We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.
7.3 / 10 76 Ratings
A perfume by Zara for men, released in 2001. The scent is fresh-citrusy. It was last marketed by Coty.
Compare
Similar fragrances
We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Fresh
Citrus
Green
Woody
Aquatic

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
YuzuYuzu CardamomCardamom Reinforced ToothpasteReinforced Toothpaste
Heart Notes Heart Notes
BasilBasil Cascalone®Cascalone® FiskrompetFiskrompet
Base Notes Base Notes
Cashmere woodCashmere wood Brazilian rosewoodBrazilian rosewood

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.376 Ratings
Longevity
5.963 Ratings
Sillage
5.162 Ratings
Bottle
7.172 Ratings
Value for money
7.411 Ratings
Submitted by Michael · last update on 10/19/2025.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
1881 Edition Blanche pour Homme by Cerruti
1881 Edition Blanche pour Homme
Twice pour Homme (Eau de Toilette) by Iceberg
Twice pour Homme Eau de Toilette
Eau Sauvage (Eau de Toilette) by Dior
Eau Sauvage Eau de Toilette
1881 pour Homme (2005) (Eau de Toilette) by Cerruti
1881 pour Homme (2005) Eau de Toilette

Reviews

10 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Apicius

1328 Reviews
Apicius
Apicius
Helpful Review 5  
Spring Wanted Badly!
What can we do if – like this year in my country– spring still isn't coming. People have colds when they should suffer from hayfever. All branches and twigs are empty, not the slightest hint of fresh green so far. Let's conjure up spring with a brand new fresh and citric fragrance!

Cerruti's 1881 Acqua Forte has crossed my path – and immediately found its way into my collection. I am not a big fan of citric perfumes – but yuzu always puts a smile on my face. I like this transparent, greenish and slightly bitter scent that this asian fruit has to offer. It is part of the game in some citric-aquatic perfumes by Kenzo and Issey Miyake. We find Yuzu more distinctive in Pierre Guillaumes wonderful Yuzu ab Irato, and in the recent Caron release, Yuzu Man.

Whereas Pierre Guillaume's rather strong fragrance seems to confirm a certain clichée – to be somewhat special, inaccessible, just “niche” - Caron's contribution may have turned out to be a bit boring and conservative. And so, Cerruti's 1881 Acqua Forte is just entering the scene at the right moment.

1881 Acqua Forte starts wonderfully citric and green – with just that kind of airiness and buoyancy that I link with Yuzu. A little spicy cardamom seed and a fresh green aspect provided by basil may have a part in that accord. I sense some floral hints that quickly vanish towards the heart of the fragrance. There is a slightly woody background. Fortunately the announced Cascalone is not too present – not more than a very soft hint of sea breeze. Aquatic notes staying well in the background cannot be experienced too often. 1881 Acqua Forte is neither synthetic nor rough and raspy from cheap ingredients. Well done!

They cheated with the name: Of course, 1881 Acqua Forte is not “forte” at all. The 125 ml bottle is not sized too big since one may spray generously. Most of the citric note is quickly vanishing but its vibes hang on. I do not see much in common with 1881 Homme. Neither the original, not its many flankers have impressed me much so far, and so the Acqua Forte is a surprise to me.

1881 Acqua Forte stands in the tradition of the classic Eau de Cologne, but it deviates from the tradition by containing the more modern Yuzu and Cascalone. In opposite to the sometimes problematic offers from Kenzo and Issey Miyake, 1881 Acqua Forte behaves mannerly and humble – not very demanding but without being frumpy or boring. One could call it simple but good – and that is not the worst one could say about an Eau de Cologne. Look forward to a beautiful new summer fragrance that is particularily inexpensive on top!
3 Comments
Jensemann

217 Reviews
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Jensemann
Jensemann
Top Review 11  
A Challenge Issued
The new Cerruti is clearly a challenge... namely to the winter of 2012/2013, which has really stretched the term "overlong" and has actually overdone it. While it has already snowed again this morning, one has to bring spring into the house with a few summer scents to escape the winter depression.

And this works very well with "Acqua Forte." At the moment, to be honest, I'm a bit fed up with my winter heavyweights, no matter how much I love them all in winter. At some point, enough is enough. However, this little water produces a wonderful mood that says goodbye to the snow for 4 hours.

The opening features a wonderful zesty yuzu note. You can really feel how juicy this fruit is. So far, I have only tested one yuzu perfume, and unfortunately, it fell flat in the base.
Not so with the new Cerruti... everything has been done right here. After the refreshing burst in the top, the yuzu note fades a bit, and the aquatic notes come in, along with what I think is cardamom, which gives the fragrance a bit of a sunscreen feel. You really can't tell that the price is €29.95 for 120ml; the whole mixture has been wonderfully composed.

The longevity of this winter refresher is also really good. It lasts easily 4 hours on me.

Thus, Cerruti has done everything right this time. I can warmly recommend a blind buy to anyone who is also fed up with the cold season.
6 Comments
Buenolfato

23 Reviews
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Buenolfato
Buenolfato
Very helpful Review 6  
Sour Makes Funny
I want to dedicate my first comment here - despite the impending Siberian cold snap - to one of my current summer favorites.

Fortunately, reading the comments of my predecessors coincided with a special offer on Acqua forte at the red drugstore with a horse in its name.

So off I went and grabbed it for little money.
And I was not disappointed.

This offshoot has, fortunately for me, received almost nothing in terms of scent from its namesake father from 1881.

The first thing that rises to my nose after spraying is this wonderfully juicy yuzu aroma, which remains quite dominant for me.

