Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Intense Review (Patricia de Nicolai) 2009 + Trompez Le Nez Draw

via flickr

I have been a fan of the “First Lady of Niche” Patricia de Nicolai of  Parfums de Nicolai since the early 2000s. I was recently at Twisted Lily in Brooklyn with my boyfriend, who is new to fragrance and was experimenting with several niche perfumes to find one we would love. Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Intense was what we agreed on. What was interesting was that Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Intense is a “trompez le nez, (“fool the nose”) fragrance on him. It is based on a patchoulirose-pelargonium accord, but somehow it smells like leather, perhaps it is the musk and amber, (Mme.'s signature) anyway this not  a headshop patchouli.

Two Trees of Valinor by Patchak

I mentioned this to Sr. Contributor Sebastian Jara. He had a different, but no less exciting experience while at ZGO in San Francisco. For him, the top opens like a fougere, but again trompez le nez, as it unlike any patchouli fragrance he has smelt. His experience was how intensely green it became without any sharpness, as if you were walking into a forest. Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Intense is one of the house’s most popular fragrances and on Sebastian’s recommendation while in ZGO, he recommended it to a subscriber who bought this shapeshifter of scent immediately. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Parfums De Nicolai Patchouli Intense Review + Full Bottle WW Giveaway

Thanks to Parfums de Nicolai we have a draw for a 100 ml bottle of Parfums de Nicolai Patchouli Intense for a registered  CaFleureBon reader and Smelling Great subscriber ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD (if you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid).

To be eligible please leave a comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed about Sebastian’s YouTube review and if you are a fan of Parfums de Nicolai or patchouli fragrances. Draw closes 12/17/2018.

You can follow us @cafleurebon @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram. Check out @zgoperfumery and @nicolaiparfums on Instagram as well.

Available at ZGO Perfumery and Twisted Lily

 We announce the winners only on our site and Facebook page so like Cafleurebon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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91 comments

  • I loved his comment “like walking in a patchouli forest” That’s a walk I want to go on. I have yet to try any of the offerings from Parfums de Nicolai, but I am a big fan of patchouli. Massachusetts, US

  • I really enjoyed Sebastian’s review. I love pathchouli and my current favorite rendition is Monsieur by Frederic Malle. I like the way Sebastian went into the uniqueness of Nicolai’s interpretation of “patch” with the greenness and aromatic qualities. I am a fan of aromatics and green scents too so I am excited to try this one.

  • Heather Hoppes says:

    I’m interested in this perfume, since I enjoy patchouli in scents.
    There’s no availability in my area to try this line, Sebastian does such wonderful reviews and this sounds lovely.

  • Robert Quinlan says:

    I love the fact Sebastian continues to bring to light fragrances that not many others give exposure to , it’s so helpful for many people like myself who live in a town with no way of getting access to these fragrances.

    Patchouli is a love for me , weather it ‘s wearing the oil by itself or in fragrances mixed with other notes.
    The notes in this sound unique and unlike any patchouli fragrance i’ve tried thus far!

    Goodluck & god bless to all.

  • Spinning Serenity says:

    Awesome review, Sebastian’s enthusiasm always shines through and the fact he’s a big fan of this house got me intrigued. I recently got New York Intense (which I love!) because of him and I’d love to try this one out too!

  • Loved that it’s an intense patchouli that doesn’t smell like a headshop! That’s always the one thing that puts me off of patchouli fragrances, but a foresty patchouli sounds simply incredible!
    Michigan, USA

  • Oh yes, so excited for this one! I’m a huge PDN fan! New York Intense is one of my favorite in my collection. Such a great fragrance. I would absolutely love to participate in this giveaway.

    Sebastian is one of my favorite reviewers and the first that I found on youtube when first ‘going down the rabbit hole’ of fragrances.

    Sounds like a very classy patchouli scent – love it!

  • middleagedandmixed says:

    I love Perfume de Nicolai. I love her story and feel that Patricia is extremely talented. I like Sebastian’s description of this fragrance making him feel like he’s walking through a very green patchouli forest where it’s like breathing in patchouli very intensely. Also, I like hearing that even though it’s called Patchouli Intense, it doesn’t smell like an incense shop from the 60s.

