Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

post #1 of 57
Thread Starter 
I'm new to oud frags and, to be honest, I find Montale's offerings very strong and rather unpleasant. However, I decided to try a sample of Dark Aoud and, after letting it dry down, I quite like it. I wondered what your view is of this fragrance, and how closely it resembles genuine oud?
post #2 of 57
Nice frag IMO.
post #3 of 57
One of the best Montale's - wait for the harshness pass and for the dry down, u will appreciate this more...Its a longevity beast.
post #4 of 57
Dark Aoud is
Dry as Bones
Dark as the Moonless Night
Deep as the Abyss

One of Montale's Masterpiece & last for eternity.
post #5 of 57
Own it and love it.
post #6 of 57
My SotD! I too own it and love it. One of the best Montale oud frags imo.
post #7 of 57
Thread Starter 
It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.
post #8 of 57
my favorite oud...dark astringent, lasts for 10hrs.
post #9 of 57
I have 50ml comeing in a week from luckysent. Total blind buy but thats ok i like most fragrences .
post #10 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fragmeister View Post

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

Getting it directly from Montale is normally the best bet. EUR100 (around £85) and you get free Extra 20ml and also free extra concentration.

I have 4 from Montale and I enjoy them all very much, Black Aoud being my favorite.

Should I go for Dark Aoud?
post #11 of 57
Wonderful fragrance. I always get kind of a Comet cleanser vibe from it but in a good way.
post #12 of 57
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgoc View Post

Getting it directly from Montale is normally the best bet. EUR100 (around £85) and you get free Extra 20ml and also free extra concentration.

I have 4 from Montale and I enjoy them all very much, Black Aoud being my favorite.

Should I go for Dark Aoud?

Thanks for the info!
post #13 of 57
I just can't get over how beautiful Black Aoud actually is. And TF Noir de Noir. Sexy as hell both of these.
post #14 of 57
Dark Aoud and Black Aoud are standouts in my mind. I may like the sandalwood in DA a bit more but BA lasts a lot longer for me. A toss up cor my favorite Montale.
post #15 of 57
Astounding. Sexual. Beautiful. Dark. Intense. Sexual. Frightening. Devilish. Magnetic. Masculine. Sexual. Overpowering. Lingering. Breathtaking. Unsettling. Gorgeous. Penetrating. Alluring. Animalistic. Dizzying. Irresistible. Terrifying.

It's the spiritual odour of New York's infamous Mineshaft, circa 1980--a venue where any cologne (save amyl nitrate) was absolutely verboten! I can't smell it without feeling the "urge to merge". Use sparingly...or not! Wonderful juice, truly spectacular, and about as subtle as a hammer to the head. Not for the timid.
post #16 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgoc View Post

Getting it directly from Montale is normally the best bet. EUR100 (around £85) and you get free Extra 20ml and also free extra concentration.

I have 4 from Montale and I enjoy them all very much, Black Aoud being my favorite.

Should I go for Dark Aoud?

Dark aoud is amazing,on my skin it lasts longer than black aoud and projects much better.I believe it's cheaper to order it from allavioletta.tom if you spend over 150 euros delivery is free,while montale will charge you 18 euros,plus they're always 5-10 euros cheaper than ordering it direct from montale.I ordered full incense from montale Paris last week and received it today,I asked for extra perfume oil but they sent it in normal concentration(which I already have).
post #17 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fragmeister View Post

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

First time I wore it I thought it faded fast...but I was wrong. Later wearings worked perfectly with great longevity and sillage.
post #18 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by impdaddee View Post

...It's the spiritual odour of New York's infamous Mineshaft, circa 1980--a venue where any cologne (save amyl nitrate) was absolutely verboten! I can't smell it without feeling the "urge to merge". Use sparingly...or not! Wonderful juice, truly spectacular, and about as subtle as a hammer to the head. Not for the timid.

Wow. Interesting description.

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?
post #19 of 57
Mating agarwood and sandalwood is brilliant.
post #20 of 57
Agree with others here: this one is thick, dry, resinous, dark, and very robust. It's also surprisingly easy to like, given all that. I have a 10ml decant and given its potency, I think that'll last me a very long time!
post #21 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Wow. Interesting description.