Anyone who has ever taken a hearty bite of a sour lemon can now visualize this olfactorily.

Towards the base, a pleasantly unobtrusive wood note enriches the fragrance, which does not overwhelm the overall mood of the scent but wonderfully rounds off the entire composition.

Acqua forte lasted effortlessly for five hours on me, although I still don't know if the printed label as EdT can be trusted or if this can actually pass as Eau de Cologne.

Regardless, everyone except citrus fruit allergy sufferers can confidently grab this and enjoy a wonderfully light and cheerful summer scent.
3 Comments
9Scent
Fleurissimo

323 Reviews
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Fleurissimo
Fleurissimo
Helpful Review 6  
Citrus Pepper
During my childhood in the 80s, Eau de Cologne was so out, considered the epitome of aging stuffiness. Then came the era of futuristic Eaux de Colognes, like "cK one" or "L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme." And every now and then, though rarely, we get to enjoy a classic citrus scent of the type "Eau Sauvage" or "Pour Monsieur."

One such fragrance is the new "Acqua Forte." The combination of the modern Yuzu fruit with the typical basil of citrus classics in the opening is exciting. In the heart note, pepper, cardamom, and jasmine join in. This mixture feels herb-spicy and classically masculine. The finish of patchouli, labdanum, and moss is very beautiful.

Especially the "1881" note, which already defines the base scent in its complexity and gentlemanly elegance, is beautifully utilized here and contributes to the freshness being elegantly rounded off, resulting in a full-bodied fragrance that captivates in a refined way. Yes, one could even speak of the finest powderiness. Thumbs up for this inconspicuous bestseller sitting on the shelf!
0 Comments
Minigolf

2533 Reviews
Translated · Show originalShow translation
Minigolf
Minigolf
6  
The Scent of a "Raunacht" Just Before New Year's
C for "Cerruti 1881 Acqua Forte" and C for Cold.
Very cold, frost-covered, moonlit, snow-covered. Minus 10 degrees. At least.
It is the night before New Year's Eve. Wishes for the next year are quietly formulated. Also good resolutions. The walk takes a long time. Despite the cold outside. And I ponder the past super-hot summer.
I am not freezing.
The moon glimmers bluishly and every tiny sound far away seems to be amplified by the clear icy air.
Distant barking of dogs, a laugh somewhere, a car drives down the street, stops. Door opens.... click. Door closes... Padock...
The summer... too hot and too dry, makes work difficult. Drinking a lot helps... Also refreshing scents. Sometimes you need ice-cold ones... like "Cerruti Acqua Forte" ...
A top note like clinking citrus ice... mixed with fine fresh spices.
The basil gives "endurance" and helps against emerging fatigue.
And the woods in the base of the fragrance remind me of a snowy forest.... Yes, in summer I often used this scent to cool myself.
But on a night like this, it would make me shiver, turn me into an ice block...
I ponder the next summer...
0 Comments
More reviews

Statements

11 short views on the fragrance
39
35
Yuzu listed but not in it P.10000 :
Anonymous Non-Yuzu fruit rides on dry woody Cashmeran board over musky soft aqua waves.*
Translated · Show originalShow translation
35 Comments
18
14
Fine sour yuzu meets fresh green and woody spice. A hint of artificiality can't be denied, but it stays within limits.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
14 Comments
16
20
Many men's deodorants smell like this, and that's why I only use unscented ones. A greenish, spicy average scent.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
20 Comments
9
5
Bathing in cardamom broth, soft woods stroll out with a fresh herbal vibe. I find the scent successful. Airy, fresh, subtle.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
5 Comments
7
7
wonderful blind test
K: masculine spicy citrus charmer
H: creamy lemon
B: still citrus cream with a hint of woods
soooo beautiful*
Translated · Show originalShow translation
7 Comments
6
4
More cardamom/yuzu would have been nice; instead, it feels a bit simple, like old-school men's sport shower gel + wood notes.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
4 Comments
7 years ago
4
You can do it for the price, but there are definitely better "newbies," e.g. in the "Blu Mediterraneo" series by Acqua di Parma! :-)
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
2
Nice scent that can be worn well on warm days. However, it is not very distinctive.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
2
1
A bit of yuzu and basil are the main players. Light woods are hiding in the background. H and S are unfortunately just mediocre.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
1 Comment
1
Modernized "Gentleman Cologne," while preserving "class" and classic elements: balanced spiciness, soft wood, fantastic base. A gem.
Translated · Show originalShow translation
0 Comments
More statements

Charts

This is how the community classifies the fragrance.
Pie Chart Radar Chart

Images

10 fragrance photos of the community
More images

Popular by Zara

Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes (Eau de Parfum) by Zara Rich/Warm/Addictive (Eau de Toilette) by Zara Vetiver Pamplemousse (Eau de Parfum) / N°01 Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes Intense by Zara Sand Desert at Sunset by Zara Vibrant Leather (2018) (Eau de Parfum) by Zara WO/01 Somewoody by Zara Sand Desert at Sunset Intense by Zara 9.0 by Zara Ebony Wood (Eau de Parfum) / N°03 Ebony Wood by Zara Absolutely Dark by Zara Chapter - No. 3: Golden Decade (Eau de Parfum) by Zara Rose Gourmand Women by Zara Antique Brown by Zara Warm Black by Zara Red Temptation Women (Eau de Parfum) by Zara Intense/Dark/Exclusive by Zara Waterlily Tea Dress (Eau de Parfum) / N°02 Waterlily Tea Dress by Zara Majestic Green by Zara Bohemian Oud by Zara For Him Red Edition (Eau de Parfum) by Zara