Acqua di Gio vs Creed Aventus Comparison

In this head to head match up, we have two popular colognes, at differing price points: Acqua di Gio vs. Creed Aventus. Which one of these best-selling fragrances is the better buy? Which lasts longer? Armani or Creed? Which smells best overall? As usual, I will compare and contrast these scents in multiple categories, and then declare a winner.

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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 

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Creed Aventus

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to try Aventus: Creed Aventus Creed 4 OZ Millesime Spray For Men

My original Review: Creed Aventus

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Opening

Aventus opens up very sharp and dry to my nose. The black currant and pineapple notes, seem to be the cause of this, and with the wood notes (birch) it all becomes too much. I really don’t enjoy how Aventus opens, but it does get better.

It’s opening was always bothersome to me. Not terrible, mind you, just super fresh, dry, and that pineapple/black currant combo is a lot to deal with.

Acqua di Gio starts off with tangerine and bergamot leading the way. Then, there is the sea breeze accord, and a little later the emergence of jasmine. It is really fresh and clean and a nice example of an aquatic fragrance.

I do enjoy the citrus, sea breeze freshness, the spice, and the jasmine peaking through. It’s got to be my favorite part about the Armani cologne.

Which is better? I prefer how AdG starts off versus Aventus. That’s not a huge deal, but from the start, the Armani has the edge.

Edge: AdG

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Projection

Acqua di Gio is safely in the moderate sillage camp. It is strong enough to be noticed throughout the wear, but never goes insane with the projection, with a normal amount of sprays. It’s also lost a step, over the years.

Aventus, is stronger, in this regard. It’s not a beast, but it is a strong fragrance, and I don’t need many sprays for it to be powerful.

Edge: Aventus

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Longevity

With Aventus, I usually get 8-9 hours of wear, on my skin. When it is hot outside, that may drop down to 6. However, it still has better performance than does AdG.

Acqua di Gio gives a consistent 6-7 hours of wear each time. Update: Sometimes with newer bottles of AdG it might only be 5-6.  The Creed takes this category, pretty handily nowadays.

Edge: Aventus

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Versatility

Both of these fragrances are versatile fragrances. Acqua di Gio is a good wear for any season, it fits best in spring/summer, but can hold up in any time.

Creed Aventus is sort of like that, but it’s really not that great in the summertime. In the heat, it doesn’t last as long, nor smell as good.

Aventus is the more mature scent of the two. You can wear both to work, but AdG is better for a guy in school. In a formal situation, Aventus, and it’s better for evening wear. They both cover a lot of bases, have their weaknesses, but are pretty even here.

At the high end, Aventus. But, Acqua di Gio is hyper versatile.

Edge: Push

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Overall Scent

Which smells better? OK, I do think that the full wear of Aventus is better. As it dries down, it becomes less sharp, and more woodsy with a certain smokiness to the whole things. Then, there is the sweet touch from both vanilla and the remaining fruit notes.

It really is a great scent, can it be overhyped? Sure, but it does get well deserved praise.

However, Acqua di Gio is no slouch. After 20+ years, it is still legendary, and a great choice for an everyday wear. Does is smell as good as Aventus? Not really, BUT, the price point can make a huge difference in which to buy.

A bottle of Acqua di Gio might be 1/3 of a bottle of Aventus, depending on where you buy it. So, the question for a lot of people will be, is it worth that much more?

Personally, I’d probably grab a bottle of AdG, and a few other fragrances for the same cost as Aventus. Actually, it’d be AdG Profumo, and other scents.

You can also try a cheaper perfume similar to Creed Aventus, also.

That’s just me. Some folks really love Creed Aventus and will gladly pay for that one scent, versus a lineup, for all climates and occasions. Aventus is the better fragrance, but in terms of cost, is it that much better?

Winner: Aventus