Note di Colonia IV

Mind blowing - a trope so overused in product commentary that it is rendered lifeless. So watered down that many readers write off any given target of the phrase as bottled eye-rolling mediocrity. And understandably so. Yet some things are just that good, truly mind blowing, so much that I feel like they’re promoting ignorance. I find myself embracing a suspension of disbelief, convincing myself almost entirely that such elixirs we adorn ourselves in are natural creations, as god given as the stars, when in actuality we all know they are calculated potions methodically constructed from the hands of artisans. There are so few things in life that bring about such an unquestioningly, instinctive reaction, so imagine my surprise and subsequent delight in finding out the contents of this bottle do just that. A brief digression to elaborate on my point - this particular suspension of disbelief, even if it is outright romanticization, is not entirely without merit. For instance, the tasting notes of shade grown coffees are determined by the other plants grown in close proximity on the plantation. That subtle, sweet tropical flavor to your breakfast blend is all thanks to a mango tree on a mountainside in Colombia that happens to be dropping fruit next to the arabica plant your coffee is harvested from. Sure, it was probably a calculated human decision to set things up that way, but it’s still awe inspiring to me. And then there is the lavender honey you mix into your coffee - it has trace notes of lavender because that’s the flower from which the bees are collecting the ingredients for you. Even if such ideas of natural order don’t necessarily apply to perfumery, the perfumers that bring these masterpieces to fruition deserve lauding of the highest regard for fostering experiences so indistinguishable from the real thing. So as is true of any such masterpiece, Acqua di Parma’s Note di Colonia IV is transformative. It takes me to a Spring day in an orange grove on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. There are beehives evenly placed amongst the trees, and the occupants are hard at work on the orange blossoms. The nectar is brought home, collected by keepers, and the resulting honey bearing the signature of it’s source - the enthusiastically bright and fragrant orange blossom - is bottled and gifted to the world in the form of Note di Colonia IV. While the orange blossom is the dominating note, it is masterfully rounded out by the sweetness in the background, and as this one plays out over a period of several hours, the profile gradually flips - one is left with the sweet opoponax backed up by the fading orange blossom. It really is a flawless, well-timed out transition from a bright daytime appropriate scent to a classy evening stunner. But so long as we’re accepting that there is in fact a human touch involved, we can forget about the previous analogy and just envision a sprig of orange blossom being dipped in a vat of honey, slowly descending throughout the afternoon, outlasting the sunset and enduring all the way through the night. And what a night it is - a journey to the center of the city, with cappuccinos at one of the famous bares notables followed by tango at Plaza Dorrego. And then a late night walk through tunnels of crying tipa trees and purple blooming jacarandas in Palermo Soho, with a nightcap at one of the many jazz clubs. Oh, this stuff is magical! While it dances on the edge of embodying sweet and playful connotations of youthfulness, it is conversely one of the most mature, sophisticated concoctions in my collection. This dichotomy is what echos Buenos Aires to me. Elegant but playful, classic but progressive, and somehow nostalgic for the future - for sunny days and sumptuous nights that are yet to come. Deep immersion in the beauty of the evening, but not without the slightest touch of sorrow and longing. Clearing the highest bar of elegance in the presentation. The honey-drip slow, yet deliberate and inevitable transformation of the olfactory profile throughout the day’s wearing. It is a privilege to experience this. And I obviously couldn’t be more smitten. Back up bottle purchased.

