Ranking the Acqua di Gio Fragrances

Acqua di Gio now has around a quarter century worth of history and sales. It is one of the most successful men’s fragrance releases in history. That initial EDT release is a classic, but is it the best of the bunch? What is the best AdG fragrance for men?

Here is my list, which I will update periodically as newer releases come to market from Armani.

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What are the Best Smelling Acqua di Gio Colognes?

The Best Overall

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profumo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray, 2.5 Fl Oz– Profumo still takes the top spot in my book.

The usual citrus is still there, with dark mineral and marine notes, and sage/incense. The smokiness and spiciness here is pretty awesome. Profumo just has more depth than the others and I think that it smells slightly better than Profondo.

I enjoy its metallic-like finish and the performance is still very solid (even if I think newer bottles don’t have the same staying power, as the initial batches). AdG Profumo Review

Update: The newer Parfum is basically a slightly reworked version of Profumo with a new bottle. So, you can get that instead of paying through the nose for old bottles of this cologne.

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A Very Close Second

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue– Profondo nearly took the crown from Profumo, but is just a notch below. I still do love wearing this cologne and will probably buy a full bottle for myself.

Profondo is a blue-ish type of cologne (more blue-green to my nose). It doesn’t have the same smokiness and darker qualities of Profumo and is less floral than the original. Profondo has a deep woody character, with a smooth somewhat resinous finish.

To me, the aquatic elements here aren’t salt water. More like the impression of fresh water. I like this the best on the hottest days of the year. Great release. AdG Profondo Review

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The Discontinued Gem

ACQUA DI GIO ESSENZA BY GIORGIO ARMANI FOR MEN 2.5oz EDP Spray– With Essenza, I’m going off of my memory of what it smells like. It has been discontinued for quite a while now and bottles are selling for hundreds of dollars.

Note: The Dua Brand has their ‘inspired by’ version of this edition. Makes a lot more sense to get that versus trying to track down an old bottle.

To me, this is the third best AdG scent. It may be recency bias and if I had a bottle, it could move up the list. Either way, unless you’re already a fan, you probably won’t be getting this one.

It was very much like the original EDT release, but greener, and with a great dose of basil. Which as a note, can be absolutely amazing when used well. Really a fragrance that did everything well and can be worn pretty much whenever.

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Instinct

AdG Absolu Instinct– This one is actually discontinued, but I bought a sample recently, and it’s actually a really good edition from this line. Absolu is further down the list, but Absolu Instinct, grabs this spot as an under the radar gem.

I actually saw this on sale right before Armani discontinued it, but didn’t grab a bottle for myself. Maybe a mistake, because I quite like it.

Again: Dua’s Water Primal Essence is also an option, as a replacement.

It doesn’t have the same level of a resinous smell that Absolu has, features a well executed seaweed note, and probably shares the most overlap otherwise with Profumo.

Woodier with a marine profile that is kept in check by the amber wood and citrus. A spicy opening act to go along with the citrus and oceanic influences. Somewhat salty, but has a sweetness that Absolu lacks.

Absolu Instinct won’t be for everybody, but could end up as the favorite of the bunch for some percentage of people.

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Profondo Parfum

Acqua di Gio Profondo Parfum– It’s better than Profondo Lights, certainly. Though, I still like the EDP more than this one overall.

While Profondo Parfum is likeable, I’m not sure what the point of it is. It’s somewhat different from the EDP, but not too much. It’s more of the oceanic aroma, some added mimosa, and less of the fresh wood of the original.

Still, this is fresh and smells great while I have it on. The resinous smell from the labdanum is warm and inviting during the dry down.

If it’s the same price as EDP, I might give this one a go. However, the current difference in price at retail, is a bit too great for me to want to buy a bottle for myself.

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Eau de Parfum

Acqua di Gio EDP–  The Eau de Parfum version is a new release for 2022 and thus far I have been enjoying it. It doesn’t do too much that’s new, but it has a lot of overlap with others in the series, making it quite good all around.

It opens up with its green mandarin and sea notes. Actually smells pretty close to Profondo and Profondo Lights, minus the potent cardamom of the latter. Quite bright and upbeat. Early on, it’s like the Profondos and the original AdG.

Then, it will shift to smelling more like Profumo, accept less dense and smoky. Patchouli, sage, and geranium will chip away at the mandarin’s citrus dominance.

It’s maybe a notch below the other two current releases, overall. Maybe a notch above the original based on performance. The aroma? I might still lean the EDT, but it’s close. Acqua di Gio EDP Review

Update: I finished my bottle of Eau de Parfum. I became less enamored with it, as time wore on. It’s fine. As I say below, I’d probably switch this with the original, if that one still had any staying power.

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The Original

Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces – The original EDT takes the 4th spot on the list. I received a sample of this, when I recently bought a bottle of Profumo, and it was still very enjoyable.

It doesn’t have the same strength or longevity, as it once did. Though, the fresh citrus and floral notes really come through for that classic Armani experience. Nowadays, does it really have a place?

Maybe. For me, only at a big discount, and I might still go with Just Me by Paris Hilton. I like it, but it has been surpassed. If it had the same performance of old, I’d probably have it higher on the list. At least above EDP. I think that one provides more value, though. AdG Review

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Interesting, but Not the Best

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Absolu Eau De Parfum Spray, 2.5 Fl Oz, Beige– The last that I saw of Absolu, it was being heavily discounted by retailers. I guess it never caught on with the public, much the same case with me.

It really isn’t a bad fragrance, just there are now four better releases in the Acqua di Gio line. The more time I spent with it, though, the less I liked it. This is probably the most unique of the bunch and actually quite similar to Invictus Aqua, but better than that.

It’s a resinous and woody aquatic with pear and apple. Really an amber-like aroma that permeates much of the wear. You do get good performance with this, again, it’s just not nearly as good as the others. AdG Absolu Review

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My Least Favorite

Profondo Lights– This has now been discontinued, but I never got into it. Yes, while it shares a ton of overlap with Profondo, I never saw the point of this flanker either. It’s worse than both of the other Profondos. So, it’s getting the last spot here.

I do enjoy cardamom, as a note. Here, I don’t enjoy it, within the confines of the rest of the Profondo composition. And since that didn’t improve the formula, what’s the point of owning this?

There wasn’t one for me. I’m sure there are still bottles floating around out there, if you personally want to try Lights out. Profondo Lights review