This review comes immediately after that of the progenitor
L'Homme Idéal Eau de Toilette, so it is pretty natural for me to compare the two fragrances and find the points where they converge or diverge.
"L'Homme Idéal L'Intense | Guerlain" reveals itself in a similar way to
Bentley Infinite Intense and apparently looks quite distinct from
L'Homme Idéal Eau de Toilette. From the very beginning, the chilli pepper lights up a lively and enveloping tonka bean with its multifaceted warm spices. I miss the creaminess of the orange blossom, here replaced by the balminess of mild green cardamom. The greenish pods provide a cooling effect for a moment. Unfortunately, I can barely perceive the bitter and nutty almond, a trademark in the Idéal line, which is somewhat muffled and drowned among other notes. In its place, I hear a whisper of cherry, not juicy but relatively dry. In a way, it reminds me of cherry and tobacco. The cherry vibe is there but in the background, and you have to sniff precisely to detect it. That said, the openness isn't poor at all, and I love it. Thick, warm, sweet and a little dark.
As the scent enters the next stage, it becomes rosy and leathery. With a masculine slant, the rose blends gracefully with the initial spiciness and balances both the resinous cistus and the refined leather. A leather note is the anchor of this fragrance, and while it may not be the most intense note in the bouquet, it is always there. What I get is a smooth suede shadiness. Here I get an oriental character, but not too dark or opulent. Again, L'Intense has a distinct aroma to the OG, lacking the bittersweet edge of the amaretto.
The smoky notes associated with the tremendous dark vanilla tincture characterize a decidedly intriguing fragrance on the finish. It has a smokiness very similar to incense. A hint of chocolatey patchouli adds a kind of darkness, while tonka contributes its sweetness. I don't particularly smell anything that dirty or bold about this one. The woody facet comes from the creamy sandalwood, perceptible if I smell the perfume next to my skin. When the smoke subsides after that initial explosion, vanilla wood, leather, and tonka bean are the notes that close the curtain. The longer it sits, the smoother it gets.
My final verdict, L’Homme Idéal L’Intense is anything but a flanker. I have presumably tested it side by side with the OG, and they progress in separate ways from start to finish. It has excellent longevity and medium sillage but quickly turns into a skin perfume, and it doesn't project like a monster. Seasonally, it is to be worn in fall and winter all the way through. The spicy, smoky and tart aspects lend themselves exceptionally well to colder temperatures. I like it, but I find it less unique than the original.
I base the review on a decant I have owned since June 2018.
-Elysium
Top Notes 
Almond
Cardamom
Chili
Heart Notes 
Bulgarian rose
Cistus
Leather
Base Notes 
Sandalwood
Smoky notes
Vanilla
Patchouli
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