Tanasuk

Scent Breakdown

Tanasuk opens with a surprisingly bright floral burst, less jammy than Intense Café, but undeniably there. The heart quickly reveals the rose and coffee accord. It's a good dupe, roughly 92% similar to Montale’s creation. The coffee note isn't as rich, leaning slightly more synthetic and bitter, less like a dark roast and more like instant coffee granules. The dry down is where Tanasuk shines; the vanilla and musk create a warm, comforting sweetness that smooths out the initial harsh edges. The amber adds a touch of depth. It captures the essence of Intense Café, but lacks the expensive, almost oily, feel of the original.

Wear time & Sillage

Projection is moderate for the first two hours, leaving a noticeable scent trail. Longevity is impressive; I get a solid 7-8 hours on skin and even longer on clothes. It settles closer to the skin after the initial burst, becoming a more intimate scent bubble. Be careful on the sprays; overdoing it will amplify the synthetic aspects of the coffee. If you crave the rose-coffee-vanilla vibe of Intense Café but balk at the price, this is a solid alternative. The original offers a smoother, more refined experience, but is it ten times better? Probably not. This is for the person who wants to project a cozy, slightly edgy, romantic aura without breaking the bank. Someone who appreciates a good deal and doesn’t mind a touch of synthetic charm. Worth a blind buy if you love the DNA.