Acqua Di Gio Essenza

Acqua Di Gio Essenza, inspired by Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Essenza (2012)

Grapefruit and bergamot set a clean, tangy start, with cascalone, a modern marine molecule, adding a salty, watery tone. In the middle, Paradisone (a transparent, jasmine-like material) joins true jasmine, basil and sage, so the heart reads green and herbal. The base is where it parts company with the original: vetiver, patchouli and cedar backed by ambrox and ambergris, which give a mineral, skin-like warmth. Pepper keeps that depth from becoming heavy.

About the original

Alberto Morillas, who also composed the original men's Acqua di Giò, created Essenza in 2012. Armani introduced it as an intense reinterpretation of the 1996 classic, with more woody and ambery depth than the marine Eau de Toilette. Armani sold it in 40, 75 and 170 ml sizes. Armani's current Acqua di Giò range lists only the EDT, EDP, Parfum, Profondo and Elixir, and fragrance references report Essenza as discontinued.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Giorgio Armani stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

It suits men who find the standard Acqua di Giò too thin or too familiar and want more wood and amber beneath it. Anyone after the purely marine freshness of the Eau de Toilette may find the vetiver and patchouli base heavier than expected.

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Cascalone, Bergamot, Grapefruit

Heart notes: Paradisone, Jasmine, Basil, Sage

Base notes: Patchouli, Cedar, Vetiver, Ambrox, Ambergris, Pepper, Clary Sage

The opening pairs grapefruit and bergamot with the marine tone of cascalone.

The heart is jasmine and Paradisone over basil and sage, aromatic and green.

In the drydown, vetiver, patchouli and cedar meet ambrox, ambergris, pepper and clary sage.

How does Essenza differ from the original Acqua di Giò?

It keeps the citrus and marine idea but adds a heavier base of vetiver, patchouli and ambergris, so it is woodier and more ambery.

Is Acqua di Giò Essenza discontinued?

It no longer appears in Armani's Acqua di Giò range, and it is widely recorded as discontinued.

Is this the same as Acqua di Gioia Essenza?

No. Acqua di Gioia Essenza is a sweeter women's fragrance from 2011, which we also make.

Is Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Essenza coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Giorgio Armani that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Giorgio Armani and Acqua di Gio Essenza are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Giorgio Armani in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.