Acqua di Giò Eau de Parfum Giorgio Armani 2022 male 483

The Verdict

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum, launched in 2022 with Alberto Morillas returning as perfumer, represents the latest chapter in one of the most successful fragrance franchises in history. This EDP reformulation takes the familiar aquatic DNA and introduces herbal elements -- clary sage, lavender, and geranium -- that give it an almost leafy character distinguishing it from the marine-dominant original.

The fragrance community generally views this as a solid if unexciting addition to the Acqua di Gio lineup. It improves on the original EDT's performance while maintaining the fresh, aquatic character that made the line famous. However, the shadow of the beloved and discontinued Profumo looms large, with many reviewers measuring the EDP against that benchmark and finding it wanting.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers a fresh burst of green Italian mandarin combined with sea notes that immediately signals the Acqua di Gio family. This is a fresher, less floral introduction compared to other versions in the line, with the mandarin providing zesty brightness against the familiar aquatic backdrop.

The heart introduces the EDP's most distinctive elements: Provencal clary sage, Provencal lavender, and Madagascan geranium. These herbal notes give the fragrance a leafy, slightly aromatic character that sets it apart from the purely marine original. The sage in particular adds a pleasant, almost fougere-like quality that grounds the aquatic notes with earthy depth.

The base reveals mineral notes alongside Haitian vetiver and Guatemalan patchouli. This woody-mineral foundation is subtle but effective, extending the fragrance's life while maintaining the clean, fresh impression. What remains in the later hours are touches of zesty citruses from the opening, pleasing clary sage, and ocean vibes with a pinch of cold salt.

When to Wear It

Acqua di Gio EDP is a warm-weather fragrance that excels from spring through summer as a daily signature scent. It works equally well for casual weekend outings, office environments, business meetings, and active lifestyles. Its clean, inoffensive character makes it appropriate for virtually any daytime setting.

While primarily a warm-weather scent, the herbal and woody elements give it enough substance for mild autumn days. Only harsh winter weather makes this feel out of place, as the aquatic freshness can read as cold and thin in low temperatures.

Longevity & Projection

Performance represents a meaningful improvement over the original EDT, though it falls short of eau de parfum expectations for some wearers. Most reviewers report 5 to 7 hours of total wear time, with above-average projection during the first two hours before the fragrance settles into moderate territory closer to the skin.

The experience is not uniform -- some wearers report the fragrance fading rapidly within two hours even with generous application, while others enjoy a full day of presence. The consensus places performance as adequate but not outstanding for an EDP, with the fragrance's closing hours spent as a pleasant skin scent.

The Community Says

The fragrance community on Fragrantica, Basenotes, and review blogs generally recommends Acqua di Gio EDP as a solid option for anyone who likes the original and wants improved performance. The Scent Grail review gave it a B rating for its safe appeal and natural ingredients while noting it lacks innovation and resembles previous flankers.

The elephant in the room is always Acqua di Gio Profumo, now discontinued. Many community members consider Profumo the superior composition, and the EDP struggles to escape that comparison. For those encountering the Acqua di Gio line fresh, however, the EDP represents a well-executed entry point.

Who Should Buy This

Acqua di Gio EDP is an excellent choice for men seeking a reliable, crowd-pleasing warm-weather fragrance that improves on the classic original. It works particularly well for fragrance newcomers who want a safe starting point and for fans of the original who have wished for better longevity without fundamentally changing the scent profile.

Those who owned and loved Profumo should sample the EDP with managed expectations, as it offers a different interpretation rather than a direct replacement. The eco-friendly refillable bottle adds practical and environmental appeal to repeat purchases.

The Bottom Line

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Eau de Parfum delivers a fresh, herbal evolution of one of perfumery's most iconic scents in a modern, sustainable package. It may not rewrite the rules or match the beloved Profumo, but as a versatile daily fragrance for warm weather, it offers reliable quality, improved performance, and the inoffensive charm that has made this line a global staple for nearly three decades.