Intense Tiare
by Montale

A very pleasant coconut fragrance with a hint of gardenia / tiare. Very feminine, a tad synthetic but long lasting. Unfortunately, it also reminds me of those coconut-scented bath oils and liquid hand soaps...

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[Original submission date: 06 August 2008]

This is what Fracas would be if it had breeding and manners. In fairness to Fracas, I don't like tiare, gardenia or tuberose, but had to try Intense Tiare due to its high ratings. This is a lovely soft tiare with a smooth, very subtle coconut base. All is blended seemlessly and if you like this type of floral and very sweet fragrance you really should give this a try. Well done, just not for me (just as well for my wallet)!

This fragrance is amazing. It makes me feel like I'm lying in a languid rich bath of coconut milk and gardenia (tiare) flowers. It is utterly sensual and gorgeous. I tried a sample from dear Vijay and immediately knew it was bottle-worthy. The gardenia is light and intoxicating, and its gently supported by gentle waves of coconut milk, jasmin, ylang-ylang and a tiny hint of vanilla. It smells very fresh and almost green when you first put it on, and then it just gets richer and more nuanced as it warms on your skin. Excellent longevity.

This is a beautiful coconutty tiare fragrance. It is a skin scent on me and I'm going to wear it all year, not just in the summer. It is feminine and pretty without being cloying and there is no artificial or sharp smell, just smoothness.

This review is circuitous, but bear with me. On the PBS show "America's Test Kitchen," they have done product reviews for all manner of things, including butter. Wisconsin's Land O' Lakes butter is prized for its taste. I'm from Wisconsin, and I've never eaten margarine--butter is better.
Now, gardenia (or tiare) in fragrances had been, until I sampled Montale's Intense Tiare, a sort of queasy note for me. This scent (as well as tuberose sometimes) has an artificial butter quality that reminds me of the snack aisle at the grocery store where the microwave popcorn is shelved. (Gag!) Thus, I tried IT with prejudice, but was happily surprised. I probably wouldn't buy this scent since tiare isn't my single favorite note, but this is clearly the most beautiful of its class. I'll enjoy my whole sample as well as my new-found attitude. (Thanks for the sample, Vijay!)