Wood and Spices

This is a second review. When I started this hobby, this came across as weird in a sharp unpleasant way, especially in the opening. However, I decided to revisit it years later, and 400 bottles later, and this thing was stunning. So comforting, so sweet, not in a cheap cloying way, but rather in an elegant sophisticated, warm woody (sweet creamy sandalwood) way. I don't detect any oud, but if there is any, it's so well blended with the touches of incense that is present in it. The woods, especially the creamy sandalwood and the omnipresent yet minor sharp clean vetiver are blended in the same way they're blended in something like Creed Original Santal, yet they don't smell alike at all. I really like it. However that said, this I have to be in a certain uplifted mood to wear it, and I don't know why. People around me always like it, in an expected way, not in a "what are you wearing way". Wood and Spices have way more elements in its construction than the note breakdown suggests. I can detect some florals in the background, like a cooling geranium, and maybe a little rose (very minimal), and aldehydes. Think of it as a more complex Dunhill Desire Red, without the designer fruity notes, but with more creamy woods and depth. Some people get a cat piss scent and I do think this has a touch of cassis, but also it's the sweet sandalwood mixed with vetiver that might bring in this note into play. If you really try to smell it up close and try to separate the composition, you'll no longer get that smell. In the air, this is beautiful, but DO NOT over spray...I can over spray real beast mode fragrances but will not do that here. If you like spraying Mancera Red Tobacco 8 times, do six or four of this one, not that it is stronger than red tobacco, but it defeats how this is supposed to work.

I think this one hits people in different ways. You either really like it, and pick up really nice notes of sandalwood and flowers (white florals) or you absolutely hate it and it comes across as cat piss. A year ago I bought a sample from Montale and it did in fact come across piss smelling. I decided to give it another try a year later, and it again another official sample, and it is now totally different, like day and night. It has hints of Amouage Reflection Man, and Gucci Guilty Elixir, with an overdose of woods. It also reminds me of Dunhill Desire Red but much higher quality. It's one of two possibilities. Either our tastes change or tor it's our different genetics interpreting the scent differently, but given how I changed, I think it's the first. I have over 500 different fragrances, and this comes as a niche interpretation of that Sandalwood - Floral - Vetiver. Another one I also like recently is Vetiver Patchouli from Montale, that I didn't like initially as well.

So, after purchasing a discovery kit from Montale, and being utterly disappointed (as a guy), I finally come across one fragrance, in the pack of 20+ fragrances, that I think is freakin' awesome and good for a guy... This thing is bright, this thing is elegant, and to @NOSEYBODY before me, who called this a Niche' version of Versace's The Dreamer, this fragrance is my favorite from Montale thus far. If you wonder what I did with the other samples, I handed them over to my wife. They were either too floral, had too much rose, etc. Way too feminine for my taste. Great fragrances but, not unisex at all. This on the other hand, my wife loves, I love, and its something you can probably pull off all year around in the daytime. As of right now, I'm wearing this in the Fall, and its *sniffs collar* so damn good. *Update* After a few days, I've decided to add this to my permanent collection. If you like The Dreamer and wanted another take on it, you will love this, hands down.

This is a lady killer! And I don't just mean ladies, but females in general. Females of all ages find this scent alluring in an almost magnetic way. My wife, co-workers, daughters and strangers all make comment and notice of this one. So, whether you are on the hunt for a lady friend, or just want to smell pleasant for the females in your life...this is it. NEVER has a fragrance garnered so much attention. Not an oudy fragrance, and that's ok.... maybe it's there to tone down the sandalwood. Loving this!! Fresh, woody, a little sweet, slightly soapy from the sandalwood and very versatile! I detect a note of sweet tobacco too, weird, cause it's not listed...wonderful surprise. Reminds me of something, but can't put my finger on it. Very masculine, can be worn anytime including humid days. Better than all the designer ambroxen-bombs fan boys covet. Montale is overlooked and under appreciated. 9.5/10

I like this very much, dont look at notes this is 100% a fresh perfume, perfect for all seasons (maybe in the winter something stronger and sweeter would work better) This legit gave me more compliments than Red tobacco, idk why the score is so low, maybe that is missleading but the semll def is higher that a 3.68/5. Longevity is verry good for a fresh around 7-8 hours, even more than 12 hours of a faint sent if you smell close to the skin. Projection I didnt calculate because its harder, but its good for a fresh it gave me compliments so people felt it, i also have a small decant and i reaply from time to time. In conclusion I say this is safe blind buy if you want something fresh with good performance, including that this is on the cheaper side from Montale house.