  • I am intrigued by Sebastian’s saying that this fragrance is very green and woody, my favorite. Normally I would stay away from a strong patchouli but Sebastian has me longing to go right into the mist. Like all the detail.

  • Seems really good a “green” patchouli! I love patchouli and would love to have a bottle of patchouli intense from Nicolai Parfums!

  • Monica Beaton says:

    I always love Sebastian’s reviews – full of info and humour. I think Patchouli still gets a bad “headshop” rap, but it’s grown up and has become a note I’ve learned to love. I’m not normally a huge fan of “green”, but Patchouli Intense sounds just interesting enough to try! I live in Australia.

  • Interesting review from Sebastian. I really love patchouli and the way Sebastian describes it in this fragrance makes me eager to try it.

  • Masoom Haider says:

    Hey, I liked the whole review but mostly how Sebastian described the
    patchouli in this fragrance. I also liked the different setting in this video.

    I have never tried Parfums de Nicolai but I love trying and sampling new brands.

    I’m more of a vetiver guy but I’m getting in to patchouli a lot, thanks to Zino, Monsieur by FM and some Jovoy releases.

    Thanks for this worldwide giveaway!

    Masoom in Dubai.UAE

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    Love patchouli. Id love to try this house.
    Sebastián review great as usual.
    Miami Florida Thanks

  • I really enjoy Sebastian’s enthusiasm in this review! While I don’t mind patchouli as a note in scents, it’s not something I pursue as a dominant note, but this one sound exceptionally unique, and I love green scents! I’m in the U.S.

  • I loved Sebastian’s description of the green character of this particular patchouli.
    I enjoy both the main ingredient, and Madame de Nicolai’s creations.
    I live in EU, thank you.

  • I follow Sebastian since a while now. Truly appreciate that his reviews are temperate and informed (instead of being plainly bombastic as the vast majority out there) and he has a great nose for edginess. Love patchouli but have never tried this one (though I’ve tried Molinard’s Vanille Patchouli, thanks to Sebastian)… not so easy to find Parfums de Nicolai in Romania yet…

  • Love the house so can’t wait to try this patchouli by them. Very interesting to hear this patchouli is very very unique. US

  • Carlos R Rodriguez says:

    Patchouli is one of my most favorite scents. I grew up visiting the Caribbean. I remember smelling natural patchouli plants there. They smell so fragrantly. I became excited about Sebastian’s description of Nicolai’s PI because he says the perfume smells uniquely green-patchouli, which brings me back memories of the natural smell of the patchouli plant. I don’t have access to stores that sell Nicolai perfumes. Sorry I cannot speak of the line but by Sebastian’s YouTube description it must smell wonderful. He’s a reviewer that I respect.

  • A patchouli forest?!!! I’m already attracted to it, like a kitten to catnip. Thanks for another fabulous and descriptive review Sebastian Jara. And thank you for your generous giveaway CaFleureBon. USA

  • Sebastian’s review made me excited to get a sniff of it. It is actually intriguing how it is made of patchouli and does not smell like other patchouli fragrances.

  • cristian15_98 says:

    Great review by Sebastian as always he has a way of bringing fragrances to life. I love the scent of Patchouli it is one of my personal favorites. I have yet to tried this house but this description of Patchouli Intense by Sebastian has piqued my interest and now I am excited to try it.

  • I’ve always wanted to try any fragrance from Parfums de Nicolai. I love the patchouli note in perfumery and Sebastian makes a great description of this one, as always. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway, i am in the EU.

  • Just Add Light says:

    Wow! Love Sebastian’s new setting! Very colourful and appropriate. Was a little surprised that he’d never smelled anything like it, considering his extensive palette, but that just got me even more intrigued. And for some reason, I couldn’t get the movie FernGully out of my head. I suppose green is definitely my scene, as they say. Haven’t smelled anything from the brand, so this would be an incredibly interesting introduction. Canada.

