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

February 13, 2012
by The Scented Hound Leave a comment

Black Aoud by Montale

You would think that a scent that I would describe as going on as smelling like plastic and burning rubber would be a scent that I wouldn’t recommend. Well… when I first put this on, I was ready to wash it off right away. But as you know, things can change as time passes and indeed this is one of those times. I walked into work about 45 minutes after I applied this perfume and no sooner than I was in the door (I hadn’t even had time to remove my coat), did a co-worker lean over and ask me what I was wearing because it smelled so wonderful. Go figure. So in about an hour, I went from smelling like an old tire to smelling delicious. And yes, once the fragrance opened up, it turned into a lovely warm and musky rose scent. And don’t get scared of the idea of roses, this is not the kind of rose scent that your grandmother wore. Overall, it’s a very distinctive and original scent. In addition, it’s a scent that lasts all day. I’m just not sure that it’s a scent for me…but I’ll give it some time and will definitely give it another try; old tire smell and all!

From the Montale Website:

A magnificent Cambodian Aoud blended with Indonesian Patchouli leaves over a combination of Mandarin, Musk and Rose petals.