🍋 Review for Note di Colonia IV — Acqua di Parma 🍋 By Dr. Rose The Perfume Lady Note di Colonia IV by Acqua di Parma is a fragrance I have not yet been able to wear — not because of the scent itself, but because of the deep trauma tied to how it entered my life. Two years ago, I purchased Note di Colonia IV from Neiman Marcus, along with two other fragrances. Later that evening, while browsing online, I discovered the same fragrance at a discounter for half the price. Wanting to act responsibly, I returned to Neiman Marcus the very next morning with the sealed, unopened bottle, my original receipt, and a simple request for a return. Instead of professionalism and courtesy, I was met with blatant racial profiling. The sales associate did not simply question the return. She accused me of opening the bottle, emptying it, and refilling it with water — despite the bottle still being perfectly factory-sealed. She even suggested that I had not purchased the fragrance from them at all, claiming my receipt was fake, despite the fact that I had used my Neiman Marcus credit card for the purchase. In that moment, nothing else mattered — not the facts, not the truth, not even my history as a loyal customer. To her, my education, my accomplishments, my professionalism — all of it was invisible. I was simply a Black woman, and that was enough for her to presume guilt, to see me as someone unworthy of trust. This is the reality so many Black women endure every day — Regardless of our degrees, our careers, our character, our contributions. We walk into stores wearing our best selves — our confidence, our pride, our dignity — and still we are met with suspicion, hostility, and disrespect. Because to people like that sales associate, none of our achievements matter. Their racism blinds them. It allows them to strip away our humanity in an instant. The trauma of that experience still lingers. Even two years later, I cannot bring myself to touch the bottle. It sits unopened, a painful reminder of how quickly dignity can be denied — and how exhausting it is to constantly have to reclaim it. As for the fragrance itself: Note di Colonia IV is a beautiful creation. It opens with a joyful, uplifting burst of citrus brightness, blending into a refined bouquet of florals, and settling into a clean, comforting woody-musk base. It smells like optimism, like a perfect spring morning full of possibilities. It is everything that moment in the store was not. It represents hope, joy, and elegance — things I will not allow racism to take from me. One day, I hope I can wear Note di Colonia IV again — not as a reminder of the pain, but as a symbol of my resilience. Because dignity lives in me. Not in how I am treated — but in how I survive. Sillage: Light to moderate — elegant and clean Longevity: Good — a soft yet lasting presence Projection: Fresh and bright at first, then a soft, dignified glow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 5 stars for the fragrance’s quiet beauty — and for the strength it will one day represent. 🌿 Final Thought: Fragrances are supposed to be memories of joy. No woman — especially no Black woman — should have to carry a memory of humiliation attached to something so beautiful. And yet, we continue to rise, and to reclaim what was meant for us.

As soon as I spread my wrist I was able to pick orange blossom which was short lived. Right after, I was able to pick up floral blend of labdanum with a twisted blend of rose and opoponax giving it a balsamic vib. I don't know if my nose is playing a game on me...knowing that this an Italian purfume, I swear that I'm able to detect a coffee note? Longevity and Silage is very good lasting between 6-8hrs In all, this is a elegant linear fragrance. There is subtle yet sold notes of floral and a warm myrrh aroma. After awhile, all the notes are fused together giving it a appealing powdery vib. Excellent for evening wear during the fall and winter months. As a side note...it's strange that the notes listed are definitey more of a spring/summer fragrance? I agree that it's a bit pricey, I was fortunate to get a deal for a much better price. 8/10

While I am not totally sold on this entire 'opera inspired' collection, I must say I rather like this one. It is a bit of a paradox as it is perhaps the most dense of the series of 4 due to the rose, the opoponax, and the patchouli. In other words this is a great interim main seasons option (spring & fall) or indeed perhaps even a 'winter cologne', if such a thing is even possible? The bottle is beautiful and I think it is 200ml, so you will get to enjoy it for a long time. However, in times like these I still cannot comprehend, why manufacturers still don't provide refills.......I think it should become a law to minimize waste and pollution. Verdict: Not a singing sensation, but a rather good effort for a Cologne (brand)! 7/10

@aaronmilic I agree about the ridiculous cost, but it is beautiful juice. You should be able to find it for around $200 for a 150ml. I picked up three of them myself about a month ago from one of the online retailers (fragrancebuy.ca, I believe.) Although this is called an Eau de Cologne by Acqua di Parma, it's 80% ABV (20% oils) so it's closer to an EDP. It's definitely got some legs to it.

Note Di Colonia IV reminds me of a more complex Italian version of Ambre Nuit by Christian Dior. Such a beautiful fragrance with this seductive fresh spicy amber rose going on that evokes the feeling of love at first sight and has you in love at first sniff. I love Note Di Colonia III as well and highly recommend it for anyone who likes IV.