  • I watch almost every video by Sebastian. I remember he made a list of his favorite De Nicolai fragrances and I was like: “why no mention of Patchouli Intense?” I’ve heard a lot about this perfume and many say you’ll either love or hate it. One thing he mentioned in his recent video, and I heard it from many people, is that Patchouli Intense De Nicolai is not all about patchouli itself. It is rather more greenish. I love patchouli and I love it more when it is masterfully blended with other fragrant notes. I wonder how this one actually smells. I wish Sebastian talked more about projection and sillage and more importantly longevity. I read that it is so strong it could last for 2-3 days on clothes! Thank you Sebastian and Cafleurbon for the giveaway.

  • Sebastian is a one of a kind guy in Frag review world, always doing the right stuff with right people. Nicolai is a house that i enjoy etc. NY Intense and Cuir Cuba for now. Patch Intense really gives a new fresh meaning to patchouli , maybe lavander and citruses… Love it

    Big wave from Belgrade, Serbia

  • Really enjoyed sebastians review he breaks it down and you can always get a good read on the fragrance to know if its something your interested in our not,this one definitely is it sounds wonderful,I love green fragrances so this ones on my must try list as a few more are too still haven’t tried any from house 🙂

    Canada here

  • Coincidentally, I put on Parfums de Nicolai New York this morning, so what a welcome surprise to see Sebastian’s review. Patchouli, lavender, cinnamon, sandalwood?? Say no more…I’m in!

  • Love patchouli. Wear mostly the head shop stuff in winter mixed with a vanilla . Very excited to try this. Hope I’m lucky. It being very green us a unique twist

  • I have interesting relationship with patchouli in my perfume journey. The first perfume that blew me away had patchouli as one of central notes but I am not impressed with perfumes where patchouli takes over all other notes. Given my experience with Patricia’s creations and Sebastian’s review, this looks like artistic patchouli perfume with green elements supporting the patchouli. My favorite from Patricia is New York which i have in both vintage and modern version. I am in US.

  • I have not tried Nicolai. I have these samples waiting to be sniffed!
    Kiss Me
    Cap Neroli
    Fig Tea
    Patchouli Intense
    Musc Intense
    Sacrebleu
    Number One

    I used to HATE patch but now have found the nuances in the different versions and learned to love it as long as it doesn’t have that hippie vibe. I love the herbal version and the powdery version. I love how it deepens other fragrances.

    In Sebastian’s video, I love how he loves patchouli. 🙂 He’s introduced me to a few. And,when he says it smells unlike any patch that he has intrigues me. The raw patch that I own is Molinard patchouli. It’s that straight up herbal green patch.

    I’m in USA.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Yes, it’s amazing & unique. This stuff sounds so damn good! My bottle of Parfums De Nicolai Patchouli Intense 100 ml bottle is running low & now 8-10 ml left, so need another bottle badly. Actually I have decanted 10 ml (2 times) to my cousin as a gift, as he too love this stuff. Patchoulic Intense silage & longevity is nuclear. This perfume is really a turn header. Thanks Jara for such a wonderful review. Would like to participate in the draw.
    Thanks for the generosity & opportunity.
    Pakistan

  • This perfume sounds really amazing an unique! I really want to get my nose on it. Sebastian is one of, if not, the youtube channel that got me into perfumes. Anyhow, I am such a patch lover, but most of the patch I own is dirty patch, well, it is a time for a change.

  • I love patchouli and green fresh aramaic fragrances. So this a must have for me. I really respect Sebastian’s review. I have purchased many fragrances based on his reviews.

  • I always look forward to Sebastian’s reviews, as we have similar tastes. Plus, like Seb, I love a good patchouli. I am a fan of Nicolai fragrances and am fortunate to own a few from the house.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

  • Ali Al Dawood says:

    A Patchouli without earthy dusty dirty smell, that will be interesting !.

    And this is what I like about Sebastian’s reviews .allways brings new things on the table.

    All the best Sebastian.

    Regards,
    Ali

  • Had a bottle of PdN’s New York a while back and loved it. A citrusy Fougere if I remember correctly. Extremely high quality. I do enjoy a good Patchouli. Several houses make interesting creations but this sounds different and very appealing. Sebastian provided a very clear idea of the impressions and has me very curious.

