If you’re an Acqua Di Gio fan, you’re probably wondering whether to go with the original Profumo scent or its deeper, warmer cousin, Profondo. So which one is right for you?
In this blog post, I’ll take a look at both scents and compare them to help you make your decision. By the end, you’ll know exactly which Armani fragrance is right for you.
Acqua Di Gio Profumo
Acqua di Gio Profumo was introduced in 2015, 16 years after the original Acqua di Gio.
Profumo is an aromatic aquatic fragrance that I feel exudes luxury. The scent is presented in a deep, glossy black bottle with silver branding making it look elegant and charming; much like what you’ll find inside.
The perfumer, Alberto Morillas attempted to capture the essence of the original fragrance and put a unique spin on it. And he’s done so beautifully. You definitely get that original Acqua di Gio vibe but with a much more intense character.
Acqua di Gio Profumo opens with sea notes and bergamot; it’s a typical blend for this type of fragrance but one that works well. Next, you’re greeted with an earthy heart of rosemary, sage, and geranium. This keeps the composition simple yet delightful on the nose.
At the base, Acqua Di Gio Profumo is rich and warm with notes of patchouli and incense. There are some that find this to be a little too much and it can be cloying but personally, I like these scents.
Where performance is concerned, Acqua di Gio Profumo does a great job at lasting both on the skin and on clothing. Just a couple of sprays and you’ll be basking in the scent for hours. I’ve seen plenty of feedback from users struggling to remove the smell even after showering.
However, if it’s projection you want, you may be disappointed as Profumo is a delicate scent that is much more intimate. That said, this middling sillage does lend the perfume to be much more versatile as it won’t become too overpowering in summer or struggle to perform in winter. For this reason, it’s a great choice for an everyday fragrance.
I wouldn’t say I’d wear it for an evening event where I wanted to stand out, but for a date night, I’d wear it. There’s a super romantic quality about this fragrance that is graceful, elegant, and luxurious. Think quiet cocktails on a rooftop terrace with a beautiful woman or an intimate meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
My Verdict On Acqua di Gio Profumo
It is an intense, heady fragrance that’s ideal as a signature scent. That said, its strong, unique smell might be too much for some. I’d definitely call this a more mature fragrance. In other words, while it works for a range of occasions, it’s probably not something that any man could wear.
Acqua Di Gio Profondo
Acqua Di Gio Profondo is the second flanker of Acqua Di Gio, and it was made by the same perfumer, Alberto Morillas. Although this one wasn’t launched until 2020. You’ll pay about the same price as Profumo and there are rumors that this will phase out its predecessor. Although there are still plenty of retailers selling Profumo by the bucketload.
Back to Profondo which is an aromatic fougere fragrance that very closely lends itself to being a blue perfume. It comes in a flacon that’s very similar to Acqua di Gio Profumo but instead of being black, is a deep royal blue.
The composition of Acqua di Gio Profondo is much more complex with a wider array of notes at each layer than Profumo. It begins with sea notes and bergamot like its older brother but here you’ll also get aquozone and mandarin so it’s a lot fruitier and fresher.
At the heart, Acqua Di Gio Profondo only features rosemary from the original composition which is now accompanied by cypress, lavender, and mystique. It’s earthy, woody, and almost feels raw to me.
As Profondo dries down a base of mineral notes, musk, patchouli, and amber comes through. This gives it a slightly sweeter quality than Profumo.
However, despite this vastly different blend of notes, Profondo feels a lot more toned down. I’d say this was because of the lack of incense which makes the dry down of Profumo much more intense. Due to this, I believe Acqua Di Gio Profondo is a fragrance suitable for men of all ages rather than being an old-school classic men’s fragrance.
Aside from this versatility, Acqua Di Gio Profondo is a far less versatile fragrance than Profumo. It would definitely struggle to perform in colder weather so should be worn as a summer fragrance. Moreover, it’s just not loud enough for evening wear but as a daytime fragrance, it’ll serve you well.
It performs just as well as Profumo in terms of longevity and just a couple of sprays will see you through the day. But much like Profumo, Profondo isn’t the heaviest projecting cologne and it isn’t going to draw masses of attention from afar.
My Verdict On Acqua Di Gio Profondo
One of the main reasons that I would choose Acqua di Gio Profondo would be for its fresh, uplifting personality. If you want something that isn’t intense and is incredibly easy to wear, this might be just what you’re looking for.
However, it’s also a pretty surprising fragrance which can be disappointing if you were expecting a truly aromatic or aquatic scent. The composition makes this feel much more blue than I personally anticipated.
The Winner Of Acqua Di Gio Profumo Vs. Profondo
There’s a lot to like about both of these perfumes and either will earn you a lot of compliments, especially when people get close to you. However, I have to admit that the opening of Profumo just does that little bit more for me. It’s simple and gives you that fresh, oceanic start you’d want from an aquatic fragrance.
In terms of performance, there’s no clear winner between Profumo and Profondo. They both wear very well on the skin and on clothing but neither projects exceptionally well. If you are looking for an intimate fragrance then they’ll both please you equally.
When I wear Profumo, I feel powerful, but not aggressive; think of a strong, sensual man like Christain Grey. Someone luxurious and demanding. On the other hand, with Profondo I feel a little more playful and youthful. It’s certainly easier to wear and for this reason, I lean a little more towards it.
Out of the two fragrances, Profumo is by far the more superior where versatility is concerned. It’s much more suited to a range of occasions and can easily be worn at any time of the year. Profondo’s only advantage in this is that it can be worn by men of various ages.
This also puts Profondo ahead in terms of timelessness since the fragrance will continue to appeal to men whether they’re just getting into cologne or are a seasoned perfume veteran. It also has a blue vibe which is hugely popular and will remain so for as long as fragrance is around.
In terms of smell, I’m personally quite drawn to the rich and mature scent Acqua di Gio Profumo. However, that’s as far as it goes and if I am to objectively pick a winner, I think that it would have to be Profondo. It’s easier to wear, less offensive on the nose, and performs really well.
Plus, Acqua di Gio Profondo is a classic scent that will remain forever popular yet isn’t so common that you’ll smell like everyone else on the street.
