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Givenchy Incense, which version to buy?

post #1 of 16
12/12/12 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
Well I remember owning the surfboard shaped bottle, the very first, back in the early nineties. Loved it. I'm thinking of buying it again. I've smelled the les parfums mythique line version and, well, it's not to my liking at all. Much of the floral/femenine character is gone. So should I buy the original rounded bottle, or the later square bottle?

The square bottle is less expensive by about $30 which seems a fair whack.
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post #2 of 16
12/12/12 at 8:38pm
What is the square bottle? I've only seen the slightly rounded "Amarige" style bottle, whose contents, for what I've smelled, are excellent.

Good to know that the Mithiques isn't as good. I had never smelled it, and it seems to have disappeared even from the few stores that sold it.

cacio
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post #3 of 16
12/12/12 at 9:10pm
It's Insensé, not Incense, by the way.

I've only owned the rounded bottle with the flat face, so I'm not sure I can write off the later standard squared off bottle version. I would feel much safer with the classic old bottle unless someone steps up indicating the newer bottle is just as good.
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post #4 of 16
12/12/12 at 10:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
What is the square bottle? I've only seen the slightly rounded "Amarige" style bottle, whose contents, for what I've smelled, are excellent.

Same type of bottle as Xeryus Rouge and Givenchy Gentleman. Rectangular, rounded edges, central label and plastic sleeve cap.

Quote:
It's Insensé, not Incense, by the way.

Insense I can do. Accents, too much trouble.

Quote:
I've only owned the rounded bottle with the flat face, so I'm not sure I can write off the later standard squared off bottle version. I would feel much safer with the classic old bottle unless someone steps up indicating the newer bottle is just as good.

As much as I've heard is that there are three formulations. Exact words were that the second is 'still worthwhile,' but I'd like to hear a little more from someone who knows if possible.

Though as there's only one of the latter bottles, and eight of the originals available the decision will probably be made for me.
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post #5 of 16
12/13/12 at 12:04am
The original is a great scent IMO.
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post #6 of 16
12/13/12 at 1:22am
I'm familiar with the "rounded-amarige" style bottle only, but my guess is that the square bottle should still be the same juice.
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post #7 of 16
12/13/12 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

I'm familiar with the "rounded-amarige" style bottle only, but my guess is that the square bottle should still be the same juice.

This.
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post #8 of 16
12/13/12 at 7:56am
I use to love the original Insense', and I was also really disappointed in the Mithyque edition. It just didn't smell like Insense', really... You might come across Insense' Ultramarine, an embarrassing flanker which I don't think made much of an impact on anyone.
However, I remember the Amarige bottle, I don't really remember the surfboard bottle mentionned. If you can snatch the original bottle, just buy it. Two of them, if you can
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post #9 of 16
12/13/12 at 5:34pm
I recently obtained an original bottle (now on my sales page due to it not having a drydown that I thought was special), but never tried the newer ones. This version is very full, rich, and natural smelling, so I can't imagine anything produced recently being the same or nearly the same.
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post #10 of 16
12/15/12 at 10:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
However, I remember the Amarige bottle, I don't really remember the surfboard bottle mentionned. If you can snatch the original bottle, just buy it. Two of them, if you can

Apologies for any confusion but the Amaraige bottle is what I mean when I say the surfboard-shaped bottle. Sorry ^^;; I'm getting old and surfboards actually kinda looked like that back when I was a teen.
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post #11 of 16
12/15/12 at 2:38pm
I own both, surfboard and second version that looks like this:


They are definitely a little different but worth owning both imo!
The second version has less aldehydes and is a little less flowery but also more masculine imo.
The drydowns are pretty similar as is longevity and sillage (like 7 hrs and good sillage for first 2 hrs).
Overall the original is a little better but as you say also way more difficult to get and more expensive.
Mind that Luca Turin's review is imo about the second version and not the original and he gives 2nd version 5 stars!

If you like how the original Insensé smells like the second version is worth a blind buy! To me they are almost equally as good!

The Mythique version I never smelled. If you want to buy one of those go for the Vetyver which is more than excellent!

Good luck!
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post #12 of 16
12/15/12 at 3:16pm
You may have to go on eBay in the men's used fragrances to find the original surfboard shaped bottle. I would stick with the vintage.
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post #13 of 16
12/15/12 at 3:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by southerngardens View Post

You may have to go on eBay in the men's used fragrances to find the original surfboard shaped bottle. I would stick with the vintage.

Why?
You own/tried second version and don't like it?
For what reasons would you stick to vintage?
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post #14 of 16
12/15/12 at 3:37pm
The original is a great, i think you might want to get it. I like it better than the later release.

edit: I like the vintage more because it's more "thicker" and stronger to my nose, as well as more flowery and it appears to me it has more overall power.
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post #15 of 16
12/15/12 at 3:46pm
Heres an Idea for Givenchy, go back to making this with the original surfboard bottle formulation, and you will make lots of moolah!
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post #16 of 16
12/15/12 at 3:50pm
Some here say that first two versions have the same juice (almost, but I am sure they don't have)
Some here say the vintage is better than the second (without giving any reasons why).

I say again, for paying 30 dollars less, go for the second version as it is almost as good as the vintage! (just do not buy the Mythique version)
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Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › Givenchy Incense, which version to buy?