L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense

If you're anything like me, you have a bit of a soft spot for Issey Miyake fragrances. I remember going to the USA in 1998 and buying a bottle of Issey Miyake's iconic Pour Homme and it being an absolute game changer. It felt like everyone was wearing it, it had such a buzz. It smelt like nothing else I'd ever got my nose on. I stopped wearing it in the mid 00s and save for one brief dalliance with Pour Homme Sport (which had a broken atomiser and was a bit underwhelming) I never really went back to them. I picked up La Sel D'Issey recently and was very impressed though; particularly about how it does its own thing but harks back in a nicely retrospective way to the original. When I found out Jacques Cavallier Belletrud did an intense version of the OG for Issey Miyake a couple of months back I figured I had to get my nose on it as he can basically do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. The same thing I enjoyed about LSDI is very much what Pour Homme Intense is all about and I'm absolutely here for it. This is a deeper, richer and more complex fragrance than the original but unmistakably linked to it. It evokes it in a very clever way without smelling like it. PHI is a massive, soaring powerhouse of a fresh fragrance that is a hot weather staple for many people. The first thing you notice are the spices running through the heart, tempering the sweetness of the head notes and pushing the bergamot and orange blossom in a really nice direction. We see Jacques Cavallier do this with the fresh citruses in the top of Meteore and Imagination for LV and this is not a million miles away from that in terms of feel, though it is more complex and there is a lot more going on. Like Meteore and Imagination this has formidable sticking power performance for a freshie as well. It doesn't smell like either of these two: it isn't soapy and it doesn't have a black or green tea accord, but instead has a really interesting incense and papyrus base where you'd normally expect some wood of some kind. There is some amber in it as well but not heavy or sticky, and I think it is there in the background just adding a bit of confidence and tenacity to what is quite an individual freshie. I tend to eschew freshies in that rather generic style as I just find them a bit.. well generic. But this has a bit of individuality that I really enjoy. That incense in the base shouldn't work but it really does. There is some saffron and lotus flower in the heart that just works so well. It is a fabulously blended piece of perfumery. It is one where you have to give it some time on the skin to see past that "fresh citrus" label and get what it is about and it is a hugely rewarding experience when you do. It isn't your common garden variety freshie and has real class and a serious bit of power behind it. I love this. It is right up my street. I even like how it shimmers on the skin and you get more of the amber and benzoin in the drydown. It isnt just boring linear fragrance - this has a bit of complexity too. We're coming into summer here in Dubai now and this is going to be in a heavy a rotation as my other favourite fresh reaches, which are also Jacques Cavallier Belletrud creations, funnily enough. I read reports that this is discontinued and that is a pity because it is way better than 95% of the fresh generic summer fragrances out there on the market. I think I will be picking up another couple of bottles to put away before they disappear. Three Word Summary - Summer Fresh Intensity Scent - 8/10 Drydown - 8/10 Sillage - 7/10 Bottle/packaging - 7/10 Performance - 8/10 38/40

(Review of 125ml Bottle) I am incredibly disappointed to say that - as an Issey Miyake fan, through and through - I must be a rare case when it comes to L'eau d'Issey Intense, as this thing doesn't project or stay on my skin very long at all. Which sucks, because if it was, this would absolutely be an all-day daily driver. I start my review with this just as a quick disclaimer because for most, it really does seem like this fragrance lasts a fair bit of time for them and projects very well, so maybe I just got an odd batch or my skin chemistry isn't really there for this one! I'll update this review or post another should my experience change. All that being said, despite my own experience, I really love this scent. It smells like L'eau d'Issey and Nuit d'Issey had an eclectic child. It has the freshness of L'eau with the resinous depth of Nuit. Many people get a predominantly citrusy and incense type scent with this one - I get a much earthier, greener, smokier experience with my skin. Opens with a strong splash of yuzu and some other sweeter citruses, and an eternal incense/amber combo. I say eternal because this scent for me is dominated by this combination, and warps around it fluidly. I also find that these accords stick to my clothes the most. With a hurried fervor, this fragrance starts to project a ton of spice and a bit of earth. There's some airiness in there, like a freshness that might be residual from the citrus opening but is almost green and floral in nature. It evokes a distinctively rich brown color in my mind with deep streaks of green permeating it's form. The bark of a tree in rural Japan, perhaps - one battered by the elements but still refusing to tumble. Once this scent dries down through that spicy interlude, you're greeted with that incense note that has been floating around since the beginning, now accompanied by that unbelievable resinous amber. It remains fresh, despite being so deep into the fragrance's life thus far. The ghost of that opening yuzu informs the scent, even now. The incense is airy and light while still delivering punchy smokiness and without stepping into churchy or gothic territory. The amber provides much needed body and is almost funky, balanced beautifully with a delicate, dry woodiness. It all fits together so brilliantly. I can only describe it as being on the edge of a forest as a brisk wind carries an ancient earthiness with it as it quietly brushes across the bottom of your nose. The scent reminds you to light a stick of incense as you watch the wind rustle the leaves. A sip of a citrus concoction - easy on the sugar, so you get that tartness and bitter aftertaste. It's a meditative scene, and quite tranquil. And yet, you feel the metaphorical beating heart of the forest that lays before you. An eternal thump. Maybe it was the wind? It's genuinely really impressive that for such a cheap price, you can get an experience like this fragrance. You can get a full 4.2oz tester of this for like $25. And even if you're as unlucky as I am - you'll still be happy with it. I find myself using this before running errands for some time, and when I get home, I enjoy the remaining dry down. Insanely versatile, year round smell. Very brilliant juice in this one, and an underrated rival to Issey Miyake's other incredibly iconic scents.

