The One for Men EDP Intense by D&G

The One series has been a massively successful line for Dolce & Gabbana, in both men’s and women’s fragrances. 2020, saw the release of this flanker, The One for Men Eau de Parfum Intense. An intense version of the EDP edition of The One for Men. Yes, the name’s get confusing. I grabbed a sample to test out and see how this newer release compares and if it is worth a try.

What does The One for Men EDP Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, neroli, cypress, clary sage, benzoin, cashmeran, leather, labdanum, patchouli

Click here to try: The One EDP Intense

My Full Review

Here’s how D&G describes it:  The One For Men Eau de Parfum Intense, finds its magnetic appeal in a daring fusion of opposites. Intensely masculine, fascinating yet authentic, it is a scent of extremes – warm neroli golden facets with deep black leather in an enigmatic expression of olfactory chiaroscuro.

The One EDP Intense opens up with a pretty unique mix of spice, woods, and floral. It’s definitely fresh and has a much cooler aroma than that of the original warmth found in The One EDT.

Cardamom, sage, and cypress are pretty heavy after the initial spray. I have to say, I really like the opening here. The neroli, leather, and more resinous notes aren’t yet fully apparent; but, you can pick them up in the background.

While it matches the spiciness of the original The One fragrances, this one goes in a much woodier direction. That cypress note stands out on my skin. While it will weaken, as things move along, it stay around for the duration.

Actually while this has a unique sort of aroma, this has a lot of overlap with L’Homme Ideal L’Intense by Guerlain, which I have a full bottle of. In fact, I may prefer this D&G cologne to that one. Nonetheless, they share: leather, labdanum, cardamom, and patchouli. Not the same smokiness, though.

Ultimately different scents, but with a similar style and notes to one another.

Cardamom and neroli will start to muscle out the cypress. The neroli has its moment to shine, but will fade, on my skin at least. At this point, The One EDP Intense is a fresh and spicy cologne with an earthy/resinous/woodsy quality.

A bit further, the leather will really come in more. It never overwhelms the rest of the composition but that smoothness will keep this one from becoming too dirty. The benzoin and labdanum outweigh the patchouli.

This supplies the amber and resinous quality, which will most resemble the original The One EDT. This is much more resinous, medicinal, and animalistic than the sweeter amber of the original, but plays about the same role in terms of its presence.

The leather, is a lighter player versus the tobacco in the EDT.

At the end, I get an ambery cardamom with woods/leather and the remnants of the rest of the neroli. Not as spicy, as the beginning and to me, the patchouli never really comes across as being that heavy in the mix.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I don’t find this to be massive, even for an ‘Intense EDP’. I’d say it’s probably above average at its peak, and pretty moderate thereafter. Better than the original for sure, I just don’t think it really will bomb out a room.

This seems to hit the 5.5-7 hour range, on the skin. Again, an improvement and decent. Just not going to be a marathon runner, by any means. I think it provides a decent value, EDP Intense just doesn’t go above and beyond.

Seasonally, autumn through the very early part of spring. This is best for chilly to colder temperatures, but wouldn’t be bad in something more moderate. Just avoid the heat and put it away during the summer.

It does indeed have an appealing and dark sexiness about it. I personally think the EDT smells more attractive, but this would be nice as a nightlife scent.

It’s a bit more dense, masculine, and dirtier than some of the others in the series. But, that earthiness is a fraction of its personality.

Overall Impressions of The One EDP Intense

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, it takes a different direction than the original The One or even the EDP version, but it still has its own appeal within that uniqueness. I don’t enjoy the smell as much, as the EDT version, but this is still quite a nice wear.

Also, the performance blows the EDT version out of the water, even while not being a beast mode fragrance itself. That 5-7 hours, will net you probably around 4 with solid sillage, and go closer to the skin until it evaporates entirely.

I like the freshness, earthiness, and somewhat bitter opening act. It’s smooth and fresh, but doesn’t have the same warmth and ambery sweetness at the EDT.

Cypress, sage, benzoin, and the leather are the highlights for me. Is that enough to make it a must have? No.

But, The One EDP Intense is worthy of a try. For some, this will be the among the best of the series, while others may enjoy the formulations which closely mimic the original.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.