Orange Flowers

Genuinely don’t understand why they would discontinue a banger like this. Maybe I am biased, cause orange blossom is one of my favorite scents in the entire world and any perfume with this flower on the forefront will please me, but it’s easily up there with my favorite orange blossom perfumes. As a benchmark, if I had to name fleurs d’oranger by Serge Lutens as the best orange blossom, this would be another runner-up. I previously described Fleur d’Oranger as “the smell of paradise”, and while orange blossom is less heavenly and ecstatic, it is a sweeter counterpart. If FdO is actual heaven, Orange Flowers is a hedonistic emperor’s imitation of heaven in his gardens, with sweet treats layered with honey laying on a banquet and white flower bushes as far as the eye can see, the sun shining bright with a sweet breeze to cool you. Not a chagrin on your mind, a lover’s arms wrapped around you. Lasts very long, such a comforting and beautiful summer fragrance. I usually associate a scent with a city or a place, and Orange Flowers is the scent of a palace in the Mediterranean. Get it while the resellers still have them on their hands. Update: wore this out in Sevilla today and two people on different occasions (a barista and a waiter to be exact) told me I smell really good and that they could smell me as I walked in. Mind you this was a good 5-6 hours after spraying. This is going to be my new summer favorite and dare I say I like it even better than Sintra

Not much to add that hasn't already been said about this fragrance. I LOVE IT!! Orange Flowers is a spicy, orange blossom fragrance that opens with a definite citrus note. I definitely detect mandarin and lemon in the opening. Common with citrus openings, the citrus notes quickly dissipate and give way to the perfect blend of honeyed-floral notes. To my nose, I mainly detect orange blossom and a bit of jasmine (which I love) and syrupy ylang-ylang. Orange Flowers retains the density and thickness I adore with orange blossom fragrances. Throughout its wear, the perfume retains a rich and creamy feeling but never becomes thick and suffocating. Likewise, Orange Flowers never becomes shrill, thin, weak, or aquatic...never approaches tropical. The landing is a slightly sweet, honeyed, vanilla-musk base with a hefty dose of orange blossom and cedar! Longevity is good and silage is average for Montale. My only complain is the oiliness of the perfume. A simple spray leaves residue everywhere.

Got a sample of this today and gave it a go. I have never been a huge fan of dominant orange blossom, but this scent really took me by surprise. It is intense, yes, almost intoxicating, but in a really smooth and pleasant way. The heady orange blossom note, which is highly noticeable in both the opening, the heart and the base, has some lovely partners in warm spices, sweet syrupy honey and soft vanilla - which really brings out the best in this intense flower. The scent starts off very floral, with a shy citrus twist - and moves into a much more spicy and heady floral phase. The scent keeps growing warmer, almost incense-like, and the spicy honey notes gives the floral heart a very oriental and almost regal vibe. I can easily see an arabian, maybe egyptian, queen wearing this scent. It is feminine in a powerful way - heady, desert warm and with an alluring smoothness. There is no doubt. I need a big bottle of this. It is absolutely gorgeous!

I found my new favorite orange blossom! I say orange blossom, but there's a lot more going on than that. The jasmine is quite prominent, featuring both the green and indolic aspects of the flower. The combination of ylang-ylang and honey sweetens the orange blossom note. Also, there is a green-ish note that blends with the citrus top notes to create an effect that's a lot like petitgrain. Very natural smelling, unlike compositions like Serge Lutens' fleur d'oranger it's less sophisticated and almost naturopathic. If it wasn't for the niche price point, I would recommend it to quite a few "hippie" identifying individuals. Not a criticism by any means, but it smells more earthy and herbal than the smell of natural orange blossom. More natural than natural you could say.

I have to admit that there is a similarity with the l'artisan fragrance (which I have) but only on the dry down. It is powerful on application and spicey orange! Once the alcohol has dissipated then the spice softens and you get all the neroli and jasmine. There is almost a herbal feel. I keep thinking calendula should be listed in the notes. The honey and vanilla become more evident but if you are expecting a gourmand you will be disappointed. I like it. Moderate sillage and impressive longevity considering the notes in this. I really dont like the utilitarian Montale bottles and you cant see how much is in the bottle.