This was my first 'nice' fragrance. The first one I purchased for myself. I made this decision based on reviews and research, and I purchased it online without prior knowledge, a blind buy. There wasn't anywhere nearby at the time to sample it. It was cheap enough to roll the dice, and I'm glad I did. This is very unique. Even as my small meager collection has expanded, I find myself drawn back to this bottle. It is probably the closest thing to a 'signature' smell that I have. It is the fragrance I have had the longest, and worn the most. It also has gotten the most compliments. The incense in this is incredibly well done. It is very prominent but doesn't necessarily overdose the scent if that makes sense. They perfectly balanced the incense notes. I like the citrus, you don't see citrus and incense combined typically, especially not like this. Plus, Yuzu is a very unique citrus, different from a lot of the Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit that seem to dominate male citrus fragrances. Performance is great. Not necessarily super powerful beast mode, but I don't want it to be. This is perfect for school or work, as you will get between 6-9 hours out of it, in my experience. Near the end, it becomes a skin scent and lingers at that strength for some time. I don't believe you have to worry about overspray with this. So long as you don't go crazy, I think even 3-6 sprays are doable, and may help with performance. I would recommend, if you are going heavy on the sprays, to apply it well in advance, giving the fragrance a chance to settle. I usually do about 4, sometimes 5 sprays, and have never had any issue or complaint with over-projection. I think this is wearable easily year-round. The incense gives it enough warmth for the winter and fall, but the citrus and general light, airiness of the incense keeps it light enough for summer and spring. Simple enough to not be distracting or overpowering, but unique enough to stand out. As I said before, my most complimented fragrance and these compliments came from nearly every vector, friends, family, coworkers, strangers, and workers at various stores and restaurants I was at while wearing it. It may be biased slightly, as I've had this scent the longest and worn it the most, but compared to just about every other bottle I have, this seems to be enjoyed by most other people. I don't believe in recommending blind buying any scent. They are all so different, and our sense of smell and skin chemistry are all unique, but this one is cheap enough (less than 40$, easily, last I bought it) that I don't think most people would feel bad rolling the dice. If you are looking to get into fragrances and expand beyond standard hygiene products and body sprays, this is an excellent choice, in my opinion. Affordable, and readily available.

This is really gorgeous and complex, but you can see that just by looking at the "reminds me of..." section above. I'm done being surprised by issey miyake fragrances. Every time I get my nose on something, it instantly reminds me of something that I can't quite put my finger on and it drives me nuts. I think that's the benefit of having the OG around for so long and regarded as such a ubiquitous classic in most community eyes. It's difficult to recall exactly how the OG smells when catching a hit of one of the flankers, but it shares enough of the original DNA to make the whole experience familiar. To me, this is all about the introduction of that beautiful incense note, but combined with this really old-school musk. The incense and smoke isn't anywhere near the level of an Encre Noir a l'extreme, or anything like that, but you can tell the two are cousins in a sense (get it?! Sorry 😔). At the same time, the musk is almost something I'd expect more from a Narcisco Rodriguez perfume. It's the backbone of the fragrance that everything else hangs on, but it's also so well blended that it never overpowers any of the other notes as the fragrance dries down to its heart. The best analogy I can come up with is music (I'm certain no one has ever thought of this analogy before... Pretty sure anyway... Ok, it gets used all the time.): think of the musk as the base (the instrument) that plays on steady, lending the foundation, or, (in a really obnoxious know-it-all-voice) the "base note", if you will (brilliant!). A foundation that is constant but never rises above the melody. The incense then is like the singer or lead instrument in charge of the melody. The amber is the rhythm guitar... and the yuzu (or something else with citrus/fruit) is a faint piano that adds depth... and... and... Shit! I messed up. I can't pick up any more notes. Now I don't have a drummer... Somebody, pick me up and finish this thought, please! Also, I think fragrantica should just change its "notes" section to an image of a stage where we can add the notes from the fragrance to the spots where an instrument would go. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else, but I'm in too deep to stop now and I'm procrastinating to avoid what I really should be doing at the moment. So yeah, this Issey Miyake hat... jacket? Whatever we were just talking about is really great 👍. I mean, it's also dirt cheap compared to anything else of the same quality and there's something about saying the name Issey Miyake that's just a lot of fun. So in summation: don't go on fragrantica when you have more important shit to do!

