World Best Perfumes

Eau De Cologne

Manufacturer: Acqua di Parma Colonia

Available at:
www.fragranceglobe.com
www.perfumesglobe.com
www.perfumes4all.com

Available Sizes: o.8 oz, 0.17 oz (travel pack), 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz,

Price Range: $25 – $150

Introduced in the year 2000, Alegria cologne has a sharp aquatic aroma for men. Its ingredients include ginger, amber, mandarin, calone, galbanum, green grass and yuzu with amber and musk base. The name Algeria means joy and that’s what this cologne does. Its a cheerful, optimistic and a joyful fragrance.

Over 90 years old, Acqua di Parma’s Colonia (no doubt tweaked over the decades) still smells ‘modern’ and its packaging designs are both decorous (black-and-white labels with simple lettering and the royal coat of arms of Parma, Italy) and lively (easy-to-spot, bright golden-yellow boxes and wrappings). These days, Acqua di Parma touts its rich and famous clientele — royalty, film stars and ‘aristocrats’ of the business world — but such name-dropping is unexpected from a company that once prided itself on its elegance and discretion. (LVMH bought the Acqua di Parma company in 2003.)

Acqua di Parma Colonia contains Sicilian citrus, lavender, rosemary, verbena, Bulgarian rose, sandalwood, vetiver, cedar and ylang-ylang; it starts off sharp with pungent citrus and verbena. The brash citrusy opening gives way quickly to lavender and rosemary. Colonia’s initial stages are fresh and astringent, but the cologne also possesses depth — this is not a lightweight citrus fragrance.

Rarely does a smell make me think of a color, but the opening notes of Colonia do bring to mind the “gold” of its packaging; when I spray on Colonia, I think of bright sunshine on a brisk summer morning. As Colonia develops, it softens, becomes silky and warm and its golden aura pinkens as a powdery rose note emerges. Rose and an iris-like accord come to the fore in Colonia’s mid-development and the satiny middle notes smell like expensive talcum powder (powder-haters, you’ve been warned). I like powdery scents so Colonia’s powdery stage is a welcome contrast to its sparkly-sharp opening notes.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne is available for $12-$35 at perfumesglobe.com.