With all the talk about Armani, here’s a clear guide to show you the top picks.
Armani holds a special place in my heart because my very first perfume came from this brand. Beyond personal sentiment, Armani boasts some of the most famous and best-selling men’s perfumes of all time within its portfolio. Consider the timeless Acqua di Giò or the immensely popular Stronger With You line. Having tested nearly all of Armani’s men’s fragrances, here are my thoughts.
1. Acqua di Giò
Released 25 years ago, will still be popular 25 years from now.
Quick Facts:
- Summer
- Fresh and light
- Affordable when bought online
- Absolutely timeless
When you look up Acqua di Giò, you might find claims it’s the best-selling men’s fragrance ever. While I can’t confirm these claims, it’s clear that Acqua di Giò has been a favorite among men since its launch in 1996. It captures the essence of timeless freshness, reminiscent of ocean breezes with a touch of citrus. Ideal for hot summer days, its universally appealing blend suits every man, regardless of age. You can’t do anything wrong by picking this classic.
2. Acqua di Giò Profondo
A modernised classic
Quick Facts:
- Suitable all-year around
- Easy to wear, sporty vibe
- Much improved longevity over the original
- Follows the “blue” trend
Following the groundbreaking release of Bleu de Chanel, every major perfume brand introduced their version of a “blue” fragrance. Acqua di Giò Profondo is Armani’s entry into this popular trend. Profondo builds on the fresh and light formula of the original Acqua di Giò, infusing it with the popular, yet elusive “blue” notes. The outcome is a modern and highly versatile men’s fragrance that remains faithful to its roots. Moreover, Profondo boasts significantly enhanced longevity compared to its predecessor.
3. Acqua di Giò Parfum / Profumo
A very innovative take on an aquatic perfume. Unique!
Quick Facts:
- A fresh perfume with added incense
- Very masculine
- Long-lasting
- Highly unique
Many perfumes might smell pleasant, but it’s hard to tell them apart because they often share a similar scent profile. Acqua di Giò Profumo stands out by daring to mix a very unique combination: an aquatic fresh scent with bold and masculine incense notes. This gamble has turned Profumo into an exceptionally distinctive perfume, one that you can easily recognize among hundreds of others. This bold blend is strong, masculine, and highly versatile. However, it’s worth noting that it might not be the best fit for teenagers. Additionally, Profumo has been discontinued, but the newly released Acqua di Giò Parfum closely resembles the original, albeit with slightly less incense.
4. Armani Code
A perfume with many concentrations and flankers
Quick Facts:
- A sweet allrounder
- Easy to wear
- Not that innovative
- Average longevity
Armani Code is a true classic in the world of perfumery. Over the years, there have been numerous concentrations and even more flankers, most of which are no longer available. However, the new Armani Code Parfum deserves a special mention as it refreshes the sweet, slightly creamy base DNA of the original Code, making it fresher and more wearable. This new iteration is a dynamic blend of sweet, fresh, floral, and citrus notes, culminating in a versatile fragrance suited for the modern man. Unlike its predecessors, this version is not overly sweet, making it suitable for daytime wear as well. Still don’t wear it on a hot summer day.
5. lui/il/he/él/男
A great smelling perfumes that has only one issue…
Quick Facts:
- Underrated
- Smells like a smooth Italian in Rome
- Affordable and versatile
- Worst performance of all time?
The first perfume, much like first love, holds a special place in one’s heart. For me, it was lui/il/he/él/男 by Emporio Armani, and I adored it. Now, years later, after sampling hundreds of perfumes, I can affirm that lui/il/he/él/男 remains a commendable fragrance. It nearly checks all the boxes: Timeless and versatile scent? Check. Masculine and widely appealing? Check. Suitable for warm weather? Check. Affordability? Check. It could be an overwhelmingly popular choice, if not for one significant drawback. The performance is dreadful. Barely 30 minutes in, and I struggle to detect its presence. Such a shame. If you can live with said drawback then you will get a very solid fragrance with fantastic value-for-money.
6. Stronger With You
Nuts, nuts, nuts – The winter fragrances of the last couple of years
Quick Facts:
- Sweet
- It’s all about nuts
- Very popular
- Best in Winter
Every so often, a brand launches a perfume that turns into a massive hit. Stronger With You is exactly that kind of fragrance. It felt like EVERYONE was wearing this or one of its many flankers over the last few winters. And there’s a good reason for it — it simply smells sexy. Consider the ingredients: cardamom, pink pepper, vanilla, glazed chestnut. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? While the original Stronger With You is still great, I think its newer versions, Intensely and Absolutely, are even better. You can read more about them further down this list.
7. Stronger With You Intensely
More intense and even sweeter – people love it
Quick Facts:
- Compliment magnet
- Borderline sweet
- Only in winter
- Long-lasting
Stronger With You Intensely lives up to its name. It amps up everything great about the original Stronger With You. The glazed chestnut scent is stronger, the sweetness is richer, and it lasts much longer. People really love it, and that’s why Intensely is now one of the top winter fragrances for men. It’s a real compliment getter. If you’re into (very) sweet perfumes, this could be the one for you.
8. Stronger With You Absolutely
The boozy option
Quick Facts:
- For autumn & winter
- Quite similar to Intensely
- Has a boozy rum note
- Less versatile, more sexy
For dates, parties, or special events, Stronger With You Absolutely is the choice to make. It’s quite similar to the already fantastic Intensely but introduces a boozy rum note, adding an even sexier and more playful vibe to the fragrance. For me, it’s definitely the best in the series. But which one should you choose? Opt for Intensely if you enjoy really sweet perfumes and want something a bit more versatile. Choose Absolutely for fun nights out or those spicy dates you have planned.
Final Thoughts:
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