What do you think about Dior Homme Intense...

**Paul12644** · 03-09-2012, 07:36 AM

I'm looking at the vintage version made in 2008. I know, it seems strange to say anything made in 2008 should be classified as vintage.

**KarlMaldensNose** · 03-09-2012, 11:49 AM

A wearable gourmand-ish fragrance. Not as interesting as Dior Homme, IMHO, but people around me really seem to like it. I'd buy a bottle if funds weren't an issue.

**StylinLA** · 03-09-2012, 07:59 PM

It's a nice scent. A little youngish for me, but I find it to be the most impressive of the very sweet-ish youthful clubbing type scents. I got a small decant and was pretty impressed with it.

I prefer it over Dior Homme myself. A bit more potent. It really does smell like a much more intense version of Dior Homme.

I don't know which version I have, but I tend to think the hoopla over the "vintage" vs the "new" version is probably a bit dramatic.

**jakespoppy** · 03-10-2012, 06:50 AM

I have the "vintage" version (yes, that's does sound odd) and like it quite a lot, especially the cocoa note, but then I do generally enjoy gourmand frags. It doesn't seem nearly so "over the top" gourmandish to my nose. I've read some opinions that the current version is not all that different from the vintage and is good, but then it doesn't take much change in formula or ingredients to take something from "favorite" to "yuck!". I'm looking forward to trying the new version.

**Schad** · 03-10-2012, 07:25 AM

I think a lot of the reformulation and batch number talk is just basenotes and basenote type hardcores being drama queens and hyper-aware about fragrances. They have lost touch with reality.

**KarlMaldensNose** · 03-10-2012, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Schad

I think a lot of the reformulation and batch number talk is just basenotes and basenote type hardcores being drama queens and hyper-aware about fragrances. They have lost touch with reality.

I agree with Schad, for the most part. That kind of hyper-awareness regarding batch variations is actually kinda irksome to me, so you know I'm not talking out of my butt when I say that I absolutely do notice significant differences betweeen various batches/bottles of Creed Milesime Imperial. I've purchased at least six decants of MI from different people at different times and the notoriously fickle watermelon top note ranges in strength and presence from not even perceivable in a couple decants all the way to loudly dominating the entire composition in another. Weird.

Anyway, back to DHI... another weird one. One thing I don't get is the decision to purportedly replace the cocoa in the "vintage" with pear in the "new." I mean, why pear? And why at all?

**Schad** · 03-10-2012, 12:39 PM

Is the pear replacement official? I am convinced it is a rumor gone rampant by base notes tmz rumormill.

**KarlMaldensNose** · 03-11-2012, 01:59 PM

I've neither read nor heard anything official from Dior regarding the cocoa ---> pear. You're right, it's something I picked up from reviews and the note pyramid of DHI posted at Fragrantica (I've become frustrated with Basenotes and have abandoned the site). It just seems like such a random replacement/switch. I mean, pear is one of the least aromatic fruits out there and has next to nothing in common with cocoa in terms of scent profile and strength. Perhaps they share certain chemical/molecular traits that would justify the apparent switcheroo?

**Paul12644** · 03-11-2012, 03:32 PM

Here's one person's opinion from basenotes of the supposed pear scent in the new formulation:

Alright, anyone who is reading this, is probably a DHI user or probably have had read the other threads and the article at fragrancex regarding the reformulation of DHI on 09/11.

But likewise, there has been speculations that the article on DHI reformulation is a typo error as the author is not natively English, and the article was in fact, loosely translated. Because if that was the case, the "new ingredient" pear is very highly likely to be a mis-translation.

I will provide another reason why - for ages since the launch of DHI, since StrawberryNet started selling it, they have always listed pear as one of the notes in DHI. This, i believe to be a mis-translation as well.

Speculations of them changing the formula just because they want to own the recipe is really ridiculous. I believe some people has been going around saying that, maybe just to jack up the price of DHI. I sincerely do not believe a reformulation is happening.

Note also that every other single ingredient is exactly the same - with the exception of Ambrette from Amber, which i believe is another typo, which is also reflected on StrawberryNet. I believe both places copied and pasted the notes from the same place, or maybe from a same translator page. No idea, just guesses.

Bottom line is,

1) it makes no sense to replace coca with pear just because they want to own the formula. Coca is easily obtainable, it is a commodity.

2) i just received a bottle of DHI from StrawberryNet, the one that lists Pear as one of it's notes, and it smells exactly like my friend's, who got his bottle in 2009.

3) from an exclusive 50ml to 100ml, Dior clearly noted the success of DHI, making it a staple and removing the "limited edition" status, it makes no sense to change the notes and release a 150ml. not at all. the release of a 150ml bottle is more likely to be a sign that DHI is here to stay for good, as a classic.

**Schad** · 03-11-2012, 05:41 PM

Thanks for posting that.

Once again, best advised to ignore talk of batch variation, reformulation, discontinuations, etc. from basenotes.
They were crapping on Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme and L'Eau by Lutens before these fragrances even came out! Just cranky about the concept of another Allure flanker and Lutens doing a "fresh" scent.

It's like any forum of hardcores, whether it be movie experts/critics, sports fanatics, etc. They suck the joy out of it.
I still read basenotes and enjoy *some* of the discussion and passion they have, but I've learned to filter out the rumor and negativity as much as possible.

**jakespoppy** · 03-12-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Schad

......