I'm not usually a fan of ambergris-heavy fragrances, but I'd heard this was an incense bomb, which I'm always down for, so I gave it a shot. Boy howdy, what a good call. This has the exact kind of incense I like. Dry, smokey, austere. Like frankincense burning in another room. No gross, powdery, cloying, coca cola incense here. Just a superdose of the good stuff. That being said, the yuzu is also very present, and I can definitely see why that note is getting hate in these reviews. I find the bitterness misplaced in this composition, and it comes off clunky and annoying, and particularly seems to fight with the ambergris in an unpleasant way. Luckily, that bitterness fades by the mid and you get a bit more of the other citruses. No one overpowers any other, so it's just sort of a generic citrus. That's about when the ambergriss starts coming out more. It's definitely AmbergrisTM, but I don't mind it. It plays off the incense well enough that it just becomes a musky smokiness that smells very masculine, but remains soft. Beneath all of that is what I'm assuming is the lotus accord, which presents as a cleany, soapy water smell. I don't really get any of the spices. No nutmeg, no cinnamon, and thankfully no cardamom, which is such an overdone note in everything these days that I'm quite thankful I can't detect it here. I don't get papyrus either. Nothing papery about this, to my nose. Great sillage and lasts all day, but mellows by the end of the wear time to not quite a skin scent. It's still noticeable, but softer than it was at the opening. Very masculine. Might skew a bit more toward the 30+ crowd, but not because it smells old or anything. It's just definitely something more staid and confident and together feeling than a lot of these bubblegum vape juice fragrances the yutes seem to prefer these days. It feels more unique and interesting than a lot of aquatics. I'd also call this a great incense fragrance, though I've never seen it come up on any great incense fragrance lists. It's got a beautiful white smoke and soap vibe to it that almost reminds me of Passage D'Enfer from L'Artisan, though they don't really smell alike. Overall, a great fragrance and a solid purchase. I paid thirty bucks for a brand new 100 ml bottle, and at that price, even if I hardly ever wear this, it's a steal. I'd highly recommend this if you like a mellow incense number.

Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Intense. Now that’s a name. I refuse to type that out another twenty times, so I hereby christen it “Intense” for the rest of the review. Intense, like the others in the original trio made by Jacques Cavallier (OG L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme, Intense, & Bleue) is interesting. Kind of borders on weird actually. If you like liminal stuff, like The Backrooms, Early Issey Miyake’s have an odd liminal quality to me. In Intense, it starts off with sweet orange and smoky incense. There’s spice, but that’s a surprise tool that’ll help us later. A black leather note comes in soon after, and I kind of get a sporty new car smell. The original L’Eau D’Issey had a warm nutmeg come in by now, Intense is pretty cold by the time the heart notes waft in. A review here mentioned an odd paper note, and yeah, there’s a papery thing going on for a bit too. Okay, so we’ve got oranges, incense, leather, and paper. This is shaping up to be a really weird fragrance. But the weirdest part is that as bizarre as that all sounds, it works amazingly well here. If I had to describe Intense in one word, it would be “Urbane.” The base is a sweet amber that finally adds some warmth to this composition, then there’s a spiciness that adds depth. The nutmeg from the original makes a cameo in the base here. All of this with two sprays persists for a good 9-10 hours with restrained projection (this is a good thing). So what makes this more intense than the original? Maybe the boost of sweetness, coupled with a denser “feel” over all is what makes it Intense. With that in mind, Intense is a great complement to the original, a nighttime version that also is great for cold/rainy days. It’s cool and casual, but can work in a modern formal context too. Of course it seems Intense has been discontinued like Bleue D’Issey, but it can still be found for under $40 at discounters. I suppose they ditched it because A: It’s unexpectedly weird at first & B: An actual Nuit D’Issey came out seven years after Intense in 2014. They still make that one, so I guess it’s more popular. Overall, If you want a taste of the weirder side of Issey Miyake, give Intense a try, just leave some stock for me...

You have to raise the ceiling of your positive expectations when you hear the name of the great and veteran French perfumer Jacques Cavllier, the owner of great successes in the world of perfumes... and the owner of the unique blend that made up our perfume for this day. The beginning is citrusy, refreshing and bright, but it has a sharpness due to the yuzu note, so some may not prefer it, however, this layer will pass after about 15 minutes, and it is the part that reminds you of the smell of the first and most famous perfume from this house. The fragrance enters the heart notes into a spice character with a clear presence of lotus flower and nutmeg, and the conclusion is dominated by luxurious incense with touches of the pleasant herbal papyrus scent. The perfume is professionally mixed, to present a completely unique and very elegant scent, which will make you distinct from everyone if you wear it, because there is no other perfume similar to it. Especially after the wave of blue perfumes, ambroxan and sweet notes, this perfume deserves to be (the signature) for lovers of exclusivity. Incense and spice components make the fragrance masculine, complex and mysterious, but it is not dark, coarse, or heavy. Its smell is unobtrusive and does not cause headaches even if you spray more. Lotus, papyrus, citrus and nutmeg softened the fragrance very much, making it wearable in most seasons, occasions, times and even office work, however, I prefer it in spring and autumn, especially in the evening. As I said, the perfume has innovation, creativity and complex scents, so it will not be easy for those who are new to the world of perfume to discover its beauty from the first spray, and it needs patience and multiple times of wearing. And I think you will be a fan of it, especially if you like encre noir, Acqua di Giò Profumo and Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum and you are over 30 years old.

The opening is a sharp citrus, led by yuzu and sweet orange with an airy feel. It’s not overly bright, as a noticeable dark, slightly smoky woody base is present immediately, giving contrast and depth right from the start. As it moves through the first couple hours, the citrus softens and becomes more rounded while still leading, with a subtle floral sweetness supporting it and a warming core beginning to build. In the mid, the citrus and florals begin to fall back as resinous smoky woods take over, forming the backbone of the scent. A growing amber warmth adds a touch of sweetness and smoothness, balancing the dryness of the smoke and woods. The composition becomes more blended and slightly denser, shifting focus away from freshness toward a warm, resinous, and smoky profile. The drydown is centered on smoky amber woods, with the wood becoming more pronounced and the smoke and slight amber sweetness rounding things out. It gradually pulls back in projection but maintains its warm, resinous character until the end, lasting about 6 hours and finishing as a smooth, woody, lightly sweet skin scent. This is what I wanted the normal Pour Homme to be. A darker, more masculine version of the OG. The performance is better, while still not crazy good, and the dark base is enjoyable. Overall a great value for the price, though if you aren’t a fan of the Yuzu and the florals I can understand not enjoying this. Because those aspects are noteworthy.. Edit: Ended up selling as it occupied a similar role to YSL Y EDP and some other incense blue type fragrances and I felt this was redundant. Still an excellent scent but I didn’t reach for this as much as I thought. 7/10

