Drakkar Intense by Guy Laroche

Drakkar Intense by Guy Laroche. My father used the original Drakkar Noir for years, so it was always his perfume, the paradigm of the big man. Now that I am a big man and my father is no longer with us, this fragrance lives in my memories. I never thought about buying it because it was his, but seeing it on offer at Fragantica and knowing it was from 2022, I decided to try it. It was a find. It is a nod to the original, and although it is an Eau de Parfum, I think it lasts less or has less sillage than the old one, which flooded the whole house when you walked out. This smells of soap, rosemary, and the barbershop, very pleasant, and at the end has a touch of forest after the rain. It does not surprise but does not disappoint either. I bought the 50 ml and I will certainly repurchase; for $10 it was a safe purchase. Ideal for autumn and spring nights at informal outings. Rating: 8/10.

I bought it online for about 20€. The aroma is the classic barbershop scent but with a 20-30% more modern, creamier, and closer feel than Drakkar Noir, which is more explosive and classic. Depending on the season or time of day, you can use it from 4 to 12 sprays. On my dry skin it lasts about 4/5 hours, much better with oxidation. If you apply more, it lasts longer. On clothes it lasted a day, not bad. It is for men, recommended for over 40s. I use it for everything: casual if you have a collection, or as a signature if you do not want to spend much. Surprisingly I have had compliments, but do not buy it thinking of that; the perfume depends on the person and many factors.

I have tried to like it several times, but I cannot. It smells nice on the cap and is the most concentrated Noir, coming out handsome when sprayed, but then that super heavy suede enters which reminds me of old bus seats and tides. At the same time it tries to be sweet with herbs that make it an intoxicating and heavy liqueur. It has some creaminess at the base and a masculine and bitter burst that many may like. It has its charm, but it is not for me. Scent: 0.8, Projection: 6.7, Longevity: 6.3. Final Rating: 4/10.

The first thing I thought when smelling it was Dandy Man. Then it settles a bit, but between the sweetness, the talc, and the barbershop smell it is 3/4 of Dandy Man. I stick with the original.

Modernised Fougere OG. Spectacular for summer nights out and everyday in winter, extremely masculine. As one review says, a must-buy for anyone with 90s levels of testosterone. Warning: it will not suit everyone, it mixes herbal with sweet and some will say you smell like Dandy Man (as if it were bad). In my case it does not reach 25 and it can be rare, but I encourage everyone who does not want to go out smelling like lemon tart to buy it.

A flanker that retains the eighties soul of the classic Drakkar Noir. It is an aromatic fougère with a masculine character, where lavender and green notes blend with a slightly sweet and warm base without losing that ‘old school’ presence. Ideal for autumn and winter. I especially recommend it for those over 35 or 40 who seek traditional, characterful scents but with a modern touch that doesn’t overpower. Longevity is good, around 6 to 8 hours; the last three linger close to the skin, leaving a moderate trail that garners compliments at gatherings, work, or night outs. I recommend keeping it in your collection.

Herbal-soapy fragrance but with a rather pleasant sweet touch. It is a classic yet modernised fougère. I see it as ideal for mature men (40 and above, I think it looks phenomenal). For under 30 euros, it is a good purchase in terms of value for money. However, as an EDP it has nothing, as it behaves like an EDT. Lastly, and risking sounding like a nitpicker, there is a detail about the nice bottle that left me slightly cold: the absence of a decorative insert in the atomiser. I seem to recall the original Drakkar didn’t have one either, so they must have wanted to continue with the ‘tradition’. It seems like a trivial detail when the bottle is for yourself, but when considering buying it as a gift, the fact that it lacks the insert gives it a ‘cheap’ look and a certain sense of neglect (deliberate, in this case) that detracts from the whole.

After years of being a fragrance enthusiast, I started to give way to fougères and I find myself liking them a little more each day. For very little money, I bought Drakkar Intense blind; although the first impression was not good, I used it a couple of times and ended up liking it more than expected. I interpret this formula in a very simple way: a modern classic fougère. They added an amber sweetness to the base of classic green and lavender, turning it into a very pleasant version. With modest performance, you can spray without fear, and if possible, carry it in a bag or backpack to enjoy a boost as the hours pass. Harmless, good for daily wear almost all year round or summer evenings.

I agree with those opinions that find 30% of Drakkar Noir in this fragrance. Of course, there are barber shop notes; it is almost a mandatory requirement for this gem. At first, its herbal phase is very pleasant; it is there where I am reminded of its sister. To me, that aldehydic note and that suede base have me hooked. It will not project, but its aroma is very rich. Highly recommended, in my opinion BBB. From 25 until the body can take it. Very versatile in cool climates. Ideal for night.

I own the original Drakkar Noir and this Intense. It’s hard to choose which I prefer. This Intense is a touch more formal; it doesn’t smell explicitly of rum, but the influence is noticeable. It’s serious yet fun, ideal for daily wear in temperate climates. The lavender is very prominent. The opening can be strong for some, but not overly so. The suede and patchouli are absolutely delicious. It’s the contemporary version of the classic, though I don’t see the ‘Intense’ in the name. Price/Quality 9/10. It brings back memories of Sundays with my father.

Surprisingly pleasant… I really expected less from this fragrance due to the comments I had heard. I used to wear Drakkar Noir back in the 90s, I still have it. I think this is a great option for mature men, but if you are young and like it, go ahead, use it.

Surprisingly pleasant… I really expected less given the comments I’d read. I used Drakkar Noir back in the 90s and still have some. I think it’s a great option for mature men, but if you’re young and like it, go ahead and use it.

Wonderful that barber shop remains alive among designers today. It’s a fougère similar to 1982 but with a liquor note; it’s clearly a flanker, and that’s a plus. I picked it up in 50ml for 15€ and at that price, I was smiling from ear to ear…

I loved it at first. You can spot the Drakkar signature with the juniper and clary sage heart, but this Intense version is more balsamic with a liquorised sweetness that makes it a proper manual barbershop. Very pleasant and original. Projection is limited and longevity isn’t top-notch; perhaps spraying more would help. It’s economical, so I didn’t rule it out (eventually I did, 25€ for 100ml, and I’m satisfied).

What a treat that they’re still making the Designer Barbershop today. It’s a fougère very similar to the original 1982 version, but with a liquorish twist that clearly marks it as a flanker, and that’s a plus. I picked up the 50ml bottle for €15, and I was beaming from ear to ear at that price.