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

Hi, Mike. Dark Aoud's very dry, aromatic, inky, resinous, modern black-colored nature keeps it pretty far from Aoud Cuir d'Arabie territory, which for me has that rich, leathery, sort of fecal barnyard mixed with deep red rose (I realize this is not in the note list though that's my story and I'm sticking to it) character that makes me think of regal, luxurious colors like gold, brown and deep red. It's worth a sniff for sure, though I'd choose Black Musk over it in a split second. Incidentally, after smelling rich fragrances like Santal 33 or something like SL Santal de Mysore, one wonders where in the world the sandalwood is in the stark, almost outer space-like Dark Aoud. It is in a fragrance world of its own in a way.
post #22 of 57
The only Montale I've tried and I like it.

That back and forth between the oud and sandalwood fascinates me.
post #23 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Wow. Interesting description.

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

I haven't got the foggiest notion, as I haven't smelled Aoud Cuir d'Arabie. It's on my test list...just haven't gotten to it yet. I shall advance it up the queue, as your question reveals some of your thoughts about it.

(I love Black Aoud too, but can't think of a single venue I'd wear it in. It goes unpurchased, but I sometimes bring the sample out when no one's around. My pleasure alone.)
post #24 of 57
Recently purchased a 100ml bottle.

Seems very dark and bitter at first like a rich chocolate oud. After wearing it for a few days you begin to realize how sweet it gets on the dry down. Not a cloying sweet but more semi sweet woods.

I am happy with my purchase but still have doubts about whether this is a scent to be worn as a fragrance or an apartment scent.

If I had the chance to swap it in for credit towards a more versatile Amouage I would.

Longevity and Sillage are good but not a beast on me.
post #25 of 57
is layering TF noir de noir with dark aoud appropriate?
post #26 of 57
Just put some on. The first few seconds tickled the right places, now it's very nice, somewhat medicinal/chemical. Wouldn't call it all that dark so far (but then I found Rien a sweet, incense scent mainly, maybe my nose doesn't work lol). Actually it may get a little darker as I type. Not bad at all. Just wish I had a spray sample not a dab on.
post #27 of 57
Together with Aoud Cuir D'Arabie, Dark Aoud is one of my favorites from Montale. I find it very distant from original ouds oil but it's good nonetheless if you're into stark and extremely dry fragrances.
post #28 of 57
smells like a sexy louie vaton wallet . Nuff said i like it .

- - - Updated - - -

Well i feel i have to break thru the hype for a sec and recant my last post . It is kinda a weird smelling fragrence that is kinda a hard ware for me . Not a every day fragrence and i regret getting a full bottle of it. I still do like it but i dont see this getting the likes from the ladies. I fragrence fanatic will love this but its not for me. I engoy fresh outgoing fragrences more in youthfull sence. This stuff is kinda stank. Peppie le pue will love this stuff. Dont listen to the hype try before you buy this one.
post #29 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by bloodhound.md View Post

smells like a sexy louie vaton wallet . Nuff said i like it .

- - - Updated - - -

Well i feel i have to break thru the hype for a sec and recant my last post . It is kinda a weird smelling fragrence that is kinda a hard ware for me . Not a every day fragrence and i regret getting a full bottle of it. I still do like it but i dont see this getting the likes from the ladies. I fragrence fanatic will love this but its not for me. I engoy fresh outgoing fragrences more in youthfull sence. This stuff is kinda stank. Peppie le pue will love this stuff. Dont listen to the hype try before you buy this one.


I've been back and forth with this thing. At the moment I am really loving it again. It went from this "weird" dark fragrance to this really sweet woods fragrance that is addicting.

Put it down and come back to it in a few days.

