Montale | The Scented Hound

May 22, 2023
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Montale Herbal Aquatica

WHAT I SMELL: Herbal Aquatica opens with fresh warmed bergamot that’s surrounded by a bouquet of herbs with mint front and center. It’s so light, fresh and airy which makes for an instant spritz of joy on the skin. In not too long, a magnolia note (the notes say lotus) brings in a creaminess that is like a river of satin that wraps the wearer in a sheen of lotion. Along with the florals comes a a sweetened and lightly confectioned glaze that seems to grow with every intake of the perfume. At this point, Herbal Aquatica moves from the more floral to the gourmand and the perfume takes on a sugared hue. I have to admit that I’m a bit worried at this point because the perfume started off so promising as a gentle wrap to the wearer. But with the sugar it’s turning the perfume from a lovely whisper to a bit more of a shout. Thankfully, after some time, Herbal Aquatica begins to even out and settle down and the florals along with a sandalwood help to bring to bring the perfume back to the edge of the garden.

From the Montale Parfums website:

Herbal Aquatica is a unique and peaceful composition, herbaceous and woody, fresh and sweet, surprisingly sensual. Lotus flowers, Papyrus and Sage evoke a journey to the banks of the Nile where the sun, like an offering, lets us see its last luminous rays.

The freshness of an early evening where the slightly mentholated spray transports us to the heart of Ancient Egypt. Herbal Aquatica, an undeniable treasure.

Top Notes – Mint, Calabrian bergamot, Herbal Notes and Sage; Middle Notes – Lotus, Sea Notes, Green Tea, Papyrus and Caramel; Base Notes -Australian Sandalwood, Vanilla Sugar and Amber.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Cottonelle toilet paper. I don’t know about other parts of the world, but in Mexico we have toilet paper in scents of magnolia, vanilla and violet. This smells very much like the magnolia and vanilla and that’s not a bad thing.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HERBAL AQUATICA: comforting, positive, creamy

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT HERBAL AQUATICA: No written reviews found.

BOTTOM LINE: Herbal Aquatica is so wonderfully inviting at first spritz as its soft beauty is like a dream. Then the perfume moves to the more bold with an addition of caramel and vanilla which takes the softness away, while still remaining delightful. I like Herbal Aquatica and given the right time for wearing it along with a gentle spray it may just move from a like to more of a love.

P.S.: After many wears, I will say that a gentle spray really is the key to making this perfume a joy to wear.

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $170 for 100 ml eau de parfum. Also available in 50 ml.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.

February 2, 2013
by The Scented Hound 24 Comments

Montale White Aoud

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

May 20, 2012
by The Scented Hound 12 Comments

May Lily by Freddie and other reviews

A couple of weeks ago, Freddie author of the smellythoughts blog, tricked his readers with a review on a new perfume May Lily. As it turns out, this was Freddie’s first foray into creating a scent. Creating that perfect scent is something that no doubt, all perfume lovers dream about and I believe that he was extremely tickled to have the opportunity to actually try. You can read all about May Lily by clicking here.

After reading his review, I said I would love to sample his new fragrance and to give it a review of my own. Freddie kindly offered to send me a sample of May Lily and forwarded a batch of other scents as well. There was only one problem, when the package arrived, all of the writing on the labels had faded and as a green pen was used, all that was left was green & yellow undecipherable smudge. So Freddie told me what he sent and I am seeing if my nose can differentiate the different scents. So hold on, I hope that I am giving the proper quick reviews for these fragrances.

May Lily by Freddie – May Lily starts off with a floral sweetness. There is a nice, soft and sweet innocence about the opening. But given a short amount of time, May Lily turns a bit more subdued, I smell ever so much of a hint of leather and what I almost characterize as a baby powder kind of smell, but without the powder aspect. There is something strangely familiar with the mid notes, maybe its the lily, but it doesn’t seem like lily to me. And as time goes on, there is a bit of a burnt smell that lightly creeps out. Kudos, to Freddie for this first attempt, there is nothing linear with May Lily and that’s part of the excitement to watch the scent change and morph! And this is clearly a unisex scent that could work for anybody. Bone Rating of 4 Bones out of 5.

Aoud Lime by Montale – I made the mistake of opening up the Aoud Lime by Montale and applying that first. Unfortunately, once you get a whiff of this scent it holds your nostrils hostage and you can’t smell anything else. Aoud Lime holds nothing back, it’s loud and sharp in almost a plastic beefy sense. I smell some rose and saffron, but am not really getting the lime. I’m not a huge Montale’s fan and this scent hasn’t change my mind. Bone Rating of 3 Bones out of 5.

Commando by Smell Bent – If you read the review by Freddie on Commando, you’ll find that he is in love with this scent. To me however, Commando smells like a dirty jockstrap. Commando is a mix of sweat, musk and other fecal and noxious ingredients. I have said enough. Sorry Freddie. Bone Rating of 1 Bone out of 5.

Avignon by Comme Des Garcons – Avignon reminds me of summers at my cousin’s farm. There is something very familiar with this scent. Old wooden floorboards, mixed with dust. Burnt wood and ageless use of an old building. Avignon’s incense and dryness make for an unusual scent. It is a scent that I would have a hard time finding the right time and place to wear it. And I typically like scents that make me feel warm and happy. There is something very remote about this scent. Avignon is a scent that wears you, not the other way around. Incredibly interesting… probably more suited for the Goth in your life. Bone Rating of 3 Bones out of 5.

Freddie sent some other samples to me, but at this time, by nose is tuckered out from identifying and testing these different scents in one setting. More to come with the others!