It's crazy that Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus are selling this for $670 ($710 with taxes) when you can get the exact same bottle (BNIB) through a reputable online retailer for $198, and that's shipped. Tells you the kind of a markup we're dealing with here. Freakin' nuts.

DrRosie, can we please just stick to the subject of fragrances here and leave all the drama out? It’s really not the place to vent.

To me it smells like cola and bubblegum. Love it. This is a bit similar to ADP Note III.

Given its typical dramatic presence, it’s a surprise that Italian perfumery has not paid many tributes to opera. And when, finally, those babies appear, the question is how many condensed emotional outbursts one’s skin can bear. I’d say Note di Colonia IV is a such challenge. Thanks to the generous sample from Via Gesù, Milano, I could test this Manon on my skin several times to confidently say something at last. The top note immediately reminds me of the chewable citrus-basilic-coriander granules from Eau Sauvage Extreme, but in this case the dry Mandarin rind replaces fresh lemon, and black pepper replaces coriander— resulting in a much spicer olfactory palate. And as if this spicy and numbing effect is still not impressive enough, a good plume of orange blossom with a sweet balsamic note (likely Opoponax) dashes out at very unexpected places and times. And as time pass by, the moist and slightly salty labdanum-made drape magically appears on the central stage. All kinds of drama. In general I love this perfume but I admit that it needs quite a lot planning to maximize the fun. First I would only use it on my busier days, where a lot going on, and secondly I would spay it on my skin and conceal it by layers of clothes. It works like this: the spicy granules leaking though my clothes is my unisex cologne, allowing me to concentrate through office hours; the unexpected blossom entertains me briefly, as a coffee break. Finally, when I race to the gym, take off those layers and start to pirouette, a swirl of neroli and labdanum explode under my sweat, claiming the dancing floor from the other feisty bitches. This is a perfume with many ambitions in life.

A more disciplined better balanced version of Fragonard's Fleur d'Oranger, something I already like. In this orange blossom send-up the orange blossom scent provides a nice light feel of freshness just like the Fragonard scent but that freshness is a bit more tamed and grounded by the hints of labdanum, patchouli and opoponax. Pulling down the sharp corners of orange blossom is not a bad thing.

I love how Acqua di Parma has a very unique DNA, which always makes it into their products. And while IV is indeed lovely, the performance is too abysmal for the price point. AdP's Achilles heel has been longevity, and given the exorbitant price for this one, it's one of the few fragrances I've ever returned.

Not a 1:1, but the opening reminds me of Mancera Black Gold. A slightly fruitier/floral version of Note III.

Out of the first 4 of these Notes versions (yet to try "V") I think this is my least favorite, but it's not bad. Main notes that jump out to me are the neroli and the rose with a bit of the manadarine on the edge. As it dries it gets a little sweeter and a mild green and amber smell comes through. It's not bad but I can't justify the cost of this one. I think I'd rather go for Mirra given the choice which shares some aspects but goes a lot deeper on the amber aspect and drops the rose. The Notes IV vibe is more elegant but a little less interesting to me. If you want something more to that style but cheaper (and I think better personally) then Nicolai Neroli Intense works well.

First of all, the pyramid above is not complete. There is a lot more going on in there, especially in the floral heart of this composition The first whiff, which I perceived as citrus-floral and very heady, reminded me of Guerlain’s Jardins de Bagatelle quite distinctly. After that, some herbal-earthy notes chimed in making it too odd for me. Half an hour later the whole composition became consistently annoying. The problem is, this fragrance lacks the perfect balance it should have while playing in this price category. As a client, I feel I’m not being taken quite seriously in the face of such product. The only good thing about it is the bottle design, at least at the first glimpse. When you look closer, you might notice minor imperfections in the workmanship, such as the black lettering on the label is bleeding when it gets wet, which is a “no, no” for me when I’m spending €345 per bottle, sorry!

