Acqua di Gio vs Absolu Cologne Comparison

For this entry into the men’s fragrance comparisons, I want to do one between the always popular, Acqua di Gio vs. Acqua di Gio Absolu. Absolu is one of its more recent flanker colognes, released by Giorgio Armani. However, does the newer scent, outdo the original? Or does it pale in comparison? Which smells best? Lasts longer? Is the better option?

Tale of the Tape

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Acqua di Gio Absolu

Notes include: patchouli, marine notes, labdanum, tonka bean, wood, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, apple, pear

Click here to try: Acqua di Giò Absolu Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 fl oz Men

Read my full review here: Acqua di Gio Absolu

Opening

Acqua di Gio opens up with that now classic tangerine and bergamot pairing, to go along with a sea breeze note, and late jasmine undertones. Clean and fresh aquatic with enough energy to play off of the citrus notes.

Absolu puts together grapefruit and bergamot, as the citrus notes here. It of course has a strong marine note, but also includes apple, and a very noticeable tonka bean. All of this on top of a woody base.

Which is better? While Absolu gets credit for being more complex and interesting, I don’t think that it smells better than the original, at the start. It’s very nice, but the simplicity of AdG, has a lot of appeal.

Edge: AdG

Projection

In terms of sillage, both of the scents end up as the same kind of moderate projecting fragrance. However, for the first two hours of the wear, Absolu feels stronger to me. It’s not a big difference, but was noticeable.

Edge: Absolu

Longevity

The original Acqua di Gio, seems to always give me the same consistent 6-7 hours of wear, before it evaporates. Absolu? It gets me to the 8 hour mark, which isn’t dramatically better, but is a notch above.

Edge: Absolu

Versatility

These colognes obviously are going to share a lot of overlap. When they should be worn is definitely, one of those shared areas. Each is mostly a spring/summer wear, that can be worn year round, if need be. They can fit in a wide variety of situations and are attractive enough to be worn on dates, for younger guys. No real advantage here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Absolu is a nice fragrance. I like the citrus and marine notes, that mimic the original, but the addition of amber, wood, and tonka bean give it a sweeter and earthier profile. It also has slightly better performance than the original.

However, I still prefer the overall smell of Acqua di Gio versus Absolu. Yes, I’ve smelled it a million times, but it’s just a better wear for me. The blend of citrus notes and floral, sitting in an aquatic environment, is still great over 20 years later.

AdG Profumo, is actually the best of these Armani colognes, in my opinion. Second, is the original, and that’s not much better than Absolu. It is a little bit better, though. Absolu is still a solid wear and worthy of consideration, it gets compared to Invictus Aqua, but gets the nod versus that one.

Winner: Acqua di Gio

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.