This is the smell of dewy dark green color. Fragrance is manly, fresh and mysterious. It's woodsy, green, watery fresh, bit smokey. I have never smelled edt but I'm quite loving this. Perfect for evening especially little colder ones, magic with quiet simplicity and minimalism. Damn! Update after 4 days: it's winter n idk what kind of addiction I'm getting. I live on the 42nd flloor in Toronto n in here the air is quite thin and cold. I keep going out in balcony with like 8-10 sprays of this n love the vibe haha. My wife says she can't smell it from normal distance so it hardly projects from me. But when you smell it, it's a quite addicting green spicy smell. It quite reminds me of Devil's tree flowers in winter also known as Saptapati or Saatparni. Reminds me of my childhood in Indian winter. Nostalgic! This is insane. I have been looking for a fragrance that smelled like Devil's tree flowers in chilly nights but nothing gave me that vibe. I even purchased perfume oil of Saat parni from Kannauj based authentic Indian traditional perfumery but still wasn't excited about the smell. Now, this out of nowhere appeared and I truely never expected that I would get this ever in my life, never ever knew about it. It definitely smells like all the facets I would want if I would want to make a perfume out of that green spicy sweet white flowers lingering in the iced cold night. It smells like that ambiance in a little bit of modern man perfumy manner if that's understandable. Plus, I would love to wear this perfume in that exact ambiance as well which makes this quite special for me.

Woah!! What a gorgeous scent! I'd never experienced an Issey Miyake fragrance before, and Im so so glad I started with L'eau D'issey Intense! It was probably a great place to start. Such an olfactory journey for such an affordable fragrance! Opens with this deep, citrusy, inscencey, masculine scent. Then it dries down to a very ultra clean, slightly smokey inscence (beautiful). definately appropriate from office to formal situations. Im also surprised at the great performance this brings, it's hard to say how long this last on skin (I always find folks exaggerate when they claim anything lasts 6 to 8 hrs on skin), but on clothes,.. I could still smell this the next day and it even changed a bit in that "far drydown" as well into such an ultra clean linen like scent. Absolutely stunning fragrance! This is not a projection beast, but again it really lasts at least 7-8 hours on clothes, but can still easily be detected well beyond that. I ended up purchasing a 2oz bottle, as I have well over 50 fragrances in my collection, but I sorta regret not getting the 4oz bottle bc I would hate for lLeau d'issey Intense to be reformulated or worse DISCONTINUED by the time I'm finished with this current bottle. Definately back-up bottle worthy imo, and I've only ever thought that about a handful of ftags before. I dont normally gush about fragrances like this, but the price just DOES NOT match the quality of L'eau D'issey Intense. Cannot wait to try some of the other offerings they have. 10 outta 10 fragrance imo.. Must have for any man over 25 I feel.. toral gem😉

This fragrance definitely comes across as richer and more structured than the original Eau d’Issey, and it clearly leans a bit more toward the cooler seasons. At the same time, though, it carries plenty of the original Eau d’Issey Pour Homme DNA — instantly recognizable and unmistakable from the opening all the way through to the drydown. The signature is stamped in bold, no doubt about it. The citrus notes still open the show, bright and fresh, but they quickly get wrapped up in deeper facets like incense (new here, not in the OG) and amber (which was there before, though in a lighter touch). That said, I wouldn’t pigeonhole this Intense version as just an autumn/winter fragrance. To me, it works across most of the year — I’d only avoid it in the coldest winter nights or the hottest summer days. Fresh summer evenings? Totally wearable. True to Miyake’s style, it’s elegant, understated, with a contained sillage and a soft but noticeable scent bubble. Thanks to the boosted composition, it performs better than the original Eau d’Issey: on my skin it comfortably goes 6 hours, and it lingers even longer on clothes. Overall, a fragrance I really enjoyed — and honestly, at €25, it felt almost like stealing. Chances are it’s discontinued (no trace on the official Issey Miyake site, and none in the catalogs of two perfume retailers I asked to check). So if you’re curious about it, I’d suggest grabbing a bottle before it’s gone for good.

I have had this fragrance in my rotation for a couple of months, and here are my findings: I don't think it's sweet at all—like, there is no sweetness at all, which is good. I don't think it's fresh (or at least not in a fresh fruit, ocean-like, shower gel way), which is also good. Nowadays, every guy under 30 smells like a pastry shop (Azzaro TMW, Armani SWY, etc.) or like they just got out of the shower or, of course, like Sauvage. The best way I can describe it is that it smells like a spice (like an actual dried leaf). It's very unique, as is common with Issey Miyake pieces (which don't get enough attention, in my opinion), and it definitely has a masculine aspect to it. I don't really know what the simple L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme smells like, so I can't compare them to each other, but this one has its own character.The performance is okay, but for the price and concentration, it is on the better side of the spectrum. It projects to around 0.5-0.6 m (1.6-2 ft) in the first 30-40 minutes, then it sits closer to the skin, but still noticeable for around 2 hours. It turns into a skin scent in the last segment, and the overall longevity is around 5-6 hours. It is fairly versatile, but definitely better for colder weather and special occasions; you don't want to wear this at work. Overall: For the price (Although there are negative aspects to it, it's still a steal) 9/10 Scent: 9/10 Projection: 7/10 Longevity: 8/10

