Extatic Intense Gold

Extatic Intense Gold, inspired by Balmain Extatic Intense Gold (2014)

Jasmine leads from the first spray, the heady night-blooming kind rather than a green, leafy one. Heliotrope comes in soon after; it is a small purple flower whose scent sits between almond and face powder. Vanilla blossom adds a gentle sweetness without the heaviness of vanilla pods. Labdanum, a resin from the rockrose shrub with a dark, leathery-amber smell, anchors the base together with amber.

About the original

Balmain released Intense Gold in autumn 2014, a few months after the original Extatic, with Émilie Coppermann again as perfumer. Launch material presented it as a heady, addictive take on Extatic, and it was not described as a limited edition. Compared with the first version it drops the pear, osmanthus and leather, keeping the focus on jasmine and resin. Intense Gold is absent from the current Balmain Beauty range, and it is reported as discontinued by at least one major retailer.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Balmain (Pierre Balmain) stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Next to the original Extatic, this is the denser and sweeter of the two. The almond side of heliotrope and the resin of labdanum give it a cosy, enveloping feel. Buyers looking for fruit or a fresher floral will be better served by the original.

Related scents

• Balmain Extatic
• Balmain Ivoire

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Jasmine

Heart notes: Vanilla Blossom, Heliotrope

Base notes: Labdanum, Amber

The opening is jasmine in full bloom, rich and heady.

Heliotrope brings a powdery almond tone, and vanilla blossom rounds the edges with a sweetness that stays floral.

Labdanum and amber form the base, resinous and faintly leathery.

Was Extatic Intense Gold a limited edition?

No. Launch press did not describe it as limited. It is no longer listed by Balmain, having been made under the Inter Parfums licence that ended in 2017.

Is this the same as Extatic Gold Musk?

No. Gold Musk (2016) is a separate flanker built around aldehydes and musk. This page is Intense Gold from 2014.

Is Intense Gold sweeter than the original Extatic?

Yes. Vanilla blossom, heliotrope and amber make it sweeter and more resinous, whereas the original has pear and osmanthus over a woody leather base.

Is Balmain (Pierre Balmain) Extatic Intense Gold coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Balmain (Pierre Balmain) that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Balmain and Extatic Intense Gold are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Balmain in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.