Euphoria Men Intense
Calvin Klein (2008)

Calvin Klein Euphoria Men Intense, launched in 2008 and performed by Carlos Benaim and Loc Dong, is a significant improvement on the previous more tart-aromatic Euphoria Men (a sort of Ysl La Nuit de L' Homme's far american cousin with its peculiarities). This new semi-oriental version is a brand new sweeter and intensive rendition of the classic Euphoria (which was definitely more aromatic, fluidy, fresh end herbal). This intenser fragrance is an ode to the dominant note of ginger (a key note also in Euphoria Men which was a sort of Ck Eternity for men's relative and less floral masculine alternative) with its gradual transition from the herbal-aromatic fluity opening to a darkly suedish final soapiness. Euphoria Men Intense is a quite spicy-suedish kind of "glamour" and metropolitan fragrance (more urban than the classic Euphoria Men) without being a spice bomb. It possesses a very alluring silky suedish resinous aura making it ideal for night time use especially for a special dinner, a cocktail party or a drink in a night club. It is definitely a dynamic urban fragrance to be better worn if you are suited with a tight well tailored modern outfit. I detect a "classic Euphoria-like" initial peppery aromatic herbal tone (a really nice, gingery and strong accord of basil, black pepper and light citrus) but really quickly the juice evolves and slides in to a darkly enigmatic resinous accord with a central patchouli and really dark resins and woods (all the elements being surrounded by a sort of synthetic cosmetical kind of suedish melony vibe). Amber, myrrh, dark agarwood and labdanum elicit a vaguely incensey, darkly enigmatic (vaguely smokey) and little gourmandish aroma of suedish resins and light woods really silky and noir. I find this fragrance surprisingly modern and definitely fancy, more spicy-fancy-urban than properly herbal-tart-aromatic a la classic Euphoria Men (being the latter more classic and "wild" in structure and philosophy). The powerful basil/grapefruit-like opening of the original Euphoria Men is slightly downgraded, there is immediately a gingery lemony (kind of melon/banana smell-conjuring), darkly floral (slightly orchid?), spicy and slightly fruity (kind of melony) central accord really enigmatic and fancy-chic, something super urban and kind of clubbing. This languid spicy/herbal (slightly melony) central presence quickly becomes warmer and silkier with a resinous elusive amber and some burnt vaguely rubbery resins. The final outcome is indefinable and amazing with its musky-silky-suedish fruity soapiness and a vague rubbery vibe with hints of shadowy spicy fruitiness. The ginger is still dominant till the end along with a cedary soapy woodiness and hints of silky suede. Soapy cedarwood is another key element of this really versatile but not simplistic noir fragrance. I'd wish a better longevity which is somewhat faint on my skin while projection is definitely on the average. Definitely masculine and nocturnal.

Evidently I got a bad or fake bottle, I put on 5-6 sprays and only had a faint amber scent. In 10-15 minutes I could not smell it at all. I had put Guess Seductive Noir on my other arm to test between the two and although Noir is a weak performer at least it had a moderate projection for the first 1-2 hours and still had a skin scent after 3-4 hours.

Exotic, unique scent in my arsenal of colognes! Whenever I want to try a daring direction, I wear Euphoria Men Intense.

Ginger is one of the most evident note in this and several other Euphoria versions, an element that I like a lot. The basil and sage notes lend an edible spicy element, married with vetiver and amber notes in the base. Oud is listed, but is so subtle and tends to be overshadowed by its neighboring fragrance notes all throughout the triangle (e.g. the cedar in the heart).

Not a very long-lasting scent, but it remains distinctive and uncloying on my skin for most of the day. This and the Euphoria Gold are definitely unlike most of the scents in my collection, which make them perfect candidates for experimentation and daring fun.

Calvin Klein Euphoria Men Intense is actually one of the only fresh spicy blind buys of late that I intend on keeping. Intense, Gold, and Essence each seem to be reasonably popular and now reasonably-priced, so this is the first one I got my hands on.

The fresh spicy characterization is accurate---Euphoria Men Intense's spiciness can probably be most attributed to pepper but I don't get much pepper (or much overwhelming spiciness) at all from this, as it's mostly subdued next to a woody/sweet mix that seemingly involves some sandalwood or cedar with a synthetic fruit (perhaps cherry) vibe. In that respect, it ends up seemingly like a distant relative to CK One Shock, but not nearly as well-blended.

Projection and longevity are nothing special, but at its price ($32 for 100ml on FragranceNet), it's hard to complain.

6 out of 10

This instantly reminded me of something I used to wear years ago, can't put my finger on it. Very spicy/fruity straight away. After 15-20 minutes it mellows into a nice leather smell. An hour or so later it gets kinda woodsy, albeit a little synthetic. I wouldn't wear this every day, but I really like it, it is well done.

spicy and dirty yet smooth great fall scent- sexy and great silage...this along with CK one SHOCKED are my fav by this house.