  • Sebastian’s review was great as usual and him saying “this is like no other Patchouli you’ve smelled before” or “like walking in a patchouli forest” has intrigued me. I have to get my nose on this. I LOVE patchouli. I am a fan of NYC Intense and Fig Tea by PDM, so I am sure I will love this Patchouli Intense. Thanks for the giveaway and I live in the US! 🙂

  • Milko Tsanzov says:

    I also loved his comment “like walking in a patchouli forest”. If I win this I will give it to my girlfriend because she loves patchouli based fragrances and I also love smelling them on her.

  • I love that this one is a different patchouli, which intrigue me since I have the classic patchouli of the 60s in Jovoy psychedelique

  • I appreciate everything from Patricia de Nicolaï. Even when some are not of my taste (eg. Cuir Cuba Intense with the liquorice note that I’m not too fond of), all of them are really well made. Patchouli Intense is not the usual earthy patchouli you’d expect, which makes it more interesting.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I like Sebastian’s review, cause it’s so understandable and enjoyable, he always makes me want to buy the fragrance he speaks about. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway. From Hungary.

  • saadfragrance says:

    Green , woody and like walking in a patchouli forest. Consider me interested. Hope i win but if i dont this is one i will still be sampling.

  • I haven’t had a chance to try any of
    The fragrances from this house. I am intrigued by Sebastian’s scent description because I especially love lavender & patchouli and most ‘green’ scents.

  • I bought this awhile back in the 30 ml and love it. I get leather and amber so my experience is more like Michelyn. I would like to try it again to see if I get more green now
    Also like cuir Cuba
    Hope you review it
    USA

  • Gerald Martin Moore says:

    Always love Sebastian’s reviews, and love Parfums do Nicolai since I discovered Balkis. Am fond of Patchouli if not super heavy and the description of this one makes me feel I would love it! NYC here.

  • Jeffrey Apodaca says:

    Loved Sebastian’s surprise at how this was not a traditional patchouli fragrance. I adore de Nicolais Number One and New York. Please enter me in contest. Thanks!

  • I love Parfums de Nicolai. Visited a couple of boutiques in Paris last summer but being hot outside I mostly didn’t try the Intense versions, I was craving lighter perfumes. Sebastian has a wonderful way of describing scents. I am so intrigued by the greenness of this because I have struggled with some other patchouli perfumes. I live in the US- Pittsburgh!

  • Thanks Sebastian! I loooooove patchouli! I would love to try a green one though I do love a Hippy Patchouli too. Great review! Thanks. I live in the US.

  • I love patchouli and the fact that this is a unique patchouli makes it of great interest to me. I would love to get to discover the facets of this fragrance that Sebastian described. I haven’t checked out any Nicolai Parfumueur-Createur fragrances yet, so I don’t have a favorite.

  • I like patchouli, my biggest favourite is probably Voleur de Roses, and I really like Mme de Nicolai’s work. My favourite perfumes are Rose Royale, a truly lovely rose scent, and Cuir Cuba. A friend sent me a sample of New York Intense, I can’t wait to try it!

    The one thing Sebastian has mentioned in his review makes me curious about this patch scent: its floral/green side.
    Thank you for the draw. Russia

  • I do love Patchouli fragrances. And I always enjoy Sebastian’s reviews. I loved his description of how it wore on his skin. I love the other notes in that drydown of sandalwood and incense. It sounds so gorgeous for winter!
    I live in the USA.

  • Oh, I would like to walk in the patchouli forest one day. Patchouli is one of my favorite notes, sounds so interesting that it is mixed with pelargonium and lavender. Sebastian is a great reviewer, a pleasure to follow him, because he speaks only about the scents that he really likes.
    Thank you for such generous draw, I live in the EU.

  • Gabriel Garcia says:

    Tropez moi nez!
    I loved Sebastian review, talking about Nicolai, for example I was totally
    Taken by surprise with cuir cuba intense,!
    Being a big fan of the patch, I can say that is probably up my alley.
    Las Vegas NV

  • I like the idea of walking in a patchouli forest. I have not tried anything from this house and Patchouli Intense would be a great start. I am in Eu. Thanks!

