ACQUA DI PARMA
GELSOMINO A FREDDO

2025

PERFUMER
Daphne Bugey

lemon
pink pepper
Artemisia

jasmine
black tea
iris

guaiac wood
patchouli
cypriol

‘The rich, deep, and warm essence of jasmine, extracted through the ancient technique of cold enfleurage, meets the notes of black tea and guaiac wood.’ – Acqua di Parma

Acqua di Parma is on one of the better runs with Colonia Il Profumo & Buongiorno. I don’t know if I like Gelsomino A Freddo as much as those, but it’s still a good offering.

The notes tell the story, but I was focused on jasmine in the marketing and applied it to wear to work. I rarely wear new samples to the office, but I figured this would be a safe bet. Turns out that this was significantly darker and sweeter of a fragrance than I’d expected.

Jasmine is there, but it doesn’t feel prominent to my nose on first wear. Instead, warm spices and a leafy woodiness are front and center. Dry tea leaf, earthiness, sweet iris… it feels mature, rustic, Autumn-ready.

As it dries down, the woodiness is a bit harsher than I’d like, but it’s a nice overall experience. A good balance of sweetness and earthiness. For the ‘concept’ I wouldn’t have minded a more pronounced or brighter jasmine in here. For what it is though, it’s well done.