Intense Black

The Scent Profile

Intense Black opens with a blast of pink peppercorn, almost medicinal. The lemon and bergamot are fleeting, less like fresh citrus and more like lemon-scented cleaner. The heart reveals some woodiness, but the cedar is overshadowed by a peculiar green bitterness from the angelica and galbanum combination, akin to crushed weeds. The drydown attempts to emulate the oud of Royal Oud but comes across as a scratchy sandalwood mixed with a musty, damp wood accord. It lacks the smooth, almost creamy quality of the original, settling instead into a synthetic, slightly plasticky base.

The Verdict

If Intense Black were a movie character, it would be the well-intentioned but slightly awkward understudy who tries hard but never quite captures the charisma of the lead.

The Performance Stats

The longevity is respectable, clocking in at around 6 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, extending about an arm's length, before settling closer to the skin. I wore this to a business meeting and it felt slightly out of place, perhaps better suited for a casual evening out or running errands.