  • I like how people told him that it is not typical patchouli. Would love to try it. Cheers from New York

  • I enjoy Sebastian’s reviews because he is always reviewing houses and fragrances that are not known like designer fragrances. This allows others to discover these fragrances. I have not tried anything from this house yet.

  • michaelprince83 says:

    Great review Sebastian! I enjoy green/aromatic fragrances, the rose and cinnamon in the heart, and the woody base with patchouli to round this out sounds very pleasant.

  • I always love Sebastian reviews as he paints a pretty picture of the fragrance with visuals. Like Forest visuals. I do love patchouli and lavender fragrances. Would love to get my nose on this one for sure.

  • I really loved his review , it starts off with the notes and pricing and patchouli is my fav note in all perfumes!! I’m a big fan of Nicolai and winning this would mean a lot to me. Thanks
    CA USA

  • Sebastian is one of a handful of reviewers on youtube that I trust.
    I may not have the expensive taste in Fragrance like he does, but we enjoy many of the same types. If he says it’s good, I believe him.

  • Dorian Fischer says:

    My favourite parfums de nicolai fragrance is new york intense but they offer many more great fragrances, unfortunately I do not yet own a bottle. I am a big fan of patchouli and this one sounds like a winner to me. I really enjoyed Sebastians review because in six minutes he brought everything relevant on point. His style is just unique and you can hear that he does everything with his heart and soul!

  • Mohammed Balsharaf says:

    I tried a sample of this fragrance a few years ago. It is very unique n interesting n one of the best patchouli fragrances available hands down. I also have the tobacco one from bthe same house which is good also. I watched Sebastian’s video n I enjoyed it. It was brief n informative as always for this lovely perfume.
    Hopefully I can win this bottle

  • Thanks for another great review, Sebastian! When you say this is unlike any other patchouli fragrance that you’ve smelled, that it’s very unique and green, I know that it smells great and it’s a fragrance for keeps because you have a vast array of scents in your collection. I love patchouli and I’d love to win this! Thanks for this opportunity. – California, USA

  • I like Sebastian’s detailed reviews and he seems to be giving his hones opinion. I think I’d love this, because it’s the side of the patchouli that speaks to me more. I’m in the EU.

  • For me, as patchouli lover, phrase – “This is so, so different…I’m not even sure, did I smelled this kind of a patchouli before” is very, very intriguing! Thank You for the beautiful review Sebastian.

  • Sebastian really is able to describe a fragrance that makes it come alive. I love patchouli and find that it is such a great note when done well. I have two fragrances from Parfums de Nicolai. This would be great to have. Thanks for the draw. i”m in the USA

  • Haven’t tried a Parfums de Nicolas yet. This one sounds good and I enjoyed the review by Sebastian. Always does a great job. Not too much experience with Patchouli. Thanks. U.S

  • Mme Nicolai never fails to impress. I tried Patchouli Intense a few years ago and fell in love with it.
    Sebastian always manages to make fun and interactive reviews. The fact that this is a different patchouli with a green, herbal side, without being sharp is the same way I feel about it. Wonderful.
    Thank you for a great review, Sebastian and a big thank you for the draw.
    I’m in the EU.

  • I very like Sebastian’s reviews. He he always describe the perfumes very good. I have never tried anything from Parfums de Nicolai. But Patchouli Intense sounds wonderfully from the review, mostly when he said “it’s smells like walking in a green patchouli forest”. I would very like to win it. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • I love patchouli fragrances oh my goodness I was so excited after Sebastian reviewed this perfume, the description he gave makes me want to try it even more, sounds so beautiful I would love to own this, thank you Sebastian for your review!

  • Sérgio Teixeira says:

    Wow, just watched Sebastian take on this one, and let me tell you, for a patch lover like myself I instantly dream when he describes this as like walking into a very green patchouli forest. Excellent. Would love to try this. My favorite patch fragrance is Chanel’s Coromandel.
    Portugal here.

  • Another great review by Sebastian, which was no surprise! I appreciated his description of the accords and his impressions about this being a very different patchouli fragrance. I’ve been trying out some other patch-focused frags and would really love to try this one!