L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense is a citrus, spicy and woody fragrance. The opening is citrus, it has similarities with the original and now classic L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme, but it changes after a few minutes increasing the presence of spices such as nutmeg (characteristic in several flankers of L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme). cardamom and saffron. What I like the most is the balance between citrus and spices, very much in the style of classic citrus fragrances, but with the peculiar style of Issey Miyake. Once it reaches its drying phase, a base of incense, wood and amber remains that I loved. This fragrance is, as its name says, more intense, especially in spices, but despite that, the citrus is also still present, which makes this fragrance very versatile, it could almost be used in any season of the year, for office work , casual outings, outdoor outings, etc. Maybe it could be more enjoyable for mature people than for young people, due to the classic structure it has, but you already know that that is subjective. Its longevity is still very good, at least between 9 and 10 hours, with good sillage the first few hours. Sometimes I think that Bleu de Chanel was inspired by fragrances like this, since it has the citrus, woody, incensed and spicy structure, but that's just a thought of mine. If you find it, don't hesitate to try it, I loved it.

I love Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme Intense. I wore it today and I felt inspired to mention some things about it. Before wearing it today, I hadn't worn it in about a year. I got my bottle of it in late 2020, and I've been enjoying it since I first got it. My bottle has aged, and I find that it's become something like honeyed and/or muskier than before. I truly like it. I think that if someone likes this Issey Miyake fragrance, then they might also like Amouage Imitation Woman, Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely EDP, and Amouage Bracken Woman (three fragrances which I feel are unisex and not very similar to this Issey Miyake fragrance, but they might appeal to someone who likes it because they are slightly similar to it and different from it at the same time). Any fragrance collector like myself would insist on owning at least one bottle of Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme Intense. I own two bottles of it, and I plan on wearing it much more often than I have been. I'm thinking that I might like wearing it when the weather is humid, but this fragrance is something I enjoy all year round.

L'Eau d'Issey Intense opens up strong, very different from the original which has that citrusy spritz that serves as the perfect pick-me-up in the summer mornings. With this version, I get a blast of woods and incense, though these are well blended and it is hard to detect the timing of each note. I don't think the overall effect is "intense" but rather more "heavy". I find this to be a completely different sort of fragrance, either way it is well done, and has a richness to it that the original lacked. I must also say that the longevity is quite good. For the first 8 hours it will stay prominently on your skin and project 1-2 arms lengths for a good 2-3 hours, before settling into a closer scent bubble. What really surprised me was around 12 hours later it was still lingering as a close skin scent. If you can pick up the 2.5oz bottle online for around $28 like I did on Fragrance Net, then I say go ahead and add it to your cart, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Granted, I'm 44 years old, so this scent profile may not appeal to the much younger guys in their 20's.

Just received this and worn a couple times so this is initial impressions. The citrus leans drier, not quite bitter but not a sweet juicy version and I do enjoy it. The lotus is prominent with an aquatic floral scent with a sharp greenness background kind of like the smell the stems would give. The incense is also noticeable from the start but it’s not any ashy smell. I’m guessing the cardamom supports that bitter green smell and papyrus plays into the incense. I bought my wife the women’s Issey a year ago and there is some carryover in notes and similar smell, mainly that lotus. Overall a familiar scent with subtle nuances that keep it from being generic. I can see this being a good spring and summer scent, worth buying if you’re missing that kind of scent in your collection. Edit 7/18: I have worn this a good amount this summer and put a descent dent in my bottle. I enjoy the smokiness that plays off the freshness, not the same scent but think ADG Parfum/profumo stylistically. I get great performance and works well in higher heat, to me its a great value.

Bought this for my man, it was a blind buy, as Leau d' Issey EDT is my favorite perfume. Fresh out of the bottle the first time we sprayed it it was so different, I definitely was expecting a wild card and this delivered. This colonge is very unique when compared with the common colognes worn in the states. Definitely still has the leau d'issey DNA but it has complexity and layers. It's fresh and aquatic, yet smoky with subtle hints on intense that seems to lightly drift around with this. Being an EDT is has surprising performance and projection. There is something about Issey miyake fragrances that just intoxicate me, they are so delicate, sophisticated, fresh, and complex. Every scent I've tried from this house is incredible and somehow very comforting. I love this cologne the more I smell it the more I crave it. I've even been wearing this layered with my leau d'issey and it's heavenly. I've always been a huge fan of unisex smells, and when this layers with the female edt it softens the masculinity just enough for my liking

Intense must be a typo, I think they meant INCENSE. Intense is very unique, I cannot find anything that is remotely like this. It comes off as sharp, musky, manly, and "dirtied clean" if that makes any sense. This opens with citrus and bergamot and has woodsy tones. It has incense all throughout the dry down and lasts about 6 hours on my skin. Mature women LOVE it. Anyone wearing this in college and look out! Your professors will want to be on you. As far as which one is better, original pour home is the safest scent. But I like dirty stuff too, and this has dirty written all over it. As far as sweetness goes, this is sweet, but pale in comparison to the original pour homme. Moderate sillage and good longevity. If you are mature, this is a buy. Projection:8/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 8/10 Versatility: 9/10 (only the mature can pull this off, though they can do that anywhere) Scent: 9/10 Bang for buck: 9/10 (125mL for 50 bucks?!?!?! Hell yes.) Compliments: 11/10 (Milfs love this, and I love milfs) Overall: 9/10

