Acqua di Parma Roundup

Three of them barely make a good one, so here's a three-six in a row.

***

Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta by Acqua di Parma

Year: 2003
Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour, Jean-Claude Ellena

Nice, pleasant, invigorating citrus and bergamot opening on mellow aromatic woods – sandal and cedar, I guess. A talcum, powdery, musky heart of flower petals, a solid but very subtle base of patchouli, vanillin and (synthetic) oak moss, which gets more and more earthy while the first more volatile notes vanish. So basically nothing new, but still decently executed. I also detect the peculiar, piquant-fruity note of pepper and pimiento. What you get after a while is a persistent, sweet, gentle musky drydown with just a tiny hint of dusty earthy notes and a vague feel of powdery white flowers. Bit boring after a while. Frankly the start is better than the evolution, but it's indeed a clear, laid-back, cozy, (overpriced) modern eau de cologne.

6/10

***

Acqua Di Parma Magnolia Nobile by Acqua di Parma

Year: 2011
Nose: Antoine Maisondieu

A simple and bright accord of citrus, white flowers and aromatic woods, with a talcum/soapy feel and a sweet musky base (I don't want to sound repetitive and use that "sweet soft musky shampoo base" aromachemical name again...). It gets slightly mentholated after a while. Pale and suave like a Victorian girl. The floral notes are there, but they are developed in a way I do not enjoy much - somehow plain, restrained and innocuous. It's like watching a photoshooting on a travels' magazine: still good, but you crave for "the real feel". Clean and pleasant, but to me, a bit dull.

6/10

***

Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto di Calabria by Acqua di Parma

Year: 2010

Nose: Unknown

Pleasant, powerful opening, not much deep neither rich (we're in quite a chemical realm here, forget the "Bergamot of Calabria" – more "Autan insecticide" - maybe purchased in Calabria, that's fine). Classic summer cologne base of delicate flowers, ginger, aromatic woods. After a while you get the vetiver note better. Mellow soft musky feel. Must say it is barely pleasant, and plus, it "tones down" in a matter of minutes, becoming a subtle, close-to-skin floral/talcum scent with fresh notes and a slight aromatic vetiver feel. Basically a decent, super safe and quite elegant "eau de cologne" like plenty of others. Strictly for "parvenus". Short persistence.

6/10