Body Eau de Parfum Intense

The Verdict

Burberry Body Eau de Parfum Intense is one of those discontinued fragrances that the community refuses to forget. Released in 2011 and crafted by Michel Almairac, it arrived as the amped-up sibling of the original Burberry Body and has since developed a cult following among those who discovered it before it vanished from shelves. With a community rating around 4.05 out of 5, the reception is overwhelmingly positive -- 41 percent love it and another 41 percent like it. One Fragrantica reviewer described it perfectly: the original on steroids. The opening is louder, the peach is juicier, the wormwood is more bitter, and the drydown, when it arrives, is heavenly.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a powerful blast of ripe peach and bitter wormwood (absinthe) that demands attention. This is not a gentle introduction. One community member warned that a single spray fills the room, so caution is warranted. The freesia adds a sweet, peppery floral brightness that lifts the opening beyond mere fruit-and-herb.

As the initial impact settles, the heart reveals a sophisticated trio of iris, sandalwood, and rose. The iris adds a powdery, sophisticated quality, while the sandalwood provides creamy warmth. The rose is restrained and mature, adding floral depth without sweetness. Community members describe this phase as less powdery than the original Body, more juicy, and more bitter -- a combination that gives it a distinctive edge.

The base is where Body Intense earns its devotees. Cashmere wood, musk, vanilla, and amber create a warm, enveloping cocoon that multiple reviewers describe as sultry, sexy, and deeply comforting. The cashmere wood note is central to the Burberry Body identity, providing a soft-focus woodiness that feels like expensive fabric against skin. One reviewer called the entire composition a bottle of relaxation and peacefulness that evokes a confident, calm, and powerful woman.

When to Wear It

Fall and winter are the primary seasons, with early spring as a viable extension. The warmth and density of the composition need cooler temperatures to feel balanced; in heat, the opening could become overwhelming. One community member reported preferring the original Body in warmer months and reserving the Intense for cold weather, particularly autumn.

Evening wear is where this fragrance thrives. Date nights, dinners, and evening events give Body Intense the context its character demands. It can work for the office, but one-spray restraint is essential -- this is not a fragrance that fades into the background, and colleagues may have opinions.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is one of Body Intense's strongest qualities and a key reason for its cult following. Multiple community members describe insane longevity and projection that borders on too much. The initial blast projects strongly for 2 to 3 hours before settling into a persistent, warm sillage that can last 8 to 10 hours or more.

One Basenotes reviewer noted the intense version tends to make the fragrance just a little less long-lasting than the original in terms of total hours, perhaps quieting down a couple of hours earlier, though the difference is not dramatic. The intense opening uses more of the fragrance's energy upfront, creating stronger initial presence at the expense of marginal end-stage duration.

One to two sprays is sufficient for most situations. This is genuinely a less-is-more fragrance. Apply to pulse points and let body heat do the work.

The Community Says

Basenotes reviewers are especially enthusiastic. One called it the best Burberry so far, describing it as warm and very, very female. Another reported that everyone at the office asked what they were wearing the first day they wore it. A Fragrantica reviewer rated it 8.25 out of 10, saying Burberry hit the nail on the head -- while not comparable to niche, it is easily the best of the Burberry line, warm, soft, classic, and easy to wear.

The negative experiences are fewer but vivid. One reviewer initially found it incredibly sexy but developed headaches and nausea after several days of wearing it. Another felt the green absinthe note mixed with freesia made the opening too sour. And in what may be the most entertaining review, one community member noted it always reminds them of marijuana -- though they stopped short of calling that a bad thing.

The discontinuation is a sore point. Fans who discovered Body Intense early enough to stock up consider it a treasure. Those who arrived late express frustration at secondary-market prices and difficulty finding genuine bottles.

Who Should Buy This

If you love warm, woody-powdery fragrances with genuine character and impressive performance, Body Intense is worth seeking out. Women who want a fragrance that reads as sophisticated and sexy without relying on conventional fruity-sweet formulas will find this compelling. Fans of the original Body who wish it had more impact will find exactly what they are looking for.

Skip it if you are sensitive to bitter herbal notes -- the wormwood is prominent and can read as sharp on some skin types. If you prefer light, airy fragrances or need something appropriate for summer, this is too heavy for those contexts. And given its discontinued status, be prepared to pay a premium and verify authenticity if purchasing from third-party sellers.

The Bottom Line

Burberry Body Eau de Parfum Intense is a reminder that mainstream designer houses can produce genuinely memorable fragrances when the stars align. Its peach-wormwood opening, powdery-iris heart, and cashmere-amber drydown create a composition with real depth and character -- one that the community continues to champion years after it left store shelves. If you can find a bottle, you will understand why people hoarded them.