It opens with a citrusy fresh start but with that yuzu note that makes it slightly different from the average citrusy opening. After not too long spices and amber take the lead, making this apparent fresh scent warmer, I also perceive a very very subtle sweetness maybe from the lotus but I wouldn’t consider it a sweet fragrance. Unless other reviews I couldn’t perceive incense. After 30 mins or so I feel like there’s this warm amber as base that sometimes releases hints of light and musky freshness. But if sprayed on clothes you’ll smell the top notes longer. In my opinion not an obvious fragrance but not extraordinarily attention grabbing either, very masculine but not arrogant in-your-face. I think it’s very versatile all season but I’m not super sure about very hot days. And I think it’s suitable for most occasions (maybe just not too informal, I would never wear it with a hoodie for instance). I like it! It’s a light evoking fragrance but with a mysterious and very subtle dark side

I'm impressed! This note profile is right up my alley. It opens up with a citrus blast that's extremely fresh and invigorating. As it settles, it becomes warmer, woody, floral, and spicy. I love its smokiness and amber once it reaches the basenotes. This fragrance is fresh, aromatic, but not overly youthful. It's masculine and mature. I might even say this borders near "barbershop-ey" in the best way possible. This is a safe fragrance and can be worn in numerous scenarios (office, casual, party, date). It's also an all-season fragrance and suitable for daytime and evenings. Longevity on this was fantastic, especially with such a citrus opening. It will linger on your skin and clothes. The opening notes have excellent projection. I can see this easily being a signature scent, especially at the ridiculously affordable price point (I paid $22 CAD for 75ml). I'm now very excited to experience more from Issey Miyake! I give this a 9/10 based on quality, versatility, and price.

My current signature. It's manly. It's gentle. It's mysterious. It has a cold edge with a somewhat metallic essence. In my humble opinion, this is a scent for men who have passed their adolescence. This is an attention grabber in a subtle and sophisticated way. You'll likely get noticed by more refined noses before anyone else. This scent has a little dirt to it, but dries down into a clean incense that feels fresh with a vibe of darkness that trails behind all of its notes. There's maturity here. It's outlandish in the way it presents itself. Like I mentioned earlier, it's mysteriously alluring. Neither modern nor old fashioned. A masculine scent like smoke and rain meet hot concrete and marble, a scent that I believe will truly last the test of time. When you're ready to turn the right heads, give this masterpiece a blind buy. It is effectively for "The gentleman who doesn't want to be the center of attention, yet the one who everyone's trying to find."

Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Intense is a true gem in the vast sea of men’s fragrances. To me, it’s nothing like the original L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme (I’m not sure if there was ever any yuzu in it, but now it’s a strange thing with sharp lily-of-the-valley and machine oil notes—definitely an acquired taste). Intense, on the other hand, is a sweet-bitter citrus scent with a medicinal, cough-syrup-like quality. You could call it old-school, but not really—it just stands slightly apart, existing in its own world. It’s not heavy, nor is it fresh; it’s dense and enveloping. It seeps into your mind instantly, like chloroform. And yet, it never gets tiring or irritating, even with daily wear (Come on, it was made by Jacques Cavallier, after all). Actually today this thing could be easily seen as a niche) It’s a shame it seems to have been discontinued. I highly recommend grabbing a bottle while it’s still available at great prices.

WOW! For someone who find the original just nice, this is quite wonderful! Imagine the original L'Eau, except woodier, darker, & more charming. L'Eau Intense is to the original L'Eau is what Dior Homme Parfum is to the original Dior Homme Intense, & what Acqua di Gio Profumo is to the original Acqua di Gio: a darker, more mature & serious, & more captivating interpretation. L'Eau Intense is dominated by the yuzu's citrus, made darker and woodier with incense & papyrus, spicier with nutmeg, and the lotus adds a Japanese floral nuance to the smell. Citrusy, incensy, floral,spicy, woody. While I found the original too floral, Intense is absolutely not. The citrusy/floral core of the original remains but it has been made smokier, woodier, & darker by the incense, papyrus, & nutmeg. I really love it! Good job, Mr. Issey Good job, Mr. Cavallier

This smells nothing like the original L’eau d’issey. The citruses are only present slightly in the opening (reminds me of dehydrated orange peels mixed with some spices. After 30-60 minutes it turns into a unique smoky/earthy scent, I think this is the notes of incense, cinnamon, amber, and papyrus coming together. It makes me think of old furniture if you left it in an humidor, and the previous thrift store comparison is spot on lol. I absolutely love this scent, it only lasts around 5 hours on my skin with decent projection but I wear it for myself. It’s not something I’d wear out of the house, only if I’m enjoying a cigar at home. For the price ($30-40 on discounters), this is a steal. I could see artistic houses putting a similar scent on the market for $200+. One of my favorite scents in my collection 8.5/10

Great for the price point. Performance hits well above what you’ll be paying. Scent wise you still get that initial blast of freshness, similar to the OG Leau D’issey. The Yuzu and citruses start this fragrance off very bright and sparkly. Very quickly this transistions to incense, not overpowering in anyway but you can’t miss it. If you’re not into darker, smokey scents, I’d stay away from this one because as the fragrance evolves the incense becomes a main player. Not for everyone, but luckily for me incense is one of my favorite notes. Received a compliment from my boss, on the first wearing. I also really enjoy how the fragrance evolves as time passes. Its suitable for year round, dressed up or dressed down. Just don’t go heavy in the high heat. 2-3 sprays with this is all you need.