Once again, best advised to ignore talk of batch variation, reformulation, discontinuations, etc. from basenotes.
They were crapping on Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme and L'Eau by Lutens before these fragrances even came out! Just cranky about the concept of another Allure flanker and Lutens doing a "fresh" scent.

It's like any forum of hardcores, whether it be movie experts/critics, sports fanatics, etc. They suck the joy out of it.
I still read basenotes and enjoy *some* of the discussion and passion they have, but I've learned to filter out the rumor and negativity as much as possible.

I hope we don't ever become this!

**Paul12644** · 03-12-2012, 09:22 PM

It's a form of creeping elegance, a compulsive behavior actually, where you're not happy until you've chased down the last ten-thousandth of a decimal point. Doctors who treat this form of compulsive behavior become very discouraged watching people suffer through this. I know most bassnoters are not this far gone, but unfortunately some of them are.

In the meantime, I received my DHI today and it's a remarkably poignant scent, like nothing I've ever smelled. I find myself sniffing my hand every so often where I test sprayed it. I can almost taste the fragrance of caramel toffee. It's sweet, but I don't mind that. Very well done, to this nose anyway.

**Schad** · 05-12-2012, 08:18 PM

I decided to wear Dior Homme tonight and I'm really enjoying it. I like going back to fragrances that I've not worn in a while and become pleasantly surprised.

Which brings back the discussion: Should I get DHI now? I dont care about reformulated vs. vintage, I'm trying to decide if I will want DHI if I already have DH.

**StylinLA** · 05-12-2012, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Schad

It's like any forum of hardcores, whether it be movie experts/critics, sports fanatics, etc. They suck the joy out of it.
I still read basenotes and enjoy *some* of the discussion and passion they have, but I've learned to filter out the rumor and negativity as much as possible.

Scent, and our memory of scent's can be very fleeting. I think the differences, if any, between the newer version of DHI and the "vintage" version are probably minimal to say the least.

If we had a perfumers "nose" and skill set, the differences might be obvious. Maybe same is true for some Basenoters; but some are just grumbly malcontents.

At any rate, I wouldn't get hung up on chasing down the "vintage" version. I doubt the average person here, and I will assert most of us are average in the scents arena, would notice a difference.

**StylinLA** · 05-12-2012, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Schad

Which brings back the discussion: Should I get DHI now? I dont care about reformulated vs. vintage, I'm trying to decide if I will want DHI if I already have DH.

Your call Schad. I will tell you it is an exact parallel of Instant vs Instant Extreme.

DHI is exactly like DH, but a tad stronger and sweeter. I hate feeding your monster Schad, but DHI seems right up your alley.

I have a small decant (and I have no idea if it's the new or the old version), and when I sampled it, it put a huge smile on my face. Made me quietly grouse to myself "okay these young-uns were right about this one."

**Schad** · 05-12-2012, 09:04 PM

I think I will get a decant of DHI instead of FB.

I think I like L'Instant PH EDT more than LIDGE, so I'm not sure I will necessarily like DHI more than DH.

**KarlMaldensNose** · 05-12-2012, 09:08 PM

Even though I like DHI just fine, I've always thought DH was the better, more interesting scent. They're both VERY unisex, but DH a little less so because it doesn't have that cocoa note that I associate with women.

My vote: stick with your DH and spend a bit of the money you woulda spent on DHI on some interesting new samples or decants... fragrances or genres you would never think of trying before... shake it up, son!

**Schad** · 05-12-2012, 09:18 PM

KMN I'm glad to see others might prefer DH over DHI.

Some decants I'm thinking about getting:

Creed Selection Verte, Creed Sublime Vanille
Malle Geranium Pour Monsiur
Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire

I also will try to get my hands on Malle Carnal Flower and the Mona Di Oro Vetiver which seems to consistently get rave reviews.

But will still get decant of DHI just to sample.

**KarlMaldensNose** · 05-13-2012, 07:49 PM

DHI decants are a dime a dozen on Crystal Flacon and Scent Splits so you should have no shoratge of options with this.

Be sure to post your thoughts on the Malles should you manage to get some samples or decants. I've always been interested in trying Vetiver Extraordinaire and only recently heard about Geranium Pour Monsiur. I'm very curious about the Geranium as I'm discovering it is an ingredient/note in many fragrances I really enjoy, although I don't think I have any idea what geranium smells like.

**Schad** · 05-18-2012, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by StylinLA

DHI is exactly like DH, but a tad stronger and sweeter. I hate feeding your monster Schad, but DHI seems right up your alley.
"

Originally Posted by KarlMaldensNose

DHI decants are a dime a dozen on Crystal Flacon and Scent Splits so you should have no shoratge of options with this.

Be sure to post your thoughts on the Malles should you manage to get some samples or decants. I've always been interested in trying Vetiver Extraordinaire and only recently heard about Geranium Pour Monsiur. I'm very curious about the Geranium as I'm discovering it is an ingredient/note in many fragrances I really enjoy, although I don't think I have any idea what geranium smells like.

SLA was right AGAIN. I am loving this decant of DHI. Put it on my skin tonight. I like it better than DH. Just one spray! I also like that, similar to LIDGE, while it may be somewhat hard to find it is very reasonably priced should I choose to go full bottle. In fact it is easier to get in US than LIDGE since I'm told the Dior boutique in NYC carries it!

KMN I posted my thoughts on the Malles in a new thread today. Vet Extra is REALLY GOOD. I found the Geranium to be ok -- but this is based on on paper and initial on skin impressions.