Our take
What does Colonia Intensa smell like?
Acqua di Parma launched Colonia Intensa in 2007. François Demachy and Alberto Morillas took the spirit of the 1916 Colonia and made it darker. The opening stays true to the house. Calabrian bergamot and Sicilian lemon shine, but cardamom and ginger spice them straight away. The heart takes a Mediterranean turn with myrtle, artemisia and neroli. It's green, slightly bitter and very aromatic. The base is where things change. Leather, cedar and patchouli darken the mix while benzoin and musk round it off. It brings to mind a fine leather jacket rather than a bar of soap. The house files it under citrus leather woody, and that's accurate. Compared with the brighter, more lavender-led original Colonia, Intensa lasts longer and works easily in winter. It's still an eau de cologne, so longevity is decent and no more.
When to wear it
A cologne for every season that looks right at the office with a suit. Spray it generously on the neck and collar.
It belongs to the Woody, Citrus family. Colonia Intensa is one of 6 creations by Acqua di Parma in our encyclopedia.