I have been wearing L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Intense 125ml for 4 days now, batch number 4149T9, 2024, I still have my first bottle from 2009, there is about 10 ml left in the bottle. also I can compare. The 2009 bottle is smokier. The first impression in my opinion is yuzu(bitter, fresh) a large dose anyway, and a large amount of bergamot, it changes after 20 minutes, it gets spicy(cardamom and nutmeg), fresh-smoky and watery lotus enters along with papyrus and ambergris, all smoky, mouthfeel of this smoky watery lotus Super. Persistence on my skin is a quiet 8 hours, projection 5 hours at 50cm. And still there is yuzu and papyrus in the deep drydown, like freshly cut pencil pieces. We know it from GUCCI POUR HOMME I and Bentley Absolute, plus lotus, yuzu and bergamot.

Alright fellas, listen up. The opening isn't as citrusy as the top notes would suggest, it's a very smooth, resinous, incensy, smoky, slightly sweet yuzu scent. This is so freaking good !! This smells fresh and dark at the same time, I've never smelled anything like this. The citruses fade away after a couple of hours and your left with that dark, smoky scent. The performance is impressive and it will last the whole day easy, people complaining are just going nose blind to it. Decent projection for the first couple of hours and longevity is excellent. The fact that you can get this for 40 Canadian dollars is INSANE !! Definitely masculine, probably more suited for people 25 and up. This smells like you got your shit together. Easy 5/5, I'll get a spare bottle for sure.

The first 30 minutes maybe off putting for some. If you are expecting a fresh citrus blast, I don't get that at all. The citrus is there, but right in the background, it's not fresh at all. As this settles, I get smokey incense vibes, it's dark mysterious. I go nose blind to this fragrance, I know it's still on me, I get whiffs off it through the day. I really like this fragrance alot, I don't think this is a compliment monster, one to enjoy for yourself. Scent 10/10 Sillage 7/10 Projection 7/10 Longevity 8/10 Versatility 7/10 Packaging/bottle 8/10 Value 8/10 I think you could wear this Spring, Autumn and winter and summer night, maybe even the day, depending on temperature. One word to describe this GEM.

This is a nicely blended fragrance and for the price you can get it, it's very good quality. The scent profile may seem a but dated seeing as it's almost 2 decades old but it's still modern and very versatile. Being an Eau De Toilette means the longevity is dampened but with proper moisturising and hydration, this easily lasts for 4-6 hours which I would say is something no one should be complaining about. It gets the job done, it's an appealing scent while being just unique for you to stand out. A very good evolution of the original's DNA and still to this day a very viable fragrance. Recommended from me. Especially for Citrus and Aromatic lovers.

I love this one. I am fan of incense in fragrances and hell yeah this one is on point and like the original version on steroids. The only downside being it's longevity, I spray 10 sprays and I'm good to go. With its price being pocket friendly, I don't think that's a problem at all. This is going to be in my staple collection until it exists. Ambery incense blended with perfect citrus and spices. Wow my god, I love it. What I appreciate about the fragrance is that it's spicy without the feeling of smelling like having cooked indian food. Lol. The original version and this one are must haves from this house.

If summer had a fragrance, it would be this masterpiece from Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. I mean, let's be honest—this scent is so good that even the sun would take notes! You know it’s a winner when wearing it is basically like having a personal party in a bottle, complete with confetti and a conga line. This perfume doesn’t just say “hello” to summer; it throws it a surprise birthday bash! So, if you want to dive into an olfactory vacation without ever leaving your house, grab this gem. Just be prepared for unsolicited compliments and the occasional dance-off because this scent is a total showstopper!

Incence notes in fresh parfumes. And it is hard to find that, using incence notes in fresh parfume like gio profumo , and this is reason that these parfume unique. But after 2020, issey miyake intense lower quailty. I first tried this parfume 2012. It was very quality and uniqe fresh parfume. Ok ıt always close to skins and this always the problem of issey miyake intense. Regular Issey Miyake Leau Issey always has better silage and longevity. İssey Intens always is a poor silage parfume. But las 6-7 years it quality was reduced, really low quality product.

A proper gem, this one. You’d naturally expect an 'Intense' flanker to be a heavy, winter-only affair, but surprisingly enough, it copes brilliantly in warm, dry weather. It’s definitely a different beast from the 90s original—darker, a bit smoky, and laced with papyrus and incense—yet you still catch that distinct, zesty yuzu DNA humming in the background. On a warm day at the office, it doesn't get cloying or overbearing at all. Instead, it just settles into this warm, reassuring, and quietly confident bubble that lasts all day. Spot on, really.

this is an incredible all rounder for a person who likes a smokey incense. the opening hits you with that sharp bitter Yuzu and is great opener for a summer night and then it falls into a woody, ambery incense giving a sense of mystery that could fit incredible for a date night. This is a personal favourite and it's got incredible value. thanks to the citrus I believe this is a perfect dark summer scent that catches alot of eyes. Edit: the longevity is absolutely incredible it at 8 in the morning and it was still on skin at 6 in the evening

A heavier, darker L'Eau d'Issey. Whereas the original is best suited for spring/summer, this one has to be its fall/winter counterpart. Moderate projection and longevity. Just when you think it's left the party, you look across the room and realize it's still there (as you catch the occasional whiff). Very masculine. I love the yuzu note... it's what makes this line so distinctive. I think I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 for a 4.2 oz. tester bottle, so a good value. I absolutely love the Issey Miyake DNA!

