I Quattro Elementi - Acqua Paolo Gigli 2009

Acqua - the name actually suggests a combination of aquatic, green notes, but nothing could be further from the truth. Acqua is the scent of an opulent fruit basket that has just been freshly harvested. I can barely perceive the floral heart, as the fragrance remains very, very fruity for me and only becomes somewhat muted in the base.

Tendentially, I find many fruity scents unpleasant, exaggerated, and some even give me headaches. Acqua is not one of those. It stays subtly in the background and, despite all the fruity notes, has a certain freshness that distinguishes it. Therefore, Acqua is an absolutely suitable everyday scent despite its price, not one that seeks to stand out, but rather one that holds back while still spreading a pleasant, cheerful atmosphere.

That is also the reason why I really like it and joyfully spray it on again and again. Nevertheless, the fragrance has a flaw for me: for the not insignificant price of this (admittedly beautiful) bottle, one expects something special, something with a certain recognizability. And somehow, I miss that certain something in it, some note that makes it unmistakable. I am regularly approached about other perfumes, while this treasure is simply too inconspicuous. And this is where I think that the addition of green-aquatic notes could have significantly enhanced the fragrance, at least for my taste.

However, if I truly liked fruity scents, Acqua would certainly be a top representative of this category.

Conclusion: A really beautiful, invigorating scent for everyday use, but unfortunately without that special something.

Well, if Paolo Gigli dedicated this fragrance to the element of water, then one has to think a bit outside the box, because with that name I would have expected a clear, clean, transparent scent.
Instead, I am greeted by all the fruits and flowers that simply cannot grow and ripen without water. Some may like that, or as I do not. I don't mean to offend the fragrance, but I believe it has not done the perfume any favors. Those looking for a fruity, floral scent will certainly not first think of sniffing a blue bottle named "Acqua".

Anyone who prefers a sweeter, fully fruity top note, delicate flowers in the heart, and a rather inconspicuous base will surely feel comfortable with this perfume. For me, it was a surprising experience and I am once again pondering what the artist might have been thinking with this work...;)

This fragrance series by Paolo Gigli is dedicated to the 4 elements.
This one symbolizes water.
The bottle is also blue and reminds one of a deep blue ocean.
The scent starts fruity and simultaneously fresh. I detect juicy melons, sweet berry notes, and a tart apple note. A very harmonious scent profile emerges from these fruity notes; none is cloyingly sweet, but rather very delicious, and no note dominates the others. I am not faced with an overripe fruit basket but one filled with freshly harvested fruits that are all perfectly suitable for consumption and smell delightful. Alongside the fruits, there are also a few flowers in the basket. These gently and delicately exude their enchanting scent, which blends well with the fruity notes and creates a wonderful harmony. Particularly, orchids, freesias, and jasmine are well represented, while only a few roses have made it into the basket. To ensure the fragrance does not become too fruity-sweet or too floral, a basket of fresh cedarwood has been used, with a touch of white musk added.
The scent feels very well balanced, fresh, and fruity at the same time without becoming overpowering or sharp.
A perfume with wonderful fruit and floral notes, elegantly played around by the clean scent of musk and the fresh scent of cedar.