 25 – 30 years of age should be safe, and will not smell like a fragrance from yesteryear.

One thing that every Acqua di Gio fragrance does make is a positive impression.

I’m yet to find a person who said they cannot stand this perfume. Most of the time, being from family, friends, or coworkers, expect a positive comment on how good you smell. Giorgio Armani’s philosophy is if it works, don’t change it too much.

AUDIENCE: Men
AGE RANGE: 25+
COMPLIMENTS: High

When & Where

Seasonally, every fragrance from the Acqua di Gio line works as a great daily signature scent in spring and summer. But realistically, other than the harsh and cold winter weather, this one is a whole year’s fragrance.

Due to its versatile scent DNA, lighter and brighter notes work better during the daytime, but it wouldn’t be out of place during the nighttime as a clubbing fragrance as well. For this, I can vouch personally since I wore it a couple of times during the warm summer nights in clubs.

SEASONS: Spring, Summer, and Fall
OCCASIONS: Leisure, Business, Sport, Clubbing
ATTIRE: Professional, Smart-Casual, Casual, Sport

Uniqueness and value for money

Armani fragrances are priced the same as Dior, Chanel, and Hermes, and are rarely found much discounted.

As in the aforementioned brands, Armani delivers a great quality of ingredients and blending if we are talking about designer fragrances.

Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum is not a unique creation and smells way too similar to the previous releases. Therefore, I recommend it only to people who would like an upgrade to Eau de Toilette, or as a gift to someone who is not that into the fragrance game.

UNIQUENESS: 2/5
VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10

Pros and Cons

Here are some better and weaker parts of this perfume:

Collection & Similar Perfumes

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio line consists of more than ten fragrances with some being more popular, while others, unfortunately, better ones being discontinued. These are the ones worth seeking out:

• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Profumo – an aromatic aquatic fragrance released in 2015. The main notes include sea notes, incense, and bergamot. The lasting power is 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection.
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Profondo – an aromatic fougere fragrance released in 2020. The main notes include sea notes, aquozone, and metallic notes. The lasting power is 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection.
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Absolu – a woody aquatic fragrance released in 2018. The main notes include sea notes, woody notes, and tonka beans. The lasting power is 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection.
• Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio – an aromatic aquatic fragrance released in 1996. The main notes include sea notes, lime, and lemon. The lasting power is 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.

Similar perfumes(besides the Acqua di Gio line):

• Perry Ellis 360° Red for Men – a citrus spicy fragrance released in 2003. The main notes include lime, bergamot, and cinnamon. The lasting power is 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
• Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale – an aromatic aquatic fragrance released in 2013. The main notes include sea notes, mint, and lavender. The lasting power is 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most popular questions asked about this perfume.

Conclusion

Overall, did I enjoy my wearing experience with the latest Acqua di Gio? Yes, I did. Did I find it quality-wise at the higher echelon of the designer fragrance offerings? Absolutely.

Do I think that this is a redundant release? Yes, I do. Who would I recommend it to? To anyone who likes the original Eau de Toilette and wants a slight change of pace with a better performance.

For anyone else, it is better to stick with Profumo and Profondo. If you are planning to gift this fragrance to someone who is not into fragrances, it may be a great gift.

Otherwise, there are many other better and more complex perfumes on the market to smell great at a similar price.

What are your thoughts about Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum? Have you tried it? Do you like it? Let’s start a conversation and let me know in the comment section below.

In case you are in doubt about whether you should consider buying any fragrance, it’s always good to take a look at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide.

It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can check out if a particular fragrance is worth checking out, and potentially find your signature perfume.

Find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists, and other helpful reviews via the links below:

REVIEWS

• Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
• Amouage Reflection Man
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TOP LISTS

• Top 10 Best Fall Perfumes For Women
• Top 10 Best Fall Fragrances For Men
• Top 10 Best Designer Fragrances For Beginners
• Top 10 Best Niche Fragrances For Beginners
• Best Men’s Perfume Christmas Gifts
• Best Women’s Perfume Christmas Gifts

SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER

• Designer Vs Niche Fragrances
• How To Start A Perfume Collection
• Fragrance Discounters
• Fragrance Strengths & Perfume Concentrations
• How To Wear Perfume
• How To Find Your Signature Scent

Until next time, have a great time, and keep smelling like a million bucks!

Best, Marin!
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