Amandes Orientales
by Montale

I like the praline sweetness in Amandes Orientales, but the dominance of the wood notes gives it a more masculine edge than I like on my skin. Not for me. I wouldn't mind smelling it on someone else, though.

25th June, 2011.

Ok, I should like this but for some reason on me this was foul. Bad sample? Just has a horrible urine undertone that throws everything off. I get the vanilla but not the toasted almonds. I was going to order a fresh sample in case that was the problem but see others have had the same experience so I'll have to pass.

23rd April, 2010.

When I first apply, I also get, um, urine. After a good long time, that vanishes and I get a perfectly nice, pleasant almond, one that I would normally be pleased to have, since some other almond fragrances have smelled to me like stale nuts and this is nice and fresh. But it's not delightful enough to get me past the beginning.

5th November, 2008.

I need to give this another go, smells like Elmer's glue to me. Or that Ross Mucilage brownish colored syrup paste we used in old school.

3rd July, 2008.

Oh how I was prepared to love this fragrance. The notes of vanilla and almond are two of my favorites. Unfortunately, this juice goes from bad to worse on my skin. It starts off bitter and cloyingly sweet at the same time (as if someone had added cups and cups of sugar to a burned and ruined pudding), and then progresses quickly to the smell of concentrated urine! We're talking nursing home here! I know this is not what others are smelling (obviously), and so I've tried this fragrance repeatedly with the hope that my nervous system would "reassign" how this fragrance registers in brain. Alas, it's not to be...I still get wet diapers.

11th June, 2008.

A luverly amaretto-esque gourmand, with a sweet vanilla to cut the almond notes. I would like it even better had it some spice (some cinnamon, perhaps, or clove), but it's still a damn interesting Montale. Thumbs up, though I likely will save my pennies for Black Aoud.

7th January, 2008.