Presence

I bought this after a surreptitious sniff @ the store (TJ Maxx our Marshalls etc), because I felt it was as unisex as you could get without anyone questioning your choices.(LOL, as if I cared what others think about my fragrance choices). Anywhoo, this is a safe bet for the office, for that first or fiftieth date, for that job interview, heck, its safe enough for just about or for any occasion or setting. Be mindful, as it was with me, had I a significant other wearing this, they could ask for the moon and get it with a ribbon on it!. I do not get any (nada, nothing, no- no, well, maybe a teeny-weeny smidgen)of spices; nothing to blow your socks off, although with other reviewers ginger seems to be a predominate note. It just doesn't resonate for me. This is a cuddly, cozy, sexy and dare I say it, could make - you - a - magnet - for - the - opposite - sex- attraction scent, if I ever smelled one. Mind you, these are MY opinions and should not be taken as carte blanche for the masses. As @vertigo has so more aptly phrased it:"...the scent is not seductive - it's suggestive...". So if you are somewhat attractive/attracted to someone, this only amplifies current desires/feelings/thoughts/nuances . . .you get the picture. Update from my Nov 2018 review: I don't feel this is a dominant scent, but one which lets you know, hey, I'm here, and if you're interested, here I am, kind of scent. It doesn't shout, but it radiates attraction. I am drawn to this scent like few others in my experience. It would never cease to get my attention, if worn on the right person. That said, I would love to smell this on my relatives as well: father, brother, uncle, second-cousin twice removed. My Dad did use to wear Old Spice and it smells faintly of this, but less soapy, just-shaved scent. This scent skips a step and passes on the after shave and goes for this rendition. Only because it invokes feelings of warmth, closeness and companionship with those you love and care about do I associate it with the closeness of family and yes those you love, cherish and care for. IMO, fragrances are not always about getting laid or hunting your next sexual conquest, although many seem it as such for many others. i see this as a scent worn by a man who exudes confidence, and is comfortable in his own skin, but treads with a tad of uncertainty, not for himself, mind you, but on how well you would receive him should you approach him, not the other way around. He would want others to like him, but would not be unaffected by rejection. He is that humble a person. What's not to like about a man like that? Since I don't have a definite, all-time favorite fragrance I would like to smell on a man, I can say with a great degree of confidence, I would want my husband to smell like this, 50 percent of the time. This scent only gets better with time and while it remains decidedly close to the skin it still does its magic and continues to invite you into its warm embrace.It does not project much beyond your personal space, but oh, when someone comes within that space they can't help but take notice.

Have you ever had the full Barbour shoppe treatment? I’m talking the real deal: hot towels, exfoliation, beard trim, straight‐razor shave, warm conversation that feels like a hug for your soul... the works. Craftsmanship. Precision. Expertise. None of that “check in online” drive‐thru bullcrap haircut energy. No sir. Not today. Now take that rejuvenating grooming ritual; that symphony of steam, steel, and seasoned hands, and drop it directly into a hydraulic press. Hit that big ol' big red button and watch the pressure gauge climb into the “OSHA would like a word” zone! Then stand back as the very essence of that experience drips out in tiny, precious vials you’d absolutely hoard like a dragon with a grooming fetish! Bottle that up, splash in some perfumer’s alcohol, slap on a plastic cap that looks like it was ordered in bulk from “Giant Generic Caps R Us,” and voilla: You’ve just created Montblanc Presence. This stuff oozes comfort and nostalgia like the old‐timers at the classic cars & coffee meet‐up. The ones who can rebuild a carburetor with one hand and flawlessly hold court with the other. It’s steering wheels wrapped in warm leather and gear shifts with actual numbers on the knob. It's the cinnamon‐sweet glow of slipping into the back with your date to get a little handsy (and maybe a little more if you play your cards just right.) This is the fragrance equivalent of a man who knows how to fix things; not because he wants to impress you, but because he genuinely enjoys his craft. Presence doesn’t project like it’s trying to win a county fair yodeling contest. It’s more of a personal bubble fragrance. The kind that makes people lean in a little, not back away. This is the scent equivalent of a perfectly timed compliment; subtle, sincere, and surprisingly memorable. I reach for Presence when I want to feel grounded and not worry about whether or not I smell great! I know I do. When I want to smell like I know what I’m doing even if I’m absolutely winging it. This is a “Saturday morning coffee run in a soft sweater" or “leaning on the counter talking to someone you care about while the world slows down” scent. This is an "I read the actual newspaper" kind of scent. You know, the one's made of real paper and smudgy ink. This is for the guy that's not trying to be the loudest guy in the room, but he's the one people remember after they leave it. Montblanc Presence is comfort with a polished backbone. It’s nostalgia with a glossy lacquer. It’s the barbershop ritual distilled into a warm aromatic hug. Is it flashy? No. Is it modern? Not particularly. Is it special? Absolutely. Presence is the fragrance of a man who shows up, does the job right, and leaves the place better than he found it.

