Colonia is the eau de Cologne that founded Acqua di Parma in 1916 and remains the house's emblematic fragrance. This citrus classic opens on lemon, sweet orange and Calabrian bergamot, moves through an aromatic heart of lavender, Bulgarian rose, verbena and rosemary, and settles on vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli.
Lemon, orange and bergamot
The top brings together lemon, sweet orange and Calabrian bergamot, a trio the house calls its golden fruits.
An aromatic heart
The heart combines lavender, Bulgarian rose, verbena and rosemary; the house describes it as fresh, aromatic and discreetly elegant.
Vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli
The base rests on vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli, which bring warmth to the whole.
What the ingredients declare
Among its ingredients, Acqua di Parma declares oakmoss, which its list of notes does not mention.
What the label declares
Colonia's label places limonene at the top of its odorant substances, true to the citrus of the opening, ahead of hydroxycitronellal, a molecule with a lily of the valley scent that the list of notes does not name. It also declares an oakmoss extract and coumarin, with a hay scent.
Neither oakmoss nor coumarin appears among the notes, which for the base stick to vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli. Eugenol adds a touch of clove; the list declares neither a UV filter nor a colorant.