There’s something about testing a fragrance first thing in the morning—it’s like seeing it in its truest form, before the noise of the day sets in. This Givenchy is my third from the Gentleman line, and on a fresh morning wear, it feels like the most natural fit yet. Instead of leaning into mystery or seduction like an evening scent, this one gives me clarity. The woods are still there—confident and structured—but they’re brighter, more energizing in daylight. It’s not heavy, not cloying. Just a steady, masculine presence that makes getting into the day feel sharper, easier. I’ve already tried the Intense EDT and Privee, both fantastic in their own right, but here I get something different: a clean balance of warmth and freshness that makes sense with sunlight streaming in. If the others are for nights out, this one feels like it belongs with coffee, cool air, and the first few steps out the door.

Givenchy Gentleman Intense EDT (2021) vs Gentleman (Original 1974) Two fragrances head to head. Here we go. A battle of the eras. One spray of Intense on my left wrist. One spray of Original on my right. Here we go. First off the similarities: They both have Gentleman in the name. …. ….. .... And sure bergamot and cedar, but really those notes are just carriers for everything else. These two fragrances are nothing alike in experience. Funny that they have the same name, as if the one is a derivative of the other. Really? I can’t figure that one out. Well, now for the differences. Givenchy Gentleman Intense EDT (2021). I have done a review of this one before, and my original review still stands. It has a bit of a bite on first spray, like most bergamot fragrances honestly. Of all the initial citrus scents, I do prefer bergamot. It seems that it is largely a “carrier” scent meant to be the means by which we experience the rest of the initial notes. It has a sour bite to it, but not a fruity forward citrus. And as a base for the top notes it works so well. But dry down settles nicely into that familiar cedar wood note. What sets this one apart from the other is the iris note, giving it a floral powdery almost waxy foundation. This is not an iris bomb like Dior Homme Intense which is also delightful, but I can understand people’s reservations to the waxy, almost ChapStick note Iris can bring. You do not get that here, so be at ease. Longevity is a good 5 hours of decent projection. A skin scent at 6 hours. Gone at 7 hours, maybe a little longer in a cool setting. And I was able to detect it on my clothes as late as 12 hours later. Givenchy Gentleman (1974). Like the Intense, there is a sharp bergamot opening, but on top of that is an animalic funkiness. Right off the bat, that civet musk comes through and lasts for the first two thirds of the fragrance life. Civet was new to me. This is a more sexy masculine almost funky note. And though this could be a work scent, I get the impression that a date night or a sophisticated event would work better. Also, this is a cooler weather scent in my opinion. The musk is rich and in the heat when combined with your own body smells, this one could lean into your body odor too much. Under that musky civet note, was a nice rose floral note taking a little of the bite away from the musk. For a cool evening or in climate controlled situations, it would be perfect. Now, this is an older profile and for that reason most women that I’ve tested it on have said it reminded them of an older man in a good way. As the fragrance evolved it shifted more toward a clean cedar, and warm amber, also leaning on those very masculine notes. For longevity, you can imagine, these older fragrances have poorer longevity. It was a skin scent at 4 hours, and gone at 6. For the early hours it was a decent projecting fragrance, 3+ feet for sure, but that wanes quickly with its short longevity. Overall, I did really enjoy this one.

Absolu isn't an option! Already have a couple hundred ML. I don't want anything from The Scent line. Already have Oud and Oud Saffron. Don't forget to take price vs ML into consideration. Other BOSS BOTTLED options considered. P.S. YES I'D TAKE INTENSE IF IT WAS STILL AVAILABLE.

Imagine that you are living in the 90’s, you are on vacation visiting a friend in another country, and you left your fragrances at home. You are staying with his family ann these are the fragrances available in that house. Which one you would choose as a signature scent?

Which perfume with a bitter scent and long-lasting fragrance do you think has stronger projection and better longevity?