Fragrances inspired by Intense Café Eau de Parfum
The original
Intense Café
Montale
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedOur verdict
Intense Café and Café Intense share a similar rose-vanilla-coffee DNA, but differ in intensity and price.
What they share
Every one of its 6 notes is in the original, including Floral Notes, Musk, Amber
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Choose Cafe Intense when
You prefer a softer, more subtle scent profile.
What they share
Every one of its 6 notes is in the original, including Floral Notes, Musk, Amber
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Our verdict
While both Intense Café and Tanasuk share a sweet, rose-vanilla DNA, they cater to different preferences.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 6 notes, including Musk, Amber, Rose
The main difference
Adds coffee and floral notes, drops brown sugar and jasmine
Choose Tanasuk when
You prioritize strong projection and longevity above all.
Our verdict
Orientica's Sara and Montale's Intense Café both deliver a sweet rose and vanilla experience, but they diverge in their intensity and supporting notes.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 9 notes, including Musk, Amber, Rose
The main difference
Adds brown sugar and jasmine, drops coffee and floral notes
Choose Sara when
You prefer a softer, more delicate scent.
Our verdict
The main difference between Montale Intense Café and Zara Rose Gourmand lies in nuance and performance.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 9 notes, including Musk, Amber, Rose
The main difference
Adds caramel and carnation, drops coffee and floral notes
Choose Rose Gourmand when
Budget is your main concern.
Our verdict
Intense Café by Montale and Ajwad by Lattafa both deliver a powerful olfactory experience, but they diverge in character and affordability.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 7 notes, including Musk, Amber, Rose
The main difference
Adds cedar and fruity notes, drops coffee and floral notes
Choose Ajwad when
You seek a bold, intense fragrance.
Our verdict
Intense Café by Montale and Mocha Wood by Fragrance World both highlight the rich interplay of coffee and rose, but they diverge significantly in execution and price.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 14 notes, including Rose, Coffee
The main difference
Adds benzoin and canadian fir balsam, drops amber and floral notes
Choose Mocha Wood when
Need a budget-friendly option.
What they share
Every one of its 6 notes is in the original, including Floral Notes, Musk, Amber
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Montale. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.