Chrome Aqua
Azzaro (2019)

First of all this isn't really an aquatic, but more of a fresh-spicy aromatic scent as the notes would indicate. Opens with some grapefruit plus a green apple note, almost vaguely similar to Aventus (same perfumer) and also reminiscent of Dior Homme Cologne in general. There's a green spiciness that persists. The base is a bit nondescript, thin and woody.

Overall this is uplifting but eventually a bit too synthetic for my tastes. Not particularly fresh either in its category. One could find superior alternatives in its price range - whether one is considering an aquatic or a fresh citrus scent.


2.5/5

Tbh I can't compare this to the original Azzaro Chrome classic, because I've never bothered to try it, and after this many years, I'm not convinced it's really necessary or relevant to evaluating this "flanker".

All I can tell you is, as a fan of freshie-aquatics, that this is a nice one!
If you're a fan of juicy, citrusy-freshies and in the mood for trying a new one, then you might enjoy this one

Average sillage and longevity, this would make for a nice hot summer weather cologne.

Regardless of the pedigree or label on the cool looking bottle, this is just a nice fragrance in its own right, just barely distinctive enough from the numerous other fragrances in this genre to warrant a recommendation.

There's something quite elegant in the simplicity of this one. Marketed as an aquatic version of Azzaro Chrome, I don't see too much similar between the two and it's a little annoying it shares a name and bottle design with Chrome, because the Aqua is much better.

Chrome Aqua is a fruity-fresh soapy aquatic from beginning to end. While apple is considered a heart note, I find it holds hands with grapefruit and aquatic notes on the top, and never fully decays, the pleasant top sticking around for the life of it. If Chrome Aqua is heavily synthetic it is very good at hiding it. The fruits and herbal notes in Aqua stays nice and cool, never warming up. Most aquatics try to be "Aquatic Plus", starting out with a refreshing clean smell but trying to do something complex with it underneath to very mixed results. God forbid you smell clean and fresh the whole way through without some kind of "signature profile."

It's perfect as a daily fume in the hot summer, or for times when you're in close contact with strangers and don't want to offend. A couple squirts on the arm has decent projection, but if others do smell it the worse they will think is that you use too much soap, as it doesn't smell a ton like standard cologne. For conventions and gatherings where body odor is a problem, it can be quite the sniff of fresh air. There's nothing cloying or headache-inducing about it. It's what it says on the bottle, and it does what it does with surprising effectiveness.

The bottle shares its uninspired design with Chrome, the two can even be mixed up due to their similarity. Aqua's glass is frosted with "Aqua" lazily printed on it. The original Chrome bottle was designed 23 years before this one was released, and somehow the Aqua looks older, but maybe 80s nostalgia is the point here, and the straightforward design matches the juice to an extent. Still, those looking for a nice aquatic at a department store will spot this one from the shoe section, and it'll be just what they are looking for. A hearty recommendation.

Opens up with salty citrus. As it dries down you start to get that soapy Chrome scent but I don't feel that's it's overly metallic. Very fresh, very clean. Pretty casual and probably best for warm weather.

Projection is decent for the first 3-4 hours. Skin scent hangs around for 7-8 hours.