ACQUA DI PARMA
GINEPRO DI SARDEGNA

2014

PERFUMER
Melanie Carestia

Juniper
Allspice
Pepper
Nutmeg
Bergamot

Cypress
Sage

Cedarwood

To be honest, I have no business liking Ginepro as much as I do. As with the other Acqua Di Parma offerings that I’ve tried, it has the traditional (masculine leaning) cologne style; in this case moving into aftershave territory in the drydown. I never disliked those scents, but I never like them enough to wear it and I also have the connection in my brain with it being cheap (which this kind of is and that should be more of a positive than a negative).

What makes this fragrance special is the invigorating freshness. It’s not a citrus heavy, sunny, Summery scent, which you might expect from the Blu Mediterraneo line. Instead, it’s all about the sharp juniper, a peppery spice and light, airy cypress. It’s an aromatic and very ozonic scent. In the opening, it’s sparkling and it smells like you could drink it (like a gin cocktail), but quickly it becomes spicier and more aromatic. That fresh, bright kick lasts for a good while, even though a heavier aftershave style starts coming through more and more.

Ginepro Di Sardegna is my favorite Acqua di Parma so far alongside Fico Di Amalfi. Most people know the more popular Colonia line, but Ginepro is a fresher, longer lasting and more unique scent that I think caters to the same audience. I do think it’s been discontinued on retailers, which might be why I never heard of it until I was gifted it. Which is a real shame, because this seems like a great warmer weather scent for anyone that doesn’t want to go for the more common citrus or marine styles.