Acqua di Gio and all its reissues... Is the Profondo 2024 worth recommending or can it be dismissed as unremarkable? That depends...
Well, we need to clarify what the intended use of this perfume is, what expectations one can have, and what not. Furthermore, it is important to explain why a comparison to the 2020 version is inappropriate and whether the Profondo 2024 has its justification.
Let’s start with the intended use
The Profondo 2024 is a relatively unremarkable, fresh, and aquatic scent with a certain something. The fragrance notes listed here give, in my opinion, a pretty good impression. It fits best in spring and summer, yet it is actually wearable anytime and anywhere. You will always smell fresh and pleasant, as if just showered. I can't make much of the term "Profondo," which means "deep," but it does sound cool.
Now about me and why I bought this perfume:
I was looking for a high-quality perfume for any sporting activities that is not cheap but still within a reasonable price range for its purpose. At just under €80 for 100ml, the Profondo 2024 falls into this category for me.
Until now, I had either perfumes that were too overpowering for sports, ones I simply didn’t like, had a different intended use, and didn’t embody sports for me, making them feel out of place, or expensive niche perfumes that were too precious and costly for me to wear while exercising.
While browsing the new Parfumo search function, I eventually stumbled upon the Profondo and remembered it, then decided to test it, and what can I say, it was a complete success. In my opinion, the Profondo does not change much in its scent progression and remains relatively linear, which I personally find optimal for the purpose I defined. I want to smell good, fresh, and modern; I don’t want to experience a fragrance journey of various facets while exercising. This it fulfills. It keeps coming back to my nose and has, at least for me, a very pleasant interplay with my sweat. Receiving compliments for its scent while being completely drenched in sweat is something you can get used to. It is by no means intrusive and stays in the background. It does not overshadow me but supports me with its background presence. At the same time, it has a very slight sweetness alongside the citrusy, fresh, and aquatic notes, which gives it that certain something without being intrusive and also sets it apart from other perfumes in the lower price segment.
Even if not everyone can appreciate it, for me, it also adds to the appeal that you are wearing an Armani and not a cheap fragrance copy from elsewhere. The DNA is not copied and builds on the foundation of a big name in the perfume world with this flanker. The bottle looks quite nice, even if it obviously doesn’t have Roja quality. It is indeed very attractive and also of high quality. The sprayer is good too.
What can you expect and what not?
As already stated, you can expect a spring/summer perfume that proves to be a high-quality companion, especially for sports. What you should not expect, however, is a completely new, unprecedented fragrance DNA that evolves throughout the day. That is not what it is, and it shouldn’t be.
Why is a comparison to the 2020 version inappropriate and, above all, unnecessary?
For some months now, it has been evident that a change has taken place at Armani, and they are reissuing many of their perfumes with slight modifications. Anyone who smells the 2020 and 2024 Profondo side by side will notice only minimally changed nuances and, without the direct comparison, probably wouldn’t even recognize which version it is. In general, it can be said that Armani is making their perfumes more mass-appealing and tailored to the mainstream. This means, in plain terms, that green notes, which can sometimes be considered "edgy," are being removed or their proportion reduced, while everything pleasing is being ramped up. Fragrance enthusiasts usually appreciate these nuanced facets, as they make the scent more layered and thus more interesting, while the average nose either doesn’t perceive them at all or finds these facets unpleasant and perceives the linearity as more pleasant and agreeable. Therefore, it is understandable that Armani tailors their perfumes to their primary target audience, and rationally, this is the right decision. You won’t find niche here, and you shouldn’t expect it. The adjustments are therefore logical, and comparisons of the 2020 to the 2024 version are, in my opinion, inappropriate and unnecessary, especially since you can no longer buy the 2020 version new.
Conclusion
Now let’s return to the question from the title: What is the Profondo 2024 and what is it not?
If you are looking for a high-quality perfume for sports activities, you will find it here, just like I did. For that, I give a clear recommendation. If you want to experience an unprecedented, new fragrance journey with various facets, you are in the wrong place. One must be clear about what to expect and what not. For my purpose, sports, the Profondo 2024 is fantastically suitable. I also find the small adjustments compared to the 2020 version good.
Finally, please understand my evaluations in this sporting context.
Updated on 06/24/2024
Top Notes 
Green mandarin orange
Marine notes
Heart Notes 
Lavender
Rosemary
Base Notes 
Cedarwood
Musk
Patchouli
Gourmandgrl
Kronkmusic
Pierreparfum
Irruzzarboss
Djigoio
Ohlookataco
SmellShell84
refD
Atlasdot
Gwapoko
