I have tried quite a few Montale fragrances since I posted about Patchouli Leaves back in March, but have learned nothing more about the house or its history, so can only repeat what I said then: Montale is a Paris-based perfumer with two lines: an oudh line based on the precious oudh (or agar) wood frequently used in Middle Eastern fragrances, and a regular perfume line. Today I am wearing Aoud Roses Petals, which features notes of oudh, teak, and rose.
Roses Petals starts with a delicate and soft rosewater, which is almost instantly buried under a haze of oudh. The first blast of oudh is often described as medicinal, and that is probably accurate although I don’t find it unpleasant exactly. Certainly it is pungent.
The medicinal part burns off over the next 20 or 30 minutes, leaving a deep, rich wood fragrance, slightly resinous, and softened by the addition of teak, and of course, the rose, which stays very delicate and light. It is not a complicated scent, but it smells wonderful. The lasting power is very good, and I should think it could be worn by either sex.
This is by far my favorite of the four rose perfumes I have tried from Montale (the others are Attar, Aoud Damasus, and Oud Queen Rose), and probably my favorite of the line overall. It is definitely full bottle worthy, although I am not going to need it during the hot summer. I am also quite taken with Aoud Lime, which is a simple blend of oudh, lime, and light spice notes.
For buying information, see the listing for Montale under Perfume Houses.
Note: image of rose petals from Grasse, France via Grasse Office of Tourism.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought that Mr. Montale was the creator of the old CSP line.
Hi, Robin! I e-mailed Montale a month ago, and they said shipping is free for a minimum order 70 €. So, you don't have to buy 2 bottles – sounds like they go by the price. Just FYI. 🙂 Ina
You are the 3rd person that I have heard that rumor from, but I have no idea if it is true.
Thanks Ina! Do you happen to know if they sell samples separately? That is something else I should have found out before posting this article…
I don't know about the samples, sorry.
Hi there, darling!
Great review as always.
I ordered from Montale last fall by phone, and found them to be very professional and prompt. I think I received my package in less than a week, and I live on the West Coast.
So far, the only Montale I really like (and have a bottle of…a gift from a dear friend) is Chypre Fruite. It smells like Estee Lauder's Knowing, but richer and more effervescent.
And, yes, I believe Mr. Montale is the original creator of the CSP line. I forget who told me that, maybe ParisLondres. Or maybe I read it somewhere. Forgive me…I'm getting old. :):)
Hugs!
I was told by a Montale rep in Switzerland that they do NOT charge for samples…just request samples and they mail them. I got a bunch of samples last week and was told an order of US$100 will get free shipping.
Robin: how does Aoud Roses Petals compare to Rose d'Homme…more rose? more wood/resin?? K
Hi R, Have heard Chypre Fruite is lovely, but haven't tried it yet.
If it is true about CSP, then Montale has certainly changed gears entirely…although there are a few Montale marine scents that might be similar to CSP offerings. Hmmm….
K, Have only tried the Rose d'Homme once, but remember it as lots of patchouli, leather, and lavender, and blended floral notes with a bit of rose. Bear in mind that patchouli, leather & lavender are not favorites of mine, so I am not an unbiased observer 🙂
The Montale is much simpler, really just woods & a bit of rose…but would say both more wood and more rose than the Rosine.
Montale is a line I have to test further, I think because the line isn't easily accessible here in the states the line becomes virtually unnoticed here. Wonderful review R and one that I no doubt have to test in the future as I adore both rose and woods!
S, I would think you would love this! Try emailing them asking for a free sample.
And am surprised that Tak or somebody else in NY hasn't picked up this line, although maybe like Ormonde Jayne they prefer to sell through their own stores.
Hi there! New to your blog so I thought I would leave a commment.
