Valentino
Valentino
546 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
A bright mandarin snap cuts through immediately, accompanied by nutmeg's almost liquorice-like warmth. The combination feels almost aperitif-like—spicy, slightly herbal, with an unexpected sweetness that hints at the tonka to come.
The sage and juniper emerge to create a subtle herbaceous line, whilst the iris blooms into a talcum-soft powderiness that anchors the fragrance's sweeter elements. The leather begins its patient ascent, transforming the composition from fruity-spicy into something considerably more sophisticated and textured.
Vanilla and tonka bean dominate, but they're tempered by patchouli's earthy grip and the lingering suede-like leather that now comprises the fragrance's backbone. The powdery iris refuses to fade, creating a skin scent of impressive subtlety—creamy, softly spiced, and decidedly intimate.
Uomo Intense is a fragrance that refuses easy categorisation, oscillating between masculine restraint and powdery sensuality with disarming confidence. The nutmeg and mandarin opening provides immediate spice—not the aggressive heat of darker fragrances, but a warm, almost gourmand quality that feels almost edible. What distinguishes this composition is how the sage and juniper heart refuses to steer toward fresh barbershop territory; instead, these herbal notes seem to stabilise the sweetness, preventing tonka bean from becoming cloying whilst the iris adds an almost cosmetic powderiness that feels deliberately retro.
This is fundamentally a leather fragrance masquerading as something else. The leather accord (76%) doesn't announce itself with automotive brutality; rather, it emerges as a soft, almost suede-like undercurrent that threads through the creamy tonka and vanilla base. The patchouli grounds everything with earthy restraint, preventing the composition from tilting toward gourmand excess. The overall effect is surprisingly sophisticated—simultaneously sweet and slightly austere, powdery yet with enough leather and spice to maintain complexity.
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3.5/5 (327)