Intense Instant Crush

Ah Mancera, a great entry level niche house, that much like it's sister brand montale, is notorious for naming their products in a way that is misleading from the scent...and this is definitely one of those times. I do not get even a hint of OG instant crush (EDIT: maybe a bit towards the far drydown). This is a quasi-gourmamd sandalwood scent with hints of leather. Do I like it? Hell yeah, this is a fall banger. Am I disappointed that I can't see the connection to the original? A little I suppose, but I like a flanker that can be a departure...but why not call it "Instant Crush Privee" or "Instant Crush Exclusif "?? When there is this much distance between the original, it seems disingenuous to name it and intense version. That is my only gripe with Mancera and montale...the naming.

Sweet, instense scent with some darkness (the leather?). It's a mature scent, better suited to a more mature audience and perhaps that's the reason it scores so low in fragrantica, but I've yet to have someone smell it on me and dislike it. The problem is that on me it doesn't last that long and it doesn't smell to anyone who's not standing right next to me; the ratings here are really weird IMHO. In short it's a very nice heady scent, sweet and sexy and it's a pleasure to wear even if I'm the only one to notice it. Update: After a month of wearing it, I've received numerous compliments so obviously the sillage is better than I thought it was. I even end up liking it more and more, rarely do I wear another fragrance from my 25+ collection, so it's definitely a winner.

This is glorious for a leather lover like me. It is the closest thing to my beloved Dark Vanilla which is no longer being sold in the United States (sadness). It's warm and sexy and just perfect. The leather is dark but soft like cashmere. The salted caramel makes it less serious; less threatening, and definitely more wearable. Although I think it leans just a tad masculine, it definitely can be worn by a woman. I am a dainty female and will certainly be rocking this. Having said that, I'm not sure about the projection and longevity is just OK given the price point. Anyway, I love it.

When I first smelled this I was like, goddamn the leather is really prominent and strong , wanted to sell it but then I left it in dark place for almost 3-4 months... AMAZING!!! I’m extremely surprised how the maceration here worked. I can smell the salted caramel with little bit of mandarine and the leather is just there in the background. Thank god that I didn’t sell it. 10/10 for me easily.

Ive never tried the original version because of the comparisons to br540 but when I saw that they where releasing an intense version I was intrigued. I got a sample from mancera in the discovery pack and in the little amount I had I enjoyed it very much. This is so well mixed to the point of its super strong but not cloying and everything works in harmony. This is on my to buy list for sure.