Italian Bergamot (Eau de Toilette) by Ermenegildo Zegna

See Prices

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Essenze

Italian Bergamot Ermenegildo Zegna 2012 Eau de Toilette

7.4 / 10 57 Ratings

A perfume by Ermenegildo Zegna for men, released in 2012. The scent is citrusy-fresh. It was last marketed by Estēe Lauder Companies.
Compare

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Citrus

Fresh

Green

Spicy

Woody

Fragrance Notes

Bergamot

Neroli

Vetiver

Rosemary

Perfumer

Pierre Negrin

Ratings

Scent

7.457 Ratings

Longevity

5.850 Ratings

Sillage

5.350 Ratings

Bottle

7.754 Ratings

Submitted by Kankuro · last update on 02/02/2026.

Source-backed & verified

Interesting Facts

The fragrance was part of the collection Essenze.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Acqua di Bergamotto

Italian Bergamot Eau de Parfum

Reviews

4 in-depth fragrance descriptions

07/03/2018

6Scent 4Longevity 2Sillage

Meggi
1018 Reviews

Translated · Show original

Meggi

Top Review 23

SHIFT.RANGE

Anyone who works a lot with Excel occasionally encounters amusing formula names in the breathtaking possibilities of this program. SHIFT.RANGE is one such name, as it doesn't actually shift anything; it merely refers to a range of cells depending on a position.

But first, let's talk about the scent: restrained freshness, anything but a citrus blast. Quite a bit of green. Along with that, there's essential oil, as if a drop of eucalyptus or Japanese mint oil is involved. I think that is the source of the "clarity" diagnosed in the opening comment of Italian Bergamot. It also has some closeness to the oily aspect of citrus fruit peel.

The restraint is, of course, not inherently a flaw; it may stem from the effort to not shoot all the powder at once, but rather to offer a certain continuity. Let's see…

Additionally, I smell wood. I can't pinpoint vetiver here; I suspect cedar. Soon, a bit of a green-spicy note develops in the background, a freshness extender from the herb corner, which unfolds a slightly soapy quality as it progresses. I seem to detect zest in play again. That’s the key: the bergamot has shrunk to mere zest after half an hour. Only a hint of sugary sweetness, which carries a latent candy-like twist, masks this fact for a little while longer. Rosemary is fine by me, but it's far less spicy than green. Well, actually, it has nothing to do with spice.

After about two hours, the scent has become a practically sillage-free, minimally sour green note with a softly soapy-creamy-foamy touch that darkens slightly throughout the day (and reveals a scoop of chemistry). Vetiver can now be better sensed if desired. I am reminded of TDC's "Limon de Cordoza" in this regard. The latter, however, took the path of a gradual substitution of citrus peel with vetiver more consistently - which, despite its comparably pitiful projection to Zegna, grants it a small originality bonus.

Conclusion: The entire RANGE of Italian Bergamot would need to be SHIFTED up quite a bit on the volume/durability scale. The behavior presented here is disappointing.

01/06/2017

7Scent 3Longevity 3Sillage

Leimbacher
2877 Reviews

Translated · Show original

Leimbacher

Very helpful Review 5

Bergamot Gets Dressed Up

Is dull the new cool? Should weak performance be taken into account? Are we influenced by many similar scents? Or by the high price? Or even the beautiful bottle? Questions upon questions in my mind about "Italian Bergamot" - some old, some new, some unnecessary, some important.

But while I have to clarify these for myself and you can form your own opinion based on comments and ratings, one thing is clear: the scent is one of the best bergamots on the market. A delight for summer, vacation, shirts, sunshine, men, after showering, women, sports & any form of heat wave.

However, just as much as I am impressed by the scent in its first 30 minutes, it leaves me hanging afterwards. It’s a monosyllabic refresher - noble, delicious, sparkling. But nothing more. Cool bergamot, tingling neroli, gentle citrus musk - and there you have it, the lemon cake. And to be honest, you can get something just as good for much cheaper. See Atelier Cologne or Annick Goutal. Admittedly, also more expensive. A Tom Ford ;). But for those with a thick wallet who don’t mind reapplying, this is a luxurious alternative. And if you have the heavy clubbing bottle permanently in your bag, you’ll definitely have a weapon against nasty gropers at the train station next New Year’s Eve ;). It’s just a vicious circle because someone who smells this good will likely attract even more attention... oh, let’s leave that. Too dark a humor for such a bright, carefree scent ;).