I know what you mean though. Great smell but what shoes go with it...right ? LOL
post #30 of 57
My perspective on Dark Aoud has shifted a bit after trying out Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud on skin yesterday. Basically, the AdP reminded me a lot of the Montale, albeit a more-refined, quiet composition. The oud note was very similar, and in both cases it's set off against dry woods. Because I already have a decant of Dark Aoud, I'm not as tempted by the AdP as I would be, though there's a richness and sweetness in the opening (and warmed-skin moments) of the AdP that I prefer. Since trying the AdP, I see Dark Aoud as a bit rough and rowdy, certainly more baldly synthetic, and trickier to pull off. I still like it, but less is more for me.
post #31 of 57
Muhhhhhhhh what tha everyone likes this stuff on me and now im leaning back.towards the leather wallet with spice smell. I feel tottally stupid now theirs no hype this is a really amazing juice that you will have a love hate relationship with. Its like that bad girlfriend the really wild one that you break up with dump then after you dump you realize how hot she was . It finally grew on me and come to find out the women i let smell bought 2 bottles for their men . You owe me montale!!!:-P
post #32 of 57
Dark Aoud reaches out and touches yet another heart.
post #33 of 57
my SOTD
post #34 of 57
Thread Starter 
Anyone selling a decant?

- - - Updated - - -

How does it compare with Black Aoud?
post #35 of 57
...
post #36 of 57
I got a sample of this based on a recommendation from a friend here. Awful stuff. Very antiseptic, or something like that. Maybe like a bandaid with a bunch of antiseptic daubed under it on a wound. Really. My wife and one daughter (late teens) also thought it was the worst of several samples I got.
So I guess there's something about this frag that we're not getting.
post #37 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fragmeister View Post

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

Oh its there. Everybody else can smell it. Get your nose out of your wrist and you will be sniffing it all day.
post #38 of 57
Gorgeous dark dark dark fragrance. Especially if you like sandalwood.
post #39 of 57
I love Dark Aoud and wear it most days either by itself or layered with Black Aoud. Personally I don't find either very "dark" or unwearable, it's completely addictive stuff. I find that people either love or hate montale generally.
post #40 of 57
Just got a decant of it and have been trying it on today.

It is bone dry, and the first 15-20 minutes are reminiscent of a strong machine oil, then it settles down to mostly just sandalwood. Pretty simple and straightforward.

I read a lot of reviews proclaiming "nuclear silage, projection and longevity", alas on my skin after the initial 15-20 minutes it is just skin scent. What's worse is that it's very very very close to CdG Wonderwood, which I love, but Dark Aoud on me is like 'Wonderwood Sport', very light and fleeting. Love the scent, but at least on me it is a 2-hour very light skin scent, at best.

Is there another Montale I should perhaps try, that may have at least a little more presence? As it stands now, Dark Aoud is not FBW for me - Wonderwood is about 3 times stronger and lasts about 2-3 times longer as well.
post #41 of 57
Nothing exceptional regarding oud or sandalwood. Not dark. A tedious woody thing. Slightly better than average but basically smells like furniture and a little varnish.

Still trying, though. :-)
post #42 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by remik View Post

Is there another Montale I should perhaps try, that may have at least a little more presence?

Attar
Aoud Greedy
post #43 of 57
I've sampled it and was underwhelmed. The only Montale I've found worth owning is Black Aoud. I've only tried a few though and expect they have some good ones in their huge selection.
post #44 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsteve View Post

Awful stuff. Very antiseptic, or something like that. Maybe like a bandaid with a bunch of antiseptic daubed under it on a wound.
So I guess there's something about this frag that we're not getting.

That and sandalwood pretty much sums it up. I'd be reluctant to recommend it to anyone unless I knew they were into more unusual scents.
post #45 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by onethinline View Post

My perspective on Dark Aoud has shifted a bit after trying out Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud on skin yesterday. Basically, the AdP reminded me a lot of the Montale, albeit a more-refined, quiet composition. The oud note was very similar, and in both cases it's set off against dry woods. Because I already have a decant of Dark Aoud, I'm not as tempted by the AdP as I would be, though there's a richness and sweetness in the opening (and warmed-skin moments) of the AdP that I prefer. Since trying the AdP, I see Dark Aoud as a bit rough and rowdy, certainly more baldly synthetic, and trickier to pull off. I still like it, but less