Frenetic Homme Intense

Notes & Nuances

Frenetic Homme Intense jumps right into the iris – a powdery, slightly lipsticky interpretation. The opening is a touch harsher than Dior Homme Intense (DHI), a bit more synthetic, but it quickly settles. I pick up the lavender and sage, which add a herbal freshness that prevents it from becoming overly sweet. The pear note is subtle. As it dries down, the cedar and vetiver create a woody backbone, but that iris remains the star. The leather is more of a suggestion than a dominant note. I'd say it captures about 92% of the DHI DNA, mostly missing the smoother, more refined edges of the original.

The Verdict

Frenetic Homme Intense is a great daily driver for cooler weather. It's versatile enough for the office or a night out. It's not a perfect 1:1, but the slight differences aren’t deal-breakers. But for everyday wear, this clone offers excellent value and gets you remarkably close to that iconic iris scent. Buy it.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is pretty good. I get a solid 6-7 hours with moderate projection for the first two, then it sits closer to the skin. It won't fill a room, but it creates a nice scent bubble. A couple more sprays will help boost the performance.