This fragrance review has been a long time coming. I first tried this scent years ago, and always said I would get it “one day”. That day finally came.
For Christmas just gone, I got a bottle of Acqua Di Parma Oud. An eau de parfum which I’ve been thinking about getting for a very long time, I finally got this expensive scent.
So what’s the hype, is it worth it and what does it smell like?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Does Acqua Di Parma Oud Smell Like?
As soon as I smell Acqua Di Parma Oud I am hit with a super strong woody, oud and slightly leathery scent, which is complimented by a fresh but subtle hit of orange citrus.
This comes from the bergamot, but the cedarwood, oud, sandalwood and musk really shine through and makes this a really strong masculine style of fragrance.
It’s an incredibly dark scent, seductive but still kind of sharp, thanks to that citrus note.
The strong woods and oud really make this scent what it is, very deep, dark and warm, with that citrus cutting through.
Acqua Di Parma Oud Fragrance Notes
Top Notes – Bergamot, Orange
Heart Notes – Haitian Amyris Oil, Russian Coriander, Oud
Base Notes – Cedarwood, Leather accord, Patchouli Oil, Sandalwood, Musk
Fragrance Accords
How Long Does Acqua Di Parma Oud Last?
Acqua Di Parma Oud lasts quite a long time, and I was able to get around 8-9 hours of use with this.
It’s no surprise, since this is an EDP and the scent profile is wood and oud heavy, with darker scents typically lasting a long time.
I am happy with how long this lasts.
How Strong Is Acqua Di Parma Oud?
There’s no doubt that Acqua Di Parma Oud is a strong fragrance, but it manages to do this without being too over-powering or too “loud”.
You’ll smell it on yourself, others around you will too. It will also project a reasonable distance too, but doesn’t fill the room which is a good thing.
It’s a good balance of being strong, while not being over-bearing.
How Many Sprays Do You Need?
There is definitely no need to over-spray Acqua Di Parma Oud, I use 6-8 sprays of this. 2x wrists (optional), 3x neck, 1x back of neck, 2x chest.
Acqua Di Parma Oud Pros And Cons
Pros
- Incredible smell
- Unique and quite a niche scent
- Very dark & seductive making it a good evening scent
Cons
- RRP currently £257 which is a high price
- Only works best on an evening
- Has lost some of it’s exclusivity with lots of guys wearing it
Fragrance Bottle
The Acqua Di Parma Oud fragrance bottle takes it shape from the rest of the bottles within it’s range. It’s a cylindrical shaped bottle with a plastic top.
The bottle is an opaque black, with a black sticker branding to the front which has the Acqua Di Parma logo and text in a gold colour.
The black and gold really give the bottle a luxury look, which is exactly how this fragrance smells.
The atomiser is good, giving a large wide spray, the same as the other bottles from the brand.
What Clothes To Wear With Acqua Di Parma Oud
When it comes to pairing clothes with Acqua Di Parma Oud, I would suggest formal, smart and smart casual clothing.
A blazer with a shirt, a suit, or a clean crisp shirt will work well. Smart knitwear and jumpers in the winter will also work well, and other smart casual choices.
Needless to say, this isn’t the fragrance to pair with super casual clothing, sportwear or something you’d wear to the beach.
When To Wear Acqua Di Parma Oud
Being a dark scent, the best time to wear Acqua Di Parma Oud is on a night.
It’s one of the best evening scents you can wear, and I recommend wearing this in the colder months of autumn and winter.
Who Is Acqua Di Parma Oud For?
When it comes to heavy dark scents like Acqua Di Parma Oud, I always recommend these being worn by slightly older guys.
I see this as a mature scent, so I think it’s best suited to anyone over 25, with going all the way up to over 50 and even over 60.
It’s a modern and sophisticated scent, so although younger guys could wear it, I think those wanting to smell more mature will like it more.
Is Acqua Di Parma Oud Worth It?
There is a problem with deciding on whether or not Acqua Di Parma Oud is worth it.
Let me explain.
You can often get this on offer, and for that, it’s definitely worth it. But there is a problem.
The RRP price for Acqua Di Parma Oud is currently £257 for a 100ml bottle. This is the entry price, and is the smallest bottle currently on sale.
That is incredibly expensive, and sadly there’s no 50ml or even 75ml bottle available.
You can get a 50ml bottle of a Tom Ford Private Collection scent for just a bit less, or something from Creed or Maison Francis Kurkdjian, with these brands doing various ouds.
Of course you’re getting double the size, 100ml vs 50ml, so it’s hard to decide.
But you can get a 90ml bottle of Gucci Intense Oud, probably my favourite oud for around £120.
So, if you’re looking to get 1 bottle of oud, the Acqua Di Parma Oud could be worth it. I prefer Gucci Intense Oud, but the AdP is still a brilliant scent.
Where To Buy Acqua Di Parma Oud
You can buy Acqua Di Parma Oud from the fragrance house themselves, and in other retailers too.
I strongly advise shopping around for this scent, department stores like John Lewis stock this, and have sales throughout the year.
Fragrance Details
Longevity – Acqua Di Parma Oud is eau de parfum strength, and I was able to get 8-9 hours from this which means it has great longevity.
Projection – The projection is very good, and those around can smell it without it being over bearing.
Best season to wear – Autumn/Winter
Scent type – Woody/Oud/Warm Spicy
Age Recommendation – 25+
Best Worn – Evening, Formal, Smart Casual
Top Notes – Bergamot, Orange
Heart Notes – Haitian Amyris Oil, Russian Coriander, Oud
Base Notes – Cedarwood, Leather accord, Patchouli Oil, Sandalwood, Musk
And there you have it. Acqua Di Parma Oud is a fantastic men’s fragrance which is mature, dark and smells incredible.
It’s expensive, but not too many guys wear it, making it fairly unique.
If you’re looking to splash out on a dark scent, this could be it. If not, you can check out more of my aftershave reviews if you’re looking for your next scent.
About Michael
Michael Adams is the founder and editor of Michael 84, blogger from Newcastle, UK. Sharing men's fashion tips, style advice and lifestyle information for all guys.
