WHAT I SMELL:  There is something very disconcerting about the opening of a Montale fragrance.  I have noted many to be start off being  plastic and artificial like they were conceived from a test tube rather than through a perfumer’s nose and hands.  White Aoud is no exception; it covers your skin like a latex glove that has a slight powder inside that allows you to slip them on easily.  The saffron is evident as it tugs with the plastic which finally after a good while starts to give way to a pretty rose.  However, I would not call this a “rose” fragrance, it’s far more complex than that as the agarwood and cardamon mix and start to spice things up a bit.  But the journey does not to end there… what starts off as a latex glove turns finally into a lovely lightly powdered vanilla and patchouli floral beauty.  It’s very comforting and very pretty, but not so much so that it doesn’t also work for a man.

White Aoud Notes:  Rose of Damascus, saffron, agarwood, cardamom, jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood from Mysore, amber, vetiver, vanilla and labdanum.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Tina Turner in Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome.  She’s a woman living in a world ruled by petroleum and White Auod feels like it’s derived from petroleum.  Even though it’s derived from petroleum, it’s the perfect solution from getting away from the grit and dirt.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE WHITE AOUD:  artificially pretty, soft, strong

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WHITE AOUD: Perfume Smellin Things, The Scentuary, Now Smell This

• Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
• Scent: Oriental  Floral WoodyMusk
• Classification: Feminine – but easily worn by a man
• Expense: $110 for 50ml EdP