Bottle: pretty... heavy
Sillage + Longevity: a lightweight in every respect. 3 hours is... just too little. Especially in this price range.

Conclusion: a wonderful bergamot. For the time it lasts, it’s hard to find something more beautiful for summer (despite its simplicity). But it is as fleeting as a warm sunbeam in October...

Updated on 01/06/2017

01/06/2015

7Scent 4Longevity 4Sillage

FabianO
1010 Reviews

Translated · Show original

FabianO

5

The pure, harmonious, lemony premium beauty for people with six-figure bank statements

And again a good mood summer Italy vacation scent in the Zegna luxury line. Alongside the beautiful, clear, somewhat feminine "Iris" and the fruity "Mandarine," the "Italian Bergamot" fully embraces the citrus and orange note.

Once again, it is clearly emphasized, puristic, pure - but unfortunately, it has all been done before.

A spring-like opening, a buttery soft, smooth citrus bergamot takes the lead - however, Atelier Cologne and Acqua di Parma have had something similar in their repertoire for many years (at half the price...).

A hint of neroli supports the bergamot, which, as a top note, quickly loses its presence and is complemented by soft, unsweetened orange aspects.

Not much more follows; the experience on the skin is very linear, like the other Essenze scents. Vacation vibes are certainly present, and overall, the fragrance has turned out to be very unisex. Longevity and sillage are once again relatively poor, especially considering the exclusive price.

What remains is (once again) the realization that one does not have to chase after the exclusivity that Zegna conjures up with its sales policy, unless one has six figures in the bank and simply wants a particularly pretty bottle for the bathroom.

The only one I would be willing to spend the demanded 195 euros on is the wonderfully and truly uniquely crafted "Javanese Patchouli" (in ignorance of "Oud" and "Vetiver").

06/15/2014

7Scent 2.5Longevity 2.5Sillage

FLUidENTITY
246 Reviews

Translated · Show original

FLUidENTITY

Very helpful Review 6

100 Megapixel

With the Essenze line, Z has launched an elegant-exclusive collection. This is reflected in the price and availability. 195 euros and where you can get it in Germany, that can be counted on one paw. The line currently includes 6 fragrances, positioned moderately wide. There is a winter oud, a patchouli, and the rest is brushed for spring, where the freshness aspect dominates significantly.

I have been deeply engaged with Essenze lately, and I find the most distinctive hallmark of the line is its crystal clarity. Whether oud or bergamot, they embody purity, form, contour, and control. The only problem: They can be classified as too beautiful, too noble without that certain something, without the wow effect. The bottles overwhelm you; they are solid, heavy, and powerful.

IB is a 100-megapixel fragrance. A freshness in high resolution. In such high resolution that it reminds you of the clear water that washes around the island of Capri when you stroll along the rocky coasts in southern Italy during the height of summer. It is fairy-tale pure, clear, and pristine. High-gloss nature at its most strikingly beautiful side.

The purity breathes a bit of Acqua di Parma soul. It is infused in IB and fills IB out. This is the life elixir of the fragrance. I perceive it as quite fruity fresh, but it also has something of the mainland when you stroll through the bushes along the rocky coasts. Just a tiny bit, really only a little, of dried green I would like to perceive, no grass, as the rocky coasts are too dry for that.

I also don't find IB juicy; it leans more towards the latent dry direction without becoming brittle or dusty. I would wear it if it were just a bit more multifaceted. I would have wished for a bit more scene, presentation, and staging. Despite all its high quality, that is all that IB wants to present to you. It is a high-quality spotlight that is offered, but shiny high quality, stunning high quality is not enough for me if it comes at the expense of the expression of the fragrance notes. Because the innovation in fruitiness is not very strong; I can find that elsewhere and cheaper, but not of such high quality.

For those who want somewhat one-dimensional fruitiness presented fresh, but extremely beautiful, then IB.

Oh yes, the longevity is really problematic, truly. But you have 125 ml. One should not have high expectations for sillage; it is quite hidden in its restraint.