This Fragrance along with the Original are the only two fragrances you ever need in my opinion. They honestly work so well together. It is surprisingly easy to put on the original in the morning and swap out for the Intense as the day moves closer to the evening. This fragrance strikes the perfect balance between fresh and smoky and adds a layer on uniqueness and intrigue on the dna of the original. For 30 dollars or less this fragrance is a must buy and an absolute steal.

New absolute favorite summer frag. 2 minutes ago i opened this and sprayed it on and had to instantly let the word know this thing is a major sleeper. I don't get anything super smoky or harsh, I find it smoother and darker than the original. if performance is like they say it is this is top 3 if not #1 in my collection. This can absolutely be worn anywhere anytime and any season. Fabulous perfection I wish there were better words to describe this because this needs it.

8/10 "I don't know, maybe it was the yuzu🎶" My first Issey fragrance and I'm just over here wondering why I waited so long. Refined masculinity, definitely a well-crafted piece. Very complex, the balance of incense and spice and slight sweetness combine to a sum greater than the parts, and the parts are all very good. Looking forward to wearing this throughout the spring and summer. Nice projection for the first 4-6 hours, skin scent keeps up for 8-10 hours.

This is REALLY nice. The intense starts off on the citrus fresh side for daily wear but slowly transforms itself into this sexy incense smokey fragrance but yet still retains a citrus fresh element in its core. It's quite impressive. It has such decent longevity to match. It's basically a quality night time/daytime scent capable of getting a compliment at anytime. Can't go wrong with this. A scent for one of those guys who just wants one thing for anything!

In my early perfume journey I never understood this so I judged it to quickly and sold it.The Incense was solem dark and cold against bright citruses I was confused.Now after having smelled over 150 fragrances and owning 120 this is a masterpiece.Its both warm and cold daring but appealing designer but with niche sensibilities.For the price if you see it buy it put it away if you don't get it then go back years later it's awesome 10/10

First time I smelled it, gave me the impression of a futuristic fragrance. Although I have used the original Issey Miyake for years, this didn’t strike me as similar. A very modern, well blended perfume, with a delightful combination of citrus, spices and incense. I see this for mature men, older than 40, as it is a very dressy smell... somewhat dark and serious. Highly recommended and very different fragrance from the original.

This one is a frag you either love or hate I think. It’s dark, mysterious with a Bruce Wayne Batman type of vibe to it. Not a safe blind buy. It has similarities with the OG with the bitter yuzu smell, but goes a complete different direction in the drydown. It becomes more smoky, ambery and spicy. Very strong and long lasting as well. You have to give it a chance, I didn’t like i first time I tried it. Next times was different.

It is probably my all time favorite or top five of all time. There is something special about the perfume, the Smokey woody dry down is done so well it lingers the entire day & into the next. It’s so clean and sharp it’s a hidden gem that deserves more recognition it’s now discontinued and is getting very popular online everywhere.. I have four bottles, old bottles it lasts 8 hours and after smell/glow into the next day. 9.1/10

Blind bought this one and don’t regret it. This one’s fresh and clean and intriguing in ways that your typical blue fragrance just is not. It’s more of a green/blue fragrance that’s got a smoky amber vibe going on in the background. I think the notes work very well together to make something special. You can wear this any place any time. I picked up my unopened bottle for $25 from a private seller

Considering the price, one of the best values in all of fragrance. A unique blend of herbal, paper, amber, incense accords dominate the scent, yet it still feels light and uplifting. Mid projection and good longevity, especially for the lighter touch. There is citrus in the opening, but that fades quickly. This is darker than the original, as one would expect with the "intense" naming convention.

Probably the most versatile fragrance Issey Miyake ever made and it’s a shame they have discontinued the Intense. It’s a Perfume you can use it year round, day and night, office and even some more formal events. It has a better longevity than the “traditional” L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme. It’s more refined, but still fresh. If you had to buy only one Issey Miyake fragrance, this is the one for you!

Criminally underrated.. What a gorgeous scent!! Too many compliments from women & men. Very elegant, sophisticated and safe. It's also perfect for any season/occasion, with an outstanding performance. A great job Mr. J. Cavallier.. A true masterpiece. This gem is absolutely my new signature fragrance. 10/10 of course. P.s: Yes, this one is very similar to Acqua di Gio Profumo without any doubt.

This was my introduction to Issey Miyake. I don't agree with people saying this is an "older man scent" though. This is a definitely a night fragrance for me. When I smell this everything screams like dark, rainy, night streets at Tokyo. Papyrus and Incense makes a nice smoky addition to a already perfect autumn/winter scent. Just put this on and go to Jazz bar and chill. Giving this 9/10

Honestly speaking, this is a beautiful beautiful scent. It's honestly a no thrills type of scent. This is like the batman of the fragrance community. It's not the most thrilling, it's not the most popular or the strongest scent, but used correctly, it can get you places. I would love to know if it's been reformulated however? If anyone knows and sees this, please let me know. Thank you.

Stunning cheapie, total love. Especially fan of the drydown/far drydown. Although the scent is for some of its profile a tad masculine generic (pleasant, but a bit meh), the drydown is absolutely gorgeous on my skin (and lasts forever, which is unusual for me) : a beautiful, perfect blend of incensey, slightly lemony (also from the incense) amber, which comes off as truly unique.