  • Great video! pachouli is a note thats still fairly new to me, I haven’t explored it enough yet. Sounds like a great scent!

    I’m in Canada

  • Walking into patchouli forest overrun by patchouli , with rose and cinnamon and amber in the base – say no more.
    My father signature scent is called New York and it’s made by Parfums de Nikolai.I do like it on guys over 45 and up.
    I do like patchouli fragrances – wear Ursa by Tiziana Terenzi right now.
    Tnx for the generosity .
    Back and forth between USA and Scotland – 1 week in US-.> one week in Scotland and so on , so basically US and Scotland (EU) at the same time.

  • Patchouli Intense sounds wonderful. I’m a big fan of patchouli and green earthy fragrances in general. Seems like this is a more fresh and aromatic take on the note. Don’t have any experience with this house and it seems like they are doing some good stuff. I will have to check them out. Arizona 🙂

  • I was under the impression Not all but most patchouli fragrances smell like dark chocolate. Obviously I was wrong and i’ curious about this different and green fragrance. I have never heard Parfumi de Nikolai before , but I need to sample it.Yes I do like patchouli fragrances.Lately i’m Big on Patch Flash by Tauerville.Thank you for the opportunity.Usa and Germany from time to time

  • I’ll start by saying that Sebastian makes me want to try almost every single fragrance that he reviews haha.

    What I liked the most about this one, was how Senastian described the green +fresh spices that you can get, with a metalic ubdertone. That certainly sounds unic and very appealing to me.

    Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to try fragrances from Parfums De Nicolai, but I can say for sure that I’m a Patchouli Lover.

    Coromandel was one of my signature scent for a very long time.
    Hope I’ll get the chance to try this one by winning the draw haha.
    Thank you for the opportunity.

  • Prior to Sebastian, I avoided patchouli. Because it was ubiquitous with the unwashed of downtown Berkeley and the Haight. But now Im glad to be counted among the “Patch Hoes”. I even grow the stuff. I familiar with Parfums de Nicolai, but have not experienced anything from the line. – California, USA

  • Patch like no other? Is Sebastian is genuinely impressed by a fragrance … should be a good one.I will sample it 100% …. too much use of “unique” in this video not to.
    My first encounter with Parfums De Nikolai brand was when i sampled New York Intense in mid 2015,and bought it right after …yes i know i was super late to the party .As a HUGE Bois du Portugal fan for many years i was blown away by the smell,quality,longevity,projection,sillage …. fantastic fragrance and a must have for me.Nothing beats it at this price range.
    Everybody loves a good patch fragrance .For example both Von Eusersdorff Classic Patchouli and Classic Patchouli Balmy are perfect for the season.Own and love both.
    I do follow all @cafleurebon, , @nicolaiparfums and @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram. @zgoperfumery too.
    VA USA or London UK at least 97/100 times.

  • I never smelt anything from that house. My favorite patchouli -as of today- is Zegna’s Javanese Patchouli. Will that change? It depends of you 🙂

  • Jared Austin Pitts says:

    Sebastians video was wonderful and very detailed. I have never tried any of the frags from this house but I love patchouli fragrances and cinnamon is one of my favorite notes. I qpuod love to get my nose on this and others from the house!

  • Have never smelled anything from this house or any other patchouli centered fragrance to be honest, excited to check out a sample. Always love the amount of detail Sebastian puts into his reviews!

  • Yes, I’m a fan of patchouli fragrances. Sebastian’s reviews are always captivating and draws you towards the fragrance. He’s passionate about fragrances and you can tell from his reviews. I enjoyed this one.

    I live in California

  • Really into Sebastian’s work, I trust his nose. So naturally, when he said he has never smelled a patchouli like this, I was hooked, I need to try this fragrance. Patchouli is a difficult note for me since I don’t like it being too dirty or too dark, so the fact that he mentions it having sort of a fougere face, really peaks my attention.
    Thanks for the draw. USA here

  • I remember sometime back Sebastian mentioned about Musk Intense and very much loved that. So, I remember this house since then..I like pachouli sometimes in my fragrances but this one looks more promising than usual. India here.