Desire Extreme by Alfred Dunhill

As a fan of the rare and beautiful in Desire for a Man, I’ve been curious about the Extreme for years, especially with its promising notes and that intense red bottle with a super elegant matte black cap. Dunhill is gaining ground thanks to Icon, but the Desire collection often goes unnoticed; however, its fragrances have nuances that aren’t as repetitive as usual. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to find here, but I finally snagged it on sale and I’m glad I added it to my collection. The opening is very pleasant, more energetic than the original, with a candied honey touch reminiscent of the first, but without that androgyny. Blood orange gives a warmer, fruity sweetness, accompanied by bergamot and saffron that create a cozy atmosphere. Then, as those notes settle, the wildness of cypress and helichrysum emerges, giving way to a surprising leather, a bit dirty, with a base I didn’t expect. The longevity is short, around 5 or 6 hours, but since I love it so much, I don’t mind. It’s more mature and masculine, yet still friendly. The notes blend beautifully, making it perfect for everyday wear without being restrictive. If you like the original, you’ll love this. Recommended: 8.5

As a loyal fan of its parent fragrance, I was slow to try this version, not due to lack of interest, but because of the hype. In the end, I picked it up on a 100ml deal, and since then, it’s an undisputed staple in my collection. Don’t let the ‘Extreme’ tag fool you; there’s nothing extreme about it. It’s a scent similar to the original in versatility, perfect for any situation. The opening recalls the parent: fresh, citrusy, and fruity with a touch of sweetness. Then it changes completely: it becomes more mature and characterful, yet light and pleasant. It’s a blend of leather and patchouli with sweet amber tones, refreshed by green notes of cypress and vetiver. At the end, only patchouli, leather, and amber remain, all balanced. Performance is good, lasting 5 to 6 hours on skin with a moderate trail that fades gradually. It’s not extraordinary, but it adds versatility for any time or season. If you like Desire for a Men, you’ll surely like this one. Think of it as a cocktail: 40% The Secret Temptation, 40% Colors Man Black, and 20% Desire for a Man. Ready to wear!

As a loyal fan of the original, I took my time trying this version due to the noise surrounding it, but I eventually bought it on sale and now it’s a staple in my collection. Don’t be fooled by the ‘Extreme’ name; it’s not extreme at all; it smells different but has the same versatility. The opening is fresh, citrusy, and fruity, a tribute to the mother. Then it changes completely: it becomes more mature and characterful, yet light and pleasant. It’s a blend of leather, patchouli, and amber with green touches of cypress and vetiver. In the end, it leaves a very balanced patchouli, leather, and amber trail. The longevity is good, around 5 or 6 hours, giving it versatility for any time of day. If you like Desire for a Man, you’ll definitely like this. For me, it’s like mixing 40% The Secret Temptation, 40% Colors Man Black, and 20% of the original. Ready to wear!

I received a sample as a gift. I don’t know much about Polo Red Intense, but it’s one of those masculine scents that, in my opinion, stands out among mass-market fragrances and those that just smell like deodorant. Right off the bat, the Dunhill opening is so much more elaborate than Polo’s. It’s glorious! Sweet yet fresh, and the first two hours are incredible. The citrus juice of blood orange or grapefruit is wrapped in the floral woodiness of cypress, a combination I haven’t smelled many times. Then the cypress and vetiver take over, becoming drier. But now (I sprayed it at 9:30, and it’s 12:30), soft powdery accords emerge, making it less astringent. I like it. I’m a woman, and I’d wear it without any prejudice.