Acqua di Gio Profondo vs. Sauvage EDT

Dior Sauvage has in many ways become as popular as the original Acqua di Gio was back in the late 90s and early 00s. Yes, both are best sellers to this day, but Sauvage is absolutely everywhere just like AdG used to be. Armani has kept the name alive with a series of flanker fragrances, including the great Acqua di Gio Profondo. How does it stack up against Sauvage? Which smells better? Lasts longer?

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Tale of the Tape: Profondo vs. Sauvage EDT

Acqua di Gio Profondo

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, lavender, marine notes, rosemary, cypress, lentisk, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue

Read my Review: AdG Profondo

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Sauvage EDT

Notes include: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Sichuan Pepper, lavender, pink pepper, and more

Click here to try: Sauvage by Chrisitan Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Sauvage EDT Review

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Opening

Acqua di Gio Profondo starts off with its citrus notes in the lead, bergamot and mandarin orange. The bergamot is the more dominant of the two ingredients. It’s a good deal amount like the original AdG. However, it doesn’t have the same floral focus, is more marine, and has a resinous quality.

It’s not too salty of a marine accord, rather it gives an aquatic impression, versus being a oceanic  scent.

Sauvage also starts off with a bergamot note. This one is much more intense than Profondo. This is joined mainly by the Sichuan pepper, as well as, pink pepper. It is bold and spicy up top. Later, it will be calmed down by lavender and the ever-present ambroxan.

Which is better? I definitely prefer Profondo’s opening act when compared to Sauvage. I find it to be much more enjoyable and well put together.

Edge: Profondo

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Projection

Sauvage definitely starts off strong and does a great job at maintaining its sillage, throughout the wear.

Obviously, that’s going to fade with the passage of time. But, it has always been a slower burn with this Dior compared to a lot of other designer colognes.

Profondo isn’t weak, but it never matches the heights that Sauvage does. It starts off fairly strong and can project well, but it will settle into a more moderate scent. In between the original AdG and Profumo, with its strength.

Edge: Sauvage

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Longevity

For me, neither of these fragrances can crack double digits in terms of hours on my skin. Profondo will go 7-8 before evaporating. Sauvage EDT will go 7-9.

So, in most cases their even. Though, Sauvage does seem to have an extra hour or so in it from time to time.

I do have to note that some people do get more performance out of Sauvage than I do. I’ve seen other reviews give it 10+ hours of wear. Haven’t really seen the same for Profondo.

Edge: Sauvage

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Versatility

They are both very versatile fragrance. Profondo is better suited for wear in spring and summer. As is Sauvage. Sauvage seems more natural in colder weather than the more aquatic Profondo. However, Profondo can stand up better in the higher temperatures.

Neither is a formal wear fragrance. I really don’t see much divergence between them, in this category.

Edge: Push

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Overall Scent

Sauvage EDT has become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, fragrances for men in the world since its release (update: it’s now the best selling in the world for men or women’s perfume).

I do like aspects of it. Though, the more time that I spent wearing it, the less enthralled I was at wearing it. Plus, every men’s cologne release seems to want to copy some part of the Sauvage formula, which gets repetitive.

Frankly, I don’t even enjoy it when I’ve tried it recently. It’s still good, but it was never a great scent. The citrus is great, as is the lavender note.

Though, the ambroxan gets on my nerves. It performs well enough, but has been surpassed by the other Sauvage releases. Namely, EDP and Elixir. Plus, there are plenty of perfumes like Dior Sauvage, due to its immense popularity.

Profondo has quickly become one of my favorite ‘blue’ fragrances. It strikes me as being a better version of the original, but not as dark/smoky as Profumo is.

From start to finish, I think that it smells better than Sauvage does. It’s a step behind with its performance, but not enough to tip the scales.

It’s a great summer wear, that actually thrives when the temperature and humidity rises. I really cannot think of a situation in which I would reach for Sauvage EDT over Profondo. Maybe something based on the time of year, but even then, I’d want something else.

Winner: Profondo