FIRST IMPRESSION: I picked up a 50ml from a Macy's backstage 2 days ago for $24.99. Thought it wouldn't be much, but damn I was wrong. Heavy dose of cinnamon and ginger with a touch of cardamom at the top, and the cinnamon lasts throughout the life of the fragrance. I get the apple in the mid mixed with some herbal facet (probably the sage). The base is sweet in a soft way with the tonka bean and amber, mixed with musk and some woods. Probably the best cheapie I have stumbled upon so far along with The Dreamer. More masculine than feminine in my opinion, but anyone can wear anything. Projection is moderate at best for the first 2-2.5 hours. I don't know what it is, but it just lasts and lasts. I sprayed it yesterday at 8:30 a.m., and I could still pick it up at 11 pm. That was my first full testing, and the more I smelled it, the more I got some resemblance to Layton. I'll provide an update soon. If you can find it, pick it up. Actually worth the retail, but it's so cheap on discounters, might as well save some good money to buy some more fragrances. Perfect night out, date night, and first date fragrance. Subtle enough to be worn anywhere, but don't pull it out when it's hot. 01/27/21 Update: First side by side today. Presence is fresher and more subdued compared to Layton. Where Presence shows more of the amber, musk, ginger, bergamot, sage, cinnamon, and apple on my skin, Layton focuses on apple, vanilla, lavender, tonka bean, and cardamom, at least in the dry down. Put one spray of Layton on my left arm, and put one spray of Presence on my right arm at 8:50 a.m.; it is currently 9:22, and both are still detectable. Layton is pushing out far more and feels more bodied, but then again it is an EDP. As an EDT, Presence is light at this point, but still detectable. Layton surrounds me with a personal bubble, while Presence is more of a personal scent, almost a skin scent. I still think Presence is a fresher, more subdued alternative to Layton, and I think they're different enough where owing both isn't redundant. I don't know if Layton took some inspiration from Presence, but damn, both are really good.

Blind bought 75 mL after weeks of research. Guys, to me, the first spray on paper smells incredibly similar to Le Male or The Dreamer. In a few short minutes, it takes on a slightly feminine soapy characteristic. It's very inviting and subtle, but DEFINITELY not that unique. I get the cinnamon, sage, sandalwood, tonka and musk, with a very creamy drydown. It's quite synthetic to my nose, but I really don't care. Longevity is 8 hours on me and projection is moderate at best. With 4 sprays, you get a 2 foot scent bubble for the first 2 hours, and then it calms down quite a bit. As Greggieboy76 mentions on YouTube, it's blended very well and has this ethereal quality that is unlikely to ever become cloying, even in summer weather. It's very sweet, subtle and a little powdery, meaning that it's inoffensive and perfect for office wear - and even feels "more expensive" than say, Lacoste pour Homme (eventhough it's cheaper). Overall, it's a "handsome" and more mature, but very versatile cologne that anyone 18+ can pull off. But if you already have Individuel, Le Male or The Dreamer, this would just be redundant, because to me, this is just Le Male for the office. Still it's a solid 8.5/10. And if you enjoy fragrances from the 90s, you'll probably appreciate this stuff even more. Enjoy.

Presence is my third Mont Blanc after Exceptionnel and Individuel and so far 3 for 3, all good ones, so bravo Mont Blanc. Presence can be described in 2 words" Jaipur Lite". I did a side by side comparison and the cinnamon and tonka bean notes are very similar. Where Annick Menardo's classic is a very formal fragrance and a true spicy, floral oriental with the addition of benzoin, jasmine, carnation to the cinnamon, tonka, cardamom combo, Presence goes in a slightly more easy going direction with green apple and ginger. If you love Jaipur like I do, you will find Presence a wonderful,high quality, lighter version of it and probably more versatile for it. If you have not smelled Jaipur but are into or looking to get into orientals, Presence is a great choice either ways. Good projection for about 5 hours and with a little layering, I get about 7-8 hours longevity on skin. I can smell it on my shirt for a lot longer. This is a great fragrance for all occasions, the office, dinner n drinks, just hanging out with buddies, works anywhere as long as you are well dressed. ( not a gym frag) It can be found online at very affordable prices as well making it painless to replace once you finish your bottle so that's a plus as well. All in all, a winner. I love it. 8.5/10