Number One Intense

A classically elegant floral chypre. It's very stylish and plush. The opening green bitterness of galbanum contrasted against the aromatic marigolds is such an unexpected, though not unpleasant, juxtaposition that is almost a shock on first spray, but as it wears on and calms down, works beautifully in keeping this fragrance from veering too sweet. The florals are so creamy, like the finest triple milled soap, and have this dreamy luminous haze to them as if you are looking at them through the diffusion of a filtered lens. As another reviewer pointed out, there is oakmoss in the base, which adds a lovely soft and earthy mossiness, and I think, along with the musk and sandalwood, is adding that soft effect to the floral notes. If I were to visualize this fragrance it would be a contrast of light and dark, like that of the dappled light against the darkness of a Monet painting; or sunlight glittering off dark water; or glittering jewels against black velvet. My mind goes to associations like these when wearing this perfume. It really is quite stunning. I don't get the similarities to Boucheron as some have compared it to in the 'this perfume reminds me' section aside from a few shared notes. I adore Boucheron but compared to this it has a sweet, almost syrupy quality, like florals dripping with amber. This is much dryer, and softer, with the amber much less pronounced. I'd classify Boucheron as an amber floral, and this as a true floral chypre. And while this opens big, within an hour it has gone down considerably to a more discrete level, whereas Boucheron has a larger presence throughout much of the wear. I'm actually surprised by that. Reading the reviews, I thought this would be a big, room filling floral, but it is not. Within a few hours it was almost a skin scent on me. I am wondering if this has been reformulated due to the recent batch of IFRA regulations. If so, that might account for the less-than-optimal performance, though that still wouldn't deter me from repurchasing the biggest bottle of this in the future after this one ounce is done. Though this fragrance does have a classic appeal it is definitely modern and more aligned with contemporary tastes, though I'm sure it would have been appreciated and right at home in the past. And while only the first perfume I've tried from this house I'm sure it won't be the last. It's clear that Patricia de Nicolai is not just a rightly deserved award-winning master perfumer, but an artist of considerable caliber too, as this work of art demonstrates. This is an absolute gem of a perfume.

I love tuberose, I like 'vintage smelling perfumes' and equally enjoy galbanum and all three are present and perfect to describe Number One Intense but but but ... what some of the negative reviews say down below are not totally wrong. This perfume may just require you getting acquainted with it gradually. This could be tricky if not Jicky. So for now it's opening is loaded with orange blossom and tuberose. After 5 mins it became really really green. It's hefty and the galbanum tuberose notes can be jarring. My first impression is surprisingly not what I was contemplating and expecting. 27/9/2025 After a month this has become one of my favs from this House and a solid reference point on Galbanum. The turning point came when I bought Le Sillage Blanc and both fragrances are just awesome in terms of ingredients, sillage, versatility. I was not wrong as Number One Intense does take a little bit of knowing.

Galbanum star-burst with marigold and blackcurrant sparks shooting into my olfactory space. I'm a galbanum junky and could spray this stuff over and over and over again for that amazing firework-show (and did, six times), but what comes afterwards is really just as good. An almost edible blackcurrant with sticky ylang-ylang, orange blossom and a very civilised tuberose so harmonious as to be practically newlyweds. This is luminous and lovely. It's one of the few fragrances I have worn all day and night without any kind of restless desire to be ranging through my perfumery treasure house. The sandalwood in dry-down provides hours of pleasure, balancing those narcotic florals in masterful Nicolai style. Distillation: galbanum star-burst marigold and blackcurrant a sublime fusion

Smooth creamy tuberose, ylang ylang, and hints of jasmine. Very floral, elegant, hints of sweetness. Very natural and high quality...reminds me of tuberose essential oils. Feminine, so not something I'd wear, but I'm enjoying it on a quiet Saturday night in with a movie. If I was a woman, I would consider this...reminds me of L'Occitane's conditioner. Scent: 8 / Sillage: 7 / Longevity: 7

This is a big girl scent and I am here for it. Whoever suggested this is similar to Boucheron was spot on. I pegged this as a 'winter' scent, not because it has anything to do with church, spices or heaviness but because it is a 'warm sweater on a chilly day' type of fragrance. I just love how this all comes together in the most feminine way. i've put it on my 'want' list.