If you read my review of The Only One EDP, you know I loved the scent but was annoyed by the weak performance. Well, D&G heard those complaints from basically everyone and came back with The Only One Intense. The question is: did they fix the problems without ruining what made the original special? Mostly, yeah. They did.
What Does The Only One Intense Smell Like?
The DNA is clearly the same — you still get that signature coffee-violet combo. But the Intense version dials up the darkness in a major way. The opening is richer, with a darker roasted coffee note that feels more like a double espresso compared to the original's latte. The violet is still there, but it's been pushed to the background, letting the coffee and cocoa take center stage.
The heart brings in a gorgeous tuberose that adds a creamy, almost narcotic floral quality. It's heavier and more seductive than the original's lighter floral notes. The base is where the biggest change is — deeper patchouli, richer vanilla, and a smoky quality that makes this feel like the nighttime version of the original.
Performance
- Longevity: 8-10 hours. Massive improvement over the original's 6-7 hours.
- Projection: Strong for 3-4 hours, good moderate presence after that.
- Sillage: People will smell you coming and going. Much better than the original.
This is the biggest win. They took the original's weakest point and turned it into a genuine strength. The Intense lives up to its name on the performance front.
When to Wear The Only One Intense
This is more of a fall/winter fragrance compared to the original's year-round versatility. The heavier base and darker notes make it best for cooler weather. Date nights and evening events are the sweet spot. You could wear it to the office in winter if you go light on sprays, but it's really built for after-hours.
The Downsides
- Lost some of the original's charm: The original had this light, playful quality that made it so likable. The Intense version sacrifices that for depth and power. Some people will miss the brightness.
- Less versatile: The original worked almost anywhere. The Intense is locked into cooler weather and evening wear. You're gaining performance but losing flexibility.
- The tuberose can be too much: Tuberose is one of those love-it-or-hate-it notes. It's heavy and slightly indolic, and it can feel suffocating in the heart of this fragrance.
- Harder to find: Depending on your market, The Only One Intense can be tricky to track down compared to the original. Limited distribution is always frustrating.
Buy or Skip?
Buy it if performance was the thing holding you back from the original. This fixes that problem while keeping the core DNA intact. Skip it if you loved the original's lightness and versatility — the Intense trades those qualities for power and depth.
Honestly, in a perfect world you'd own both. The original for spring/summer days and the Intense for fall/winter nights. Together they cover every situation.
Rating: 7.5/10
A worthy upgrade that fixes the original's biggest flaw. Darker, stronger, and more seductive — but it sacrifices some versatility in the process.