Individuel

A sweet clean scent that lets a well-mannered young man show a little sensuality Montblanc Individuel is, to me, a men’s fragrance with a very distinctive kind of sweet cleanliness. At first, I get a raspberry-like sweetness and a soft, laundry-like clean feeling. However, it is not simply fruity or cute. There is something masculine and well-groomed about it. It is sweet, but not careless or sloppy; it feels like the sweetness of someone who takes care of his appearance. As it dries down, the soapy, fabric-softener-like cleanliness and the soft musk become more noticeable. This is not a fragrance that tries to dominate the room. Rather, it gives the impression of someone who feels reassuring when he is close, someone who is properly clean and well put together. On a man, Individuel feels friendly, gentle, and approachable. It does not suggest a perfect gentleman so much as a slightly shy young man who cannot quite hide the fact that he wants to be liked. There is something pure and endearing about it. Because of its sweetness, I think it suits a man who is intelligent, steady, and a little soft rather than someone too cold or aloof. It feels especially fitting for a man who has a gentle, well-mannered image but wants to show just a little masculinity and closeness. In my personal impression, this fragrance may be especially appealing to people who like the kind of East Asian masculine image often seen in Korea, Japan, or Taiwan: androgynous, reserved, clean, intelligent, and understated. It is not too loud, so it feels relatively safe to wear in humid climates. In drier countries, however, one spray might feel a little too soft or fleeting. To be a little critical, Individuel is somewhat calculated in its charm. It is not only likable; it also creates a subtle sense of intimacy. But that calculated quality is not unpleasant. It feels more like a fragrance that gently encourages a shy man when he wants to approach someone. On the other hand, I do not think it is the best match for a very flashy, aggressively masculine, or strongly outdoorsy type of man. If someone wants to project a more athletic, rugged, or openly seductive image, this fragrance may feel too light. On a woman, it becomes slightly unisex, like a clean white shirt. However, because of the sweet musk and raspberry, it can become a little too fabric-softener-like if oversprayed. I think it works best when used sparingly. I would wear this in spring, autumn, or on cool evenings. It may feel a bit sweet in the middle of summer, but for someone who enjoys clean sweetness, it is very easy to wear. For me, Individuel is not a fragrance of bold sexuality. It is more like “a sweet, clean, good young man quietly trying to seduce you.” It does not have overwhelming sex appeal, but it does make you feel as if you might allow someone to come a little closer. Notes for myself Sweetness: medium to slightly strong Cleanliness: high Masculinity: moderate Unisex feel: moderately high Season: spring, autumn, cool days Occasions: dates, everyday wear, days when you want to smell clean and approachable Caution: can smell like fabric softener if oversprayed

After mowing through 2 full bottles of this stuff within the last year, with a 3rd one on the way, I can safely say that this is my favorite scent. I love it. It checks all of the boxes: -It's unique, yet comforting. Raspberry, pineapple, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla notes make an appearance, yet none are overpowering. -It works very well with my skin chemistry regardless of season. -It's somehow fresh without going the usual citrus/aquatic route. I seriously dig the synthetic fresh linen smell in the opening. -The longevity is perfect - about 7 to 8 hours. It lasts most of a workday but doesn't get into obnoxious territory. -Speaking of work... this is a fragrance that won't get you sent to HR. I find it impossible to overspray. -The price is right. $20-25 for a full bottle? Ok, there you go. -High compliment factor. My wife loves it. Friends have randomly told me I smell good. I've even gotten 3 or 4 compliments from total strangers - something that has never happened before. -For what it's worth, even the bottle design is awesome. Solid atomizer, too. And as far as the Joop comparisons go... this ain't Joop. I'm not a Joop hater, but that's like comparing Sunny D to actual orange juice. Yeah, they have a couple similarities, but once you get past the superficials, you'll see it's not even close. In conclusion, my only complaint about Individuel is that it doesn't come in a larger bottle. I would buy a Gatorade cooler full of this stuff if Montblanc sold it as such.

This is my dumb reach for fall, thought it would be also great during winter and early spring as well. It would be too cloying for the summer. It's highly synthetic yet smells beautiful. Sharp frozen raspberries, or cold, breezy raspberry drier sheet - if I had to describe it, and dries down as a powdery smell. It pops up every now and then and surprises you when you catch a whiff hours after applying it. That's the phase I love the most. It's very easy to overspray, but only two-three sprays max is enough, more than that and you might get a headache. I own around 6 bottles of this and always looking for more in case this gets discontinued. In terms of audience, I think it's good for any age group. Suited up or dressed down casual. Night out in the town, fancy dressed up dinner, weddings..all good. INCREDIBLY versatile. I would suggest going easy on the sprayer and not judging the cologne based on the synthetic, headache-inducing rubbing alcohol type of opening. Wait until the smell develops. On skin it's great, on clothes it lingers for days. Based on the reviews here it seems like this is a polarizing scent..you either love it or hate it..so try first I guess. This was a blind buy for me, but was totally worth it. This and Mont Black Starwalker..instant like. Scent - 9 Longevity - 8 Sillage - 7 Value - 9

As others have stated, you get a very delicate body of slightly synthetic fabric softener with that fruity, powdery and fresh accord - but that's not a bad thing! I actually find it to work in it's favour and it surprised me with how enjoyable the mellow fruity aroma is for an older fragrance. I'd even say that the raspberry in this fragrance holds up incredibly well in this era of syrupy fruit-salad gourmands, and isn't nearly an offensive or cloying berry smell. Granted, it doesn't have the longevity or performance of a modern gourmand (and I wish they did an EDP just so I could smell it for longer) but it does have an moderate performance for an EDT that's a jack-of-all-trades and costs only £25 for 75ml! Individuel is timeless, you may be able to discern it as an early-ish Y2K style of cologne due to it's strangeness when compared to the shower-gels, the spice-bombs, the gourmands - but it stands on its own as something reliable and suitable for most occasions; it's laid back, maybe a little playful, comforting and definitely an easy dumb reach. In the line-up of Montblanc fragrances that all bark in different tones, this is an ole reliable that sings and is something every collector should have in their collection, just purely for it's versatility and value.

A little bit of bergamot that is immediately pushed aside by a quick pop of lavender and cinnamon in the early open, which is then backed by a spicy, ginny cool mint and subtle fruit; I don't so much get pineapple in that open though, I get a hint of the raspberry trying to barrel in from the base. As the spice subsidies the florals start to come through in the heart, primarily jasmine and orange blossom for me; that cool sensation continues on from the open as the mint hangs with me. Into the base I get creamy sandalwood, vanilla, and raspberry coming together to make a cranachan dessert, which takes on an almost musky bitterness as an accent. Patchouli, vetiver, and oakmoss are three of my favorite notes and while they are definitely detectable, I can't pick them out distinctly in the dry down underneath the gourmand; they instead come across as blended background greenery and it isn't until much later in the dry down the patchouli and vetiver in particular begin to stand apart as the sweetness pulls back. Overall this was a lot better than I expected it to be; I'd consider getting a bottle after my decant runs out. The gourmand nature might make it a bit cloying in the highest heat, but that does back off enough to where I believe it's all season capable.