Reviews of Aoud Roses Petals
by Montale

As much as I’ve found this line to be a revelation in itself (as well as the main reason for my recent interest in ouds) the differences between most of them are just too subtle. For example, is it really worth owning both Aoud Roses Petals and Black Aoud? If you’re expecting each fragrance in your wardrobe to be distinctive from the others then the answer will be ‘no’.

For me, Black Aoud contains more aoud (and is thus edgier) while Aoud Roses Petals has more… well, roses. It’s as simple as that! I’m sure many readers will strongly disagree and accuse me of being too simplistic here. However, at the end of the day, after the intense analysis of complex notes and waxing lyrical pretensions, the practicalities of life are impossible to avoid.

Fragrances serve a function – not only for the wearer (i.e. to smell good) but also for the people that the wearer comes into contact with. For the man or woman on the street, these two Montales come across as almost identical and that’s something that I’m not really prepared to waste my money on. No, I don’t wear fragrances to please (or attract) others but I would like people to immediately know that I’m wearing something very different from the last time they met me.

However, that’s not to say that either of these creations are bad – quite the contrary (I actually own, and much prefer, Black Aoud). The point I’m trying to make is that many fragrances from the aoud line simply remind me of the Serge Lutens Bois series – pretty much the same fragrance but with each one putting more emphasis on one particular note (or even with the odd extra note added or eliminated). I need more distinction from this line but, even though there are fine examples such as Aoud Cuir d’Arabie, this is not enough for me.

Anyway, I still look forward to future releases from this line with the hope that, one day, the differences between them will become much more distinctive.

******

If you’re interested in purchasing any Montale fragrances, please consider our highly-respected Basenotes member, maisonstinky, as your first point of contact. He offers an exceptional service, competitive prices and special offers to fellow Basenoters. For further details, please cut and paste the link below:

http://www.basenotes.net/specials/montale.html

[Original submission date: 13 April 2008]

I thought I was in love with the top notes... but after a minute it calmed down to a pleasant but somewhat flat oud and rose combo.

I'm underwhelmed, but this fragrance does have excellent longevity and sillage.

Rose Petals--Tea Roses with some green which gives a lifting sensation. this isn't a favorite rose of mine. I think this kind of rose is best in small doses and this is too over the top for me. If you love the sweet girlie rose, you'll flip for this. Very sophisticated but dangerously strong.