Off the first spray this instantly feels richer and deeper than the original. The opening still carries that signature Cedrat Boise brightness with Sicilian citrus and blackcurrant, giving it a sharp, fruity freshness, but the addition of warm spices makes the start feel slightly darker and more mature. As it settles, the fragrance quickly reveals a much fuller heart where leather, patchouli and sandalwood take control, giving the scent a smooth woody depth with a subtle smoky edge. There’s also a hint of oud and jasmine that adds richness and sophistication, making the composition feel more luxurious and structured rather than purely fresh. In the dry down, vanilla, ambergris, oakmoss and white musk bring warmth and longevity, turning the fragrance into a creamy, woody-amber scent that sits confidently on the skin for hours. The vanilla softens the darker notes while the oakmoss keeps everything grounded and slightly earthy. Performance is strong, I easily get 8–10+ hours with solid projection early on, leaving a noticeable citrus-woody trail that feels refined and masculine. Overall rating: 9.1/10 Yes this intense pushes the woods, leather and vanilla further forward, making it feel smoother, richer and more mature whereas the original feels brighter, fruitier and more playful with its citrus-forward freshness. The DNA is clearly the same, but the Intense version feels heavier, darker and more evening-ready, while the original remains the fresher and more versatile daytime option. Definitely not redundant owning both even if they do have slight overlap so yes I definitely would purchase the full bottle of the Intense.

Vick’s / Vap-o-Rub — fighting off a bit of a chest cold today, so it’s been rest, dry sauna and DayQuil for me 😷🤷🏼‍♂️