The perfume is delicate. The bottle is huge so you'll have a lot of juice for years to come. The first sniff recalls me Egoiste strongly. They vibrate on the same "weird" bouquet between artificial and natural oils and flowers. Sadly, after some time IV starts to smell like a graveyard with those rotten flowers... It's FOR ME a pungent headache-inducing Magnolia scent although magnolia isn’t included in the list of ingredients, but since I have the Magnolia scent from Acqua I can confidently associate it to! It's a no go for me. I can't smell any of the ambery items listed. No blind buy! Try it first on a good Perfume Shop or get a sample from a qualitative online perfume shop.

Note IV opens up with a balsamic, dark incense resin—imbued by floral aldehydes and constitutes that give the fragrance an extremely vibrant brightness and sweetness. The complexity does go a step beyond this, as I also get a selection of citrus constitutes, that adds to the character of the fragrance. And although they don't seem entirely natural, make the fragrance feel more natural in essence. The incense accord is highly dominant as the fragrance settles. The A-typical person looking for incense in a fragrance is going to eat this up I would think. It's strong—but not crude. Golden in color with its sweetness and abrasive qualities. I do find it very enjoyable and pleasant. If I had to highlight a short-coming, I hate to say this, but it is a little understimulating for me. It reminds me of something like a four topping pizza from a deluxe pizza shop—only you don't get to pick the toppings. And it's like onions—then some sweeter toppings—but they're skimpy. Projection and longevity are very sufficient. Certainly though, this should only be the standard of quality for any design house or niche house fragrance. Most people should find this fragrance very enjoyable. The floral constitutes do give it a perfumey feeling, but the incense is very basey, and I think it lays strong pipe to praise as unisex. For a man, maybe best worn as something meditative at home. For a woman, worn as something flashy to stand out in the crowd. An honorable entry in the Note di Colonia line by humble considerations.

Most of the time I try to buy fragrances that feel like 'me'. Ones that complement, or at least not clash too much, with my rather plain-looking visage and casual, uncomplicated wardrobe. This fragrance does not quite feel like me, but I love it. It smells like the kind of person it's fun to fantasise being, sort of like playing dress-up but with fragrance. It's sophisticated and classy and very Italian, yet it's got a friendliness about it. It's like meeting a wealthy Italian man (or woman) for a coffee on a beautiful sunlit piazza in autumn. They're impeccably dressed in obviously expensive, yet not overly formal, attire, and despite their flawless table manners they have an air of conviviality about them. Kiss on the cheek, a warm smile, easy-going conversation. bl.fak's description of sun-filled afternoons and balmy evenings in Buenos Aires also resonates, though I've never been there. "Elegant but playful, classic but progressive, and somehow nostalgic for the future - for sunny days and sumptuous nights that are yet to come". Perfectly summed up. To me there is no honey though, and feels mostly like an interplay between the sweet resinous opoponax and the cheerful orange blossom, filled out with some rose. Yes, fairly linear in terms of scent profile, but certainly captivating enough for me in terms of the images it conjures up.

@NelsonTheInhaler “It’s giving ignorant white person” as if you aren’t blowing shit out of proportion. You making insults of supposed “ignorance” (when your demographic is objectively the least educated and most ignorant) honestly just proves how ridiculous you guys are. As a minority, no one wants to hear your pitiful sob stories, especially when you live in a time where black people loot, face no repercussions, then cry racism when you aren’t treated like a baby 24/7. Also, I doubt any racial profiling went on, as not everything is racially motivated. I don’t go into airports and assume some rude flight attendant is treating me poorly because I’m Assyrian. I have a feeling, if a problematic event did occur, it was simply because someone was being an asshat... not because she’s black. It’s 2026, I promise you that no one cares about race anymore as much as you do. (Btw, I’ll add a proper review after I receive it in the mail)

@PapaTLooch and @RawSmells allow people to write that which they like, especiallyif they dont offend anyone. If you don't like it skip it or simply ignore. No need to show the world how insensitive you are people's struggle. Its giving 'ignorant white person'