Orient Extreme

The name is definitely confusing. If you can get past that, it's a smooth, soft, spicy, woody, resinous musk. I don't know who rated the notes that are here currently, but they must have been people who haven't actually tested the fragrance since rose is hugely in the lead at twice the weight of musk. Turn that around and it would be correct. This is not the usual Montale rose fragrance by any means - this is Montale musk. The only rose I get is a scattering of dried petals at the opening. They float past me for a brief moment and they're gone, never to return. From there it's sandalwood, benzoin, spices and above all a light, clean musk. Sillage is moderate for a short while and then it is a skin scent for hours. Having lived through the 70s where musk fragrances were loud, overused and almost always done poorly I'm not a huge fan of musk perfumes. This is the only one that I own, and of course it was purchased with the expectation of it being an oriental in the more usual Montale style. I'm going to keep it though, as it's a good fragrance for what it is. I do wonder what the person who named this was thinking. :P

Another masterpiece from Montalle.

This is dry, woody and harsh- I agree a bit with tackica_ns that this is a it of a cross between an oriental scent and a chypre rather than an extreme oriental scent.The sandalwood is rich, and the muskiness is superb-the rosy opening is delicious as the roses are in every Montale with a rose note that I have tried. But I applied too much, and less is more. The Benzoin here will burn your nose. I am not sure whether spraying on a Montale makes it last for as long as others say, but if I only apply a little, I can still smell it hours later, but I have to keep sniffing-I have tried other scents that continue to wear strong for longer than this does.... In any case, this is an extreme scent, whatever it is, and the end dry down is sultry and lovely....This is not my favorite, but if I had it, I would definitely wear it, it would suit some occasion! The natural ingredients and the overall smoothness and feel are unbeatable....If you love orientals you must try this--but I doubt this is the quintessential oriental...

I loved the opening - an extremely dry and skanky rose, cold as ice and very elegant. After the first blast it became even dryer and I could swear it smelled a bit like urine on me, the sharpness and skankyness was perfect! Unfortunately at the dry down there is too much musk for me to enjoy, it starts to smell cloying, also rose settles down to a much sweeter and spicier one and the dryness is overcome by muskyness. A pity I must say - it would be more interesting if it would have stayed as the dry and skanky queen rose from the opening, then I would seriously consider buying this, but the soapy ultra dose of musk is just not my thing.

The name led me to believe this would be a true oriental, with a lush, spicy tone and some sweetness. Not at all; it opens with a mix of dry spices, and as it develops, a slight woodiness and the powdery, soapy edge of clean musk mixes with the spices. It remains fairly linear from that point on. It is a nice fragrance, a bit different than many, and a nice mix of spices without heaviness. I reminded me a bit of Frederic Malle Noir Epices, in a dryer, less sweet way.