I love Montale fragrances and found the whole process of ordering from Paris to be very easy and pleasing. I sent an email with what I wanted and my CC number and a gorgeous package of bottles and samples galore showed up about 2 weeks later with free shipping! Can't be beat. I treasure the Sweet Oriental Dreams, Crystal Flowers and White Musk. The first two have this lovely pipe tobacco thing going on. I have not fallen for anything else they have but I am yet to try the Roses. Thanks for the suggestion!
xo Maximina
thank you for the review. the aoud roses petals sounds like something i would truly like. i have never tried anything by montale, but many of the comments here describing their frangrances are enticing. chypre fruite esp. i will have to get some samples.
Welcome & thanks for commenting! I have not yet seen a “real life” bottle, are they nice?
Again, try emailing for samples! I am going to see if I can get them to send me Chypre Fruite — although I love the Chypre part better than the Fruite part.
Dear Robin,
If you click on the contact link on Montale site and just ask them for sample they will send them to you. I asked for a sample of Crystal Flowers not so long ago and they send me a whole bunch of samples from Switzerland within a week, so great customer service.
Crystal Flowers is another of their rose scents and it is lovely and light.
Thank you for a great blog!
Marina
Thanks Marina! Sounds like everyone is happy with Montale's customer service, which is a rare thing.
They are nice indeed in that all metal kind of a way. They are completely metal and have little metal closures. In addition they all come in these funky pouches – some in animal faux fur prints – some just plain. Sort of random and fun.
Thanks! I am going to end up ordering the Roses Petals eventually 🙂
Thanks for another great review. This is one of my fav Montales.
xoxo
Thank you N! A wonderful fragrance that is going to join my collection eventually 🙂
R, I never got an answer when I emailed them – I´ll try again though! When I visited their Paris boutique I found them to be very friendly & I got a lot of samples. I smelled Aoud Rose Petals just one time so I don´t really know it & I´m not too much into rose scents because they always last too long on my skin – I find them to be overwhelming, no matter which one I try! But your description sounds really lovely 😉
One question because I don´t know if I understood right: Do you have to post a minimum order of 70,- € or can you also order less & pay for shipping?
S, Hope you noticed that this is an old review (July 6) and I don't know what is going wrong with my blog server today!!!
I have found them slow to answer emails, but I understand they are very helpful if you call. You are right: no minimum order, and you will pay shipping.
R, after writing I discovered that it´s an old review 😉 But since I didn´t read it before doesn´t matter ;D
Your server seems to be a bit “confused” today – I hope everything will be alright soon!
I thought Aoud Roses Petals was a weaker version of Une Rose—with the savory woodsy part exiting sadly sooner. But I did really like Chypre Fruité. Last time I was in Aedes, the had a Wall o' Montale, and the guys were extremely generous in dumping samples on us. I absolutely hated several that I tried (Sandalsilver, Dew Musk), but Chypre Fruité was surprisingly wearable. Don't think I'd buy it, but I liked it.
I hope so too!!
T, I finally scored a sample of the Chypre Fruite and hope to get to it soon. I didn't like Sandalsilver either, or any of the musks.
The Rose Petal Aoud is also one of my fave Montales, alongside Black Aoud…
I scored 4 free samples from the shop in Paris by calling them and leaving them my address….it took less than a week…superb service!
Oh how nice! Did they let you pick the samples you wanted?
yes, dear!
I received Black and White Aoud, Aoud Rose Petals and Aoud Damascus! very generous CS!
Recently I placed an order of Aoud Rose Petals there, and i asked for extra concentrated version (it used to be custom mixed) but now every aoud based fume there is the concentrated version…you dont even need to ask :O
Since all of my Aouds are concentrated version, I really have no idea on how to compare with the normal ones! And the concentrated version is only available in the Paris boutique…nowhere else…
And I have a rant about Montale, btw…How come they have so many new unheard perfumes?! I have several samples that I have yet to see in any shops :O
They really ought to (at the very least) keep their website updated. It’s virtually impossible to tell when they’ve got new products…I just give up and don’t try to figure it out.