Tall, dark and a gentleman.
After months of spritzing summer’s tidal wave of salty, citrus, fresh scents, Givenchy‘s latest eau de toilette is anything but. That said, let’s be clear: Gentlemen Only Intense was released during the sunny season—we’ve saved its sexy, leathery, woody elixir for now.
Why? Firstly, it’s steeped in four decades of history. Originally launched in 1974 as a honeyed, woody scent with powdered floral undertones, Gentlemen was reincarnated last year as Gentlemen Only, a modern, sweeter version of its predecessor. Now, mix-mastered with an evening-wear sensibility and devilishly-coveted identity—Australian actor Simon Baker, best known for his roles in The Devil Wears Prada and The Mentalist, is the face of the luxury brand—this new incarnation of the cologne spritzes a sense of timelessness.
The black ombré bottle is filled with aromatic notes of mandarin and birch leaf with warm, spiced patchouli and black pepper, set to the backdrop of sensual tonka bean, amber and cedar. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to fall’s crisp air, sleek attire and back-to-reality vibe. Plus, we admire how it gives the original ’70s tagline: “These days being a gentleman takes a different kind of style and finesse,” a whole new meaning.
A worthy addition to its 2013 daytime counterpart, Intense comes in two sizes: 50 ml for $74 and 100 ml for $98. It’s available at the Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores across Canada.