Acqua di Parma Essenza di Colonia

[professorchaos]

While on a forced trip to the local upscale mall, I made my escape and fled to the relative sanctuary of Neiman's mens department (not hip enough for Barney's). Over many such trips, I've gotten to know the lady who works there. So I got a chance to smell quite a few new releases that are coming this month.

The best of the bunch is Acqua di Parma's Essenza. If you like how Collezione Barbiere products smell, chances are pretty good you are going to like this. I won't say it is a dead ringer for them, but it is pretty damn close.

I also smelled Bleu de Chanel which merits further investigation and a new Clive Christian that could merit further investigation but won't. Way too much money, way too fugly bottles.

 

[djh]

Pray tell Henry................... what forced you to the Mall?

Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Obsessed]

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

I mean, thanks for the tip, Henry.

 

[professorchaos]

Pray tell Henry................... what forced you to the Mall?

Thanks for the heads-up!

Somebody "needed" to shop. Shoe AD, as it affects the female of the species, is irresistible.

 

[Cuttingboard]

The best of the bunch is Acqua di Parma's Essenza. If you like how Collezione Barbiere products smell, chances are pretty good you are going to like this. I won't say it is a dead ringer for them, but it is pretty damn close.

I also smelled Bleu de Chanel which merits further investigation and a new Clive Christian that could merit further investigation but won't. Way too much money, way too fugly bottles.

Love AdP Colonia and look forward to giving Collezione Barbiere a try. Is it another interpretation of Colonia or repackaged Colonia?

Smelled Bleu the other day at Nordstroms and thought it was fine but a little sweet for me.

 

[DULLAH]

Essenza is a new third flanker scent?

I like classic Colonia, but didn't care for Assoluta or Intensa. Eager to find and try Essenza. Hopefully it gained a higher portion of lemon, rosemary, neroli, bulgarian rose, and tonka bean.... and got a lower portion or the tonic/powdery notes. That would perfect colonia imho.

 

[JaDo]

Interesting...

The bottle alone caught my attention the other day.

 

[professorchaos]

Love AdP Colonia and look forward to giving Collezione Barbiere a try. Is it another interpretation of Colonia or repackaged Colonia?

Smelled Bleu the other day at Nordstroms and thought it was fine but a little sweet for me.

Essenza is a new third flanker scent?

I like classic Colonia, but didn't care for Assoluta or Intensa. Eager to find and try Essenza. Hopefully it gained a higher portion of lemon, rosemary, neroli, bulgarian rose, and tonka bean.... and got a lower portion or the tonic/powdery notes. That would perfect colonia imho.

Based on that first smell, I think of it as Collezione Barbiere EdT rather than another variation on the original.

 

[DULLAH]

Apparently it will ship on the 20th....


Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Grapefruit, Petit grain, Neroli, Rosemary, Clove, Lilly of the Valley, Rose Accord, Jasmine Accord, Patchouli, Vetiver, White Musk, Amber



As for comparing the notes to the original Colonia, almost all of the mare identical, except several which I see changed for hopefully a contemporary improvement:


Replacing English Lavender (old/soapy) and Ylang Ylang (powdery sweet), with a much more contemporary Lily of the Valley (fresh watery floral) and Clove (spicy sweet) is a great move imo. Not so sure about eliminating Sandalwood or replacing Vervain(verbena) with Grapefruit though......

...Still very exited to smell this one, as it eliminates the two notes I've always didn't favor in the original Acqua Di Parma Colonia, and keep the rest of the notes I love in it.

I think I like the packaging as much as the limited edition prestige bottle I got:

 

[Obsessed]

Well, that's definitely getting added to the "to try" list.

 

[DULLAH]

Well, that's definitely getting added to the "to try" list.

All their products are so refined and classy, even the ones I don't like are well done and tasteful.



I for one, hope the strongest notes are still the same Lemon, Rosemary, Neroli, and Bulgarian Rose found in the original.....just a change if the supporting notes would be perfect.....also just noticed they replaced the seville Orange with Mandarine.....if it's got a slight taste of that synthetic Mandarine featured in Guerlain's Mandarine Basilic i will be in EDC bliss.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Yes, love all their products.

 

[gswearengin]

Curiosity = piqued

I love/lust after AdP, but none of the formulations quite work for me. I fell in love with Assoluta in really hot weather, but was a little underwhelmed in other circumstances. This sounds like they may have tweaked the formula to my liking, getting rid of the powderiness that is so prevalent in the others. I can't wait to see how this smells on me...

Quick question: I read somewhere that this was designed for cooler weather, and the launch time would seem to back that up. But the ingredients list (and the fact that it is AdP) seems to have warm weather/summertime written all over it. Those of you who have tried it, what do you think?

GS

 

[DULLAH]

For all my fellow Chicago B&B'ers.....Neiman Marcus on Michigan ave. has their tester out. Eager to hear takes on this, as I can't make it over to Neiman's til sunday.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I just received an email from the Grooming Lounge that they will be carrying Colonia Essenza Eau De Cologne. Not sure what other stores in the area are carrying it, maybe Neiman Marcus.

 

[ssultan]

Henry, eager to hear your thoughts on this now that I see it in your SOTD's....

 

[hairscraper]

Henry, eager to hear your thoughts on this now that I see it in your SOTD's....

Me too! I like that black bottle. Love the original colonia.

 

[slickster514]

I tired it at Harrods in London earlier this month. It's an updated version of the original Colonia of 1916. Very nice, however like the original version it didn't last very long on my skin at all. Adp Colonia Assoluta lasts forever, and Intensa comes a close second.

 

[alvinnjoinerIV]

any reason to get this over assoluta? i've finished my bottle of assoluta and i can either get another one or this new one.

 

[gswearengin]

any reason to get this over assoluta? i've finished my bottle of assoluta and i can either get another one or this new one.

I think you have to try it and decide for yourself (and let us all know when you do). I respect/appreciate the original AdP, but it is just not for me. But when it works, Assoluta smells like heaven to me. I think I will probably be picking up a bottle, but like you I am intrigued by the Essenza.

It seems like an interesting take on the original...I would say Assoluta was a home run, so perhaps Essenza will be the same? Can't wait 'til the local shop gets this in so I can try it out!

GS