![]() ![]() There are traces of Colonia's finish in later fragrances like Paco Rabanne Pour Homme (1973) and Clinique Chemistry (1994), as the dry down of Colonia is very similarly clean minus the fougère accord. From there, sandalwood, vetiver, and a peck of oakmoss finish Colonia. The bouquet quickly moves through dry lavender, rose, verbena, and a smidgen of a soapy orris note before the woods and musk show up. Bergamot, lemon, orange blossom, and rosemary all come out upon application. Colonia is an eau de cologne as the name suggests, but tugs the traditional neroli, citrus, and herbs style into a woodsier and muskier direction that behooved men's style at that time. The unknown perfumer behind the scent created it on behalf of Baron Carlo Magnani, who funded and ultimately fascilitated launching the brand after visiting London and France. Many will say the original of any line is the best but in this case, the original is just the original. Very rarely does a men's fragrance transcend to become unisex in time (although it happens to feminine fragrances semi-regularly), such has been the appeal of Colonia throughout the years. Everyone from Cary Grant to Audrey Hepburn was nuts for Colonia, and many permutations have arrived in the century plus timeframe since introduction. Created as something to scent men's handkerchiefs in 1916, this stuff was made in a little factory in Parma for years until worldwide distribution came when the house of Acqua di Parma was formed from the success of Colonia. This is the stuff most Creed perfumes wish they were in regards to pedigree and prestige, as the documented number of celebrities who adored it in both the pre and post WWII period is rather large. Wonderful grooming products as well, especially the aftershave which I think is among some of the best on offer.Īcqua di Parma Colonia (1916) is a scent often discussed in the online fragrance community and one steeped in history. The whole cologne vibe is grounded with sturdy base notes of vetiver, patchouli and sandalwood–all stalwarts of traditional masculine perfumery–which not only give Colonia greater depth and greater lasting power but balance the rosy, lipstick note making the whole thing entirely unisex and surprisingly sexy, come to that. However, in this case it is so well done that it is actually perfection. This pushes it dangerously close to the overly floral, lipstick territory from which I tend to run. ![]() Colonia, however, ramps up the floral aspect of cologne with a strong damask rose in its heart notes. In that regard it sits nicely among other great classics like Guerlain's Eaux, 4711, etc. Beautiful packaging! What about the scent itself? Well, it is a classic cologne with its citrus and lavender construct. The Grant/Gardner/Niven mystique never fails to entice and the brand has been developed in an extraordinarily smart and successful way. Acqua di Parma's Colonia has been a favorite of mine for years during which time it went from being a well-kept Italian secret to becoming a global phenomenon with multiple lines and flankers. ![]()
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