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Acqua di Giò Absolu Giorgio Armani 2018

7.1 / 10 540 Ratings

A perfume by Giorgio Armani for men, released in 2018. The scent is fresh-sweet. It is being marketed by L'Oréal.
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Main accords

Fresh

Sweet

Fruity

Woody

Aquatic

Fragrance Notes

Fruity notes

Marine notes

Woody notes

Guatemala patchouly

Perfumers

Alberto Morillas, DSM-Firmenich

Ratings

Scent

7.1540 Ratings

Longevity

7.2484 Ratings

Sillage

6.9483 Ratings

Bottle

7.7516 Ratings

Value for money

7.1294 Ratings

Submitted by OPomone, last update on 10/16/2025.

Interesting Facts

The face of the advertising campaign is model Jason Morgan, photographed by Matthew Brookes and filmed by François Rousseau.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Invictus Aqua (2016)

Invictus Aqua (2018)

Armaf Niche - Sapphire

Invictus Eau de Toilette

Najdia Eau de Parfum

Hawas for Him

Reviews

22 in-depth fragrance descriptions

06/01/2020

7.5Scent 10Longevity 8Sillage

ScentSlave
246 Reviews

ScentSlave

1

This is another one that gets a bad rep...

... but it doesn’t deserve such a bad rating. Is it original? No, but it’s quite a nice fragrance that performs EXCEPTIONALLY well. Longevity is EASILY over 9hrs. The sillage bubble has about a 2ft radius, so it’s NOT a beast, but it more than makes up for it in longevity. You can still detect the Acqua DNA, but it’s got a few added kicks.

Again, not an “original beast”, but it does “enough” to be a decent scent that’s worthy of at least a look on the fragrance counter at Dillards.

07/18/2024

7.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Golcher
139 Reviews

Golcher

1

it's on the younger side but still works for me

I recall getting a 1.5 sample when it was first released and not liking it one bit. Too sweet for a summer fragrance and too much on the fruity side for my taste so I just carried on.

In 2024 I noticed it was harder and harder to find and I'm a sucker for Discontinued frags so I traced it and got myself a 75ml and I'm glad I did! Yes, it has an Invictus feel to it. Yes, it's way to young for what I usually wear and yes, it's too far from the original DNA but it's still a very nice. It's is sweet but not as sweet as I recall it to be (or perhaps my taste just changed) but it's a playful kind of sweet (the kind that is still wearable in the summer or even some cooler days ) while bringing a marine feel to it. It's nothing like the original ADG but that's fine, in the end it's about it being good and having good performance and this one does smell great and perform real good. ADG Absolu feels closer to the Profondo side of Gio if you ask me.

05/26/2020

7.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Dan81
17 Reviews

Dan81

1

Summer Gio

I like Acqua di Gio Absolu a lot.
Albeit it's not love, but I like it a lot and I don't think this scent should be rated at 6.3. It's been called a flop and what not, but I will stand up and declare my strong like, sorry not love, but a strong like for you.

I used to love the original Gio DNA 20 years ago. I love it so much that I don't mind the mindless flanker creation; what's wrong with it if an amazing scent comes out like Profumo right?
Yes this absolu has similarities to Invictus but I again, so what? Invictus by itself is too synthetic and headache inducing for me. The synthetic fruity components in Gio Absolu are mixed well with the core Acqua di Gio DNA that it "adds" fruits to the masterpiece that gives youthful vibe. Frankly I can't say the same for the newer absolu instinct, which seems even more confused where it needs to stand between absolu and profumo. Point being I think Gio Absolu is a great addition to the line up. I like wearing it as I find it uplifting. It gets compliments fine. My favorite part is to switch over to Profumo. I start off the pool/beach/day time with Gio Absolu, then use Gio Profumo for the evening.

So I will be rocking this not-so-appreciated gem this summer during the day.

07/06/2025

8Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Pawngiorno
11 Reviews

Pawngiorno

1

Great for Winter

A better version of classic Giò, which suits perfectly for cold/cool weather (I think they'll work for summer too, but the types of scent doesn't actually fit that well). It provides a really warm scent, like a hug that you can carry all day long with you without being that type of person who sprayed so much on him he stinks out the place like a Sauvage.

Very nice idea of a bottle, but I'd love if they can change it to something that can stand their ground (like the classic) other than just a bottle with a wooden knob.

06/09/2020

7Scent 7Longevity 5Sillage

Leimbacher
2869 Reviews

Translated · Show original

Leimbacher

Top Review 15

Salty-sandy footprints full of gummy bears

The lovers and "experts" were massively disappointed, the current generation (especially the girls) really likes it - how do I feel about the "Absolu" of the Armani fresh classic?

I think it has hints of a successful facelift. Fruitier, sharper, more modern. From today’s perspective, definitely easy to wear and "sexier" than the original, not quite as "straight" and "pale" (not my words!). Intense and on the cutting edge, but still far from being a cotton candy bomb like some competitors. But the spark doesn’t quite ignite for me either; I would still reach for the Classic time and again... My rating shows: I like the "Absolu", I will keep it (at least this summer) in my collection. It is clean, juicy, combining (slightly piercing-chemical) fruit compote with a cold shower and the typical sea breeze DNA from back then. It’s not one that needs to hide completely; for me, it’s by no means a total failure. Just the appearance smells good - and as mentioned, it’s received wonderfully, women under 30 are all over it. It’s just not for connoisseurs. Far from it. It has a shower gel-like quality, little depth, and strangely diminishes the original in its pure aura. Many more robust tastes and older generations simply can’t handle fruity men’s fragrances. However, I like it somewhere between its father fragrance, "Aqcua Amara" by Bulgari, with a good splash of soda. Light cola/Fanta vibes are already present. Perhaps the understatement of the 90s idol just doesn’t mesh with today’s fruity penetration. For me, it still seems to be a very appealing all-rounder, a polarizing update of an unshakeable classic.

Bottle: simply beautiful and stylish. From the thick glass to the color to the wooden cap - just great!
Sillage: stronger and more pronounced than the original, adjusted to current standards - but not a total screamer!
Longevity: lasts long, the last third/the base is only very subtle - 7 hours.

Conclusion: of course not a classic like the original - but (recently) no longer the most boring offshoot in the lineup. A fruity-shower gel alternative for all young people who find the classic too "outdated" and quiet. I can hardly understand that - but I can’t really grasp the criticism of the "Absolu" either. There were probably always a bit too high expectations at play... From my side: at least a lance broken for it ;-)

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