Colonia Oud

Colonia Intensa Oud

Acqua di Parma 2012 Eau de Cologne Concentrée

I can't describe in words how beautiful this scent is. For me personally, this scent is associated with those carefree times when there was no Covid, no war, when you could go on vacation to any country. This fragrance is associated specifically with the city of Barcelona, ​​Spain, because when I went there with my parents, my father bought Aqua di Parma in a company store for a lot of money. This is the aroma of celebration, joy without time and bullfighting. Sweet, but not cloying, seasoned with a hint of vigor and sourness. If I could give it a 10, I would.

Well, nothing more and nothing less than one may expect from an “oud” take on Acqua di Parma Colonia. A wannabe-posh, soapy, sheer, very smooth (and very synthetic) sort of citrus-floral-musk blend infused with a dark, rubbery, bitter yet overall quite tamed down and exceedingly artificial woody accord of oud and birch, becoming drier and muskier as hours pass. I must say that somehow, the initial “fizzy-soapy” frame which comprises the oud accord works, and makes Colonia Oud smell as a fairly pleasant sort of “bright oud” with a laundry vibe. There’s a tangy sort of citrus-geranium accord which fits in surprisingly well. Given the bitter rubbery dirtiness of the synthetic oud note, it creates quite a pleasant play of contrasts – which will eventually fade away and leave the stage mostly to rubber and synthetic woods, but until it’s there, it’s nice. Still though, even considering that, it’s all really too cheap and ultimately uninspired to sparkle some interest. The “Colonia” side is just as flat and artificial as in the Intensa version (I’m still wondering how the Colonia line can comprise gems like the Assoluta next to utter garbage like the Intensa), and the oud accord is for me nothing different from any drugstore oud accord you can find anywhere these days. The price and the “luxury” packaging would let you think we’re in the same ballpark of something like, say, Dior Leather Oud, but truth is, we’re more close to Ferrari Oud, or Versace Oud, a Montale imitation dupe or whatever other lower-key designer ouds. Just a matter of quality: flat, synthetic, as much generically refined as completely “muted”. Nothing against that class of scents by the way, but there’s a reason if they cost three or four times less than this.

Not sure why (or well, reading what I just wrote until now, I can see why actually), but at the very first sniff my mind just came out with a spontaneous association – “what an airport fragrance this is”. Out of the blue, I just imagined a mid-level manager waiting for his plane. Not a wealthy businessman snorting fine complimentary cocaine in some vip lounge, just some ordinary businessman playing with an empty cracked bottle of water, boring the hell out of himself, probably needing a shower after a two hours taxi ride to the airport. Think of focusing your nose on some details – the citrus musky cologne he wore before leaving the motel now mixing with sweat, the cheap smell of his ready-to-wear laundered suit, the rubbery smell of his trolley bag and of the airport seats, the overall sense of suspended, depressing boredom which fills such “non-places” like airports. That’s the mood of Acqua di Parma Oud, basically somehow a sort of slightly more pretentious “office scent” with a professional look (not refined, not sophisticated, just “professional”) and a subtle dirtier vein. And by that I don’t mean something “sexy” , just literally dirty, sweaty and rubbery. It’s all filled with a nondescript, quite deep feeling of restrained, unemotional “nothingness”. And well, it smells a bit more cheap than it should anyway. Not blatantly cheap and not completely tragic, but definitely unworthy the price tag. Kind of similar to Indonesian Oud by Zegna (and just as much dull as that).

5,5-6/10

Well, it's not exactly what i expected it to be, since I imagined it would be a interpretation of their classic fragrance with a touch of oud. But, it's not bad at all, in fact i think that it's interesting in the way that it sounds familiar but it seems to have its own identity. The familiar part is due the Oud note, which i guess that for some is a pleasure and for others has already gone too far. It doesn't seem to be for me a nargamotha oud, but more a musky, slightly dirty one. I like that they opted for note going for the usual rose and saffron combination and instead put it on a leather context - this smells like rough leather scented with incense and tonka. I know that they don't list it but i get a noticeable almondy feel rounding the oud and leather that seems typical from this note. Also, there seems to be a very shy use of a minty incense thing that i find very good. And, the citrus and coriander seems to make the link with the classic colognes, you just take some moments to notice that the oud has mingled with them enhancing their sharp, medicinal side. I found it a very interesting fragrance, more balanced than i expected.

This is my favorite oud scent. When you think of oud automaticly you think of the Gulf-states, arabian knights etc etc.
I always found it disrespect when a new fragrance comes out & has “Oud” marked on the bottle (as a marketing campagne).
Well...i can assure you that Acqua Di Parma Oud is my nr 1 (wearable) Oud fragrance & the best west impression on Oud.
This is a very deep penetrating rich sensuel warm scent, it reflects strength, courage, fine luxury, deep wood impression.

My nr 1 Oud for every occasion ! Worth every penny!!

When I was new to perfume, I went to a local boutique to begin the education of my nose. The clerk had me sniff this one and I was a goner. He didn't need to make a sales pitch, I was already buying half the store (L'Artisan mostly), but he said for some reason women often bought it for their husbands. I bought it for mine. I probably wouldn't today because my nose is smarter now, but I still admire this cross between a wild animal and a perfume. To say it's intense is an understatement. It doesn't easily wash off, for one. Synthetics in the top note fade to allow this really carnal smell full reign. I love ColinM's disdainful second paragraph in his review but nevertheless women do buy this for their husbands for a reason.