Si Intense 2021

This beauty opens with grapes & benzoin. And patchouli quickly starts to dominate from the start. Rose is also accompanied from the background even though it is not very loud 🌹 I always say it again and again, normally I don't like patchouli in perfumes. Here, too, I cannot say that its existence is vague. Even though it has a distinctly noticeable patchouli use, it never scratches to my nose. All the notes are so beautifully blended that it's one of those rare designer perfumes that really gives me a niche feel. The new Si Intense is an interpretation between the Classic Si and the old Si Intense, but if I have to specify one side, I found it closer to the Classic Si. I have used 4 or 5 bottles of the classic Si for years. One bottle of black intense, but I definitely think this is the best flanker so far🌹 By the way, it's a very, very lasting scent but it does not project well on my skin.

Armani you should never discontinue this beauty! Among the Si flankers I've smelt, this is the closest version to Si Le Parfum, which dare I say has the niche quality, but has also been discontinued unfortunately. Si Intense 2021 is fruity, syrupy, boozy, ambery with a rosy undertone. Despite being very sweet, it never gets juvenile. I'd say this is a younger sister of Le Parfum. Le Parfum is boozier, more ambery and less floral, which is my favourite in the Si line. I can easily tell the difference between the 2023 intense version and this version. The former is more vanilla forward, which to me smells very similar to La Belle. This version has more depth, more grown-up, maybe thanks to the resinous quality from the benzoin and booziness brought by the fermented fruits. Not saying the 2023 version is bad. It's still pleasant, but I definitely prefer the 2021 version.

This is my newest acquisition and my first Si fragrance. I smelled it on a free tester, didn’t want to buy it first, since I have enough fragrances already.. but this scent just wouldn’t leave me alone. After a week(!) I could still smell it on the paper, so faintly yet sooo delicious. It’s a scent I would want to drink or eat! Somebody wrote 'mouth watering' and that's exactly how I feel about it, too. I'd call this a healthy gourmand. Instead of candy you get the most delicious dried fruit, sprinkled with vanilla and cinnamon. Perfect for fall as it also reminds me of a warm fruity, slightly boozy drink.. like ‚Glühwein‘ as we say in German or ‚mulled wine‘ according to google translate.. I think there’s a different name for this, never heard of ‚mulled wine‘ lol

🌸 As a gift to cheer me up my partner bought me a vogue magazine, inside was a peel back sample of this and upon smelling it I became obsessed. I kept the packet, rubbing it on my wrists to constantly go back in and smell, then for my birthday we went to the shop to smell it straight from the bottle and that was it, my mind was made up. Along with the sentiment I feel for this perfume I'm also impressed that it doesn't have a single turn in notes that puts me off. Most perfumes to me feel to sharp, too cloying, dusty, indolic or sickly but this is an addictive scent to me. I couldn't possibly wear it in the day or to work, it's deep and sexy and I feel it carries best in colder weather so it has been inducted as my go to "special occasion" perfume.

I have the original version of Si Intense and I'm not really a fan. It's sort of bland to my nose. I haven't smelled the new 2023 version yet but suspect I'll like it since I'm a bourbon vanilla lover. However, this version is the most comforting fragrance I own. Even after 300 bottles this is the one I turn to for warmth and peace. I cannot believe Armani has discontinued this version. I'm so distraught over it. I just bought a replacement 100 ml as my 50 ml is on its last leg and I've been lathering myself in it since it is so affordable (for me). Now after learning about the discontinuing of this bedrock fragrance I rushed to buy 3 more 100 ml bottles as I can never be without this.