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Greetings, gentlemen. This week, I’ve been exploring Polo Cologne Intense from Ralph Lauren, a fragrance I’ve been eager to try, especially as a fan of the original 1978 Polo Green. Is it a mere replica of the original? Not quite. It’s a whole new experience, blending the essence of the original with a unique modern twist. We’ll delve into that, but let’s not set our expectations too high just yet.
Let’s address the burning question on your mind. Is this fragrance worth your time and hard-earned money? Let’s find out.
Pricing
It’s priced moderately, which is in line with other Polo fragrances. While it’s a bit higher than I’d prefer, it’s crucial to remember that this is a Ralph Lauren fragrance, and the price reflects the brand’s esteemed reputation. Despite occasional price hikes that may not always seem justified, it’s undeniably a good value for the quality you’re getting, ensuring you get your money’s worth.
When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.
They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.
Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇
Appearance and Presentation
As you would expect, it looks very similar to the original, with minor tweaks, such as the gold cap, now gunmetal grey, and the bottle’s slightly different green colour.
For the record, I still prefer the original. It looks like something that wouldn’t look out of place in the trophy cabinet down the golf club, but I guess the new version is still acceptable.
The Notes
Top Notes – Basil, Mint, Grapefruit
Middle Notes – Clary Sage, Violet Leaf, Thyme
Base Notes – Ambroxan, Vetiver, Patchouli
Thoughts about the scent
So what do we have here, then? The scent was a delightful surprise, blending an old-school vibe with a unique modern twist. It opens with fresh, minty notes and a pleasant blast of grapefruit. As it progresses into the dry down, the greener herbaceous notes begin to surface, complemented by the woods and earthy undertones. It maintains a fresh feel throughout, undoubtedly very masculine.
It’s a decent scent (not fantastic), but I found it quite enjoyable to wear, and I would have no issue wearing it out and about. As a fan of green scents, I appreciate the well-composed nature of this one.
How does it compare to the original Polo Green?
So it would seem they have stripped out some of the more traditionally masculine notes once more prevalent in the 1970s and 80s, such as the pine and oakmoss, and made things a little simpler. They have essentially made a fresher, sweeter, more contemporary version of the original that might be more suited to today’s modern man.
It retains some of the original DNA to a certain extent. However, it’s important to approach this fragrance as a unique creation. If you’re expecting a replica of the original, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you’re open to a new interpretation, you might get on with this one. Just don’t expect it to put any extra hairs on your chest as its predecessor did.
To sum it up, if Polo Green were released today instead of 1978, it would be something like this. Having said that, it’s nowhere near as good, in my opinion. It’s horses for courses (pun intended), each with its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s a matter of personal preference at the end of the day.
Performance
Now, let’s talk about how this fragrance actually performs. Despite the name Polo Cologne Intense, this fragrance isn’t a cologne at all. It’s actually an Eau de Parfum, which is a fancy way of saying it’s a stronger, longer-lasting fragrance. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry. I’ve got a free cheat sheet that explains all the different types of fragrances so you can make an informed choice next time you’re shopping for a new scent.
For some strange reason, many fragrance houses do this. They call it a cologne, but it isn’t. This is a good thing because colognes are the weakest type of fragrance you can buy. They typically only last around an hour, and that’s not what we want.
Despite the misleading name, this fragrance delivers a robust performance that will undoubtedly make you stand out. It has a moderate projection power, ensuring it’s noticeable within a few feet of you, and an overall longevity of 6-7 hours, which is quite good for an Eau de Parfam. While it may not match the intensity of the original, it’s certainly strong enough to get you noticed for all the right reasons. There are no performance issues here.
Want to try this fragrance on your skin?
If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:
When and where?
This is an all-season fragrance, although I would opt for something like this in the spring and autumn for the best results. Its practicality and versatility make it a useful addition to your fragrance collection. It’s office-safe and best suited for casual daywear. I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a dressy fragrance, so if the occasion is more formal, there are better options out there for that kind of thing.
Should you buy?
So there you have it, gentlemen. It’s a decent little fragrance any man can pick up and start wearing without much thought. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a solid addition to your fragrance collection. With its unique blend of old-school and modern, solid performance, and good value, Polo Cologne Intense is a fragrance you won’t regret picking up.
This is a man’s fragrance; make no mistake about it. It’s been crafted for those who prefer a more rugged traditional fragrance without going overboard. If that’s your thing, I recommend checking out some of my other reviews on Polo Safari, Quorum, or Paco Rabanne Pour Homme.
READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?
If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:
- FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
- Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.
👉 Pick the option that works best for you.
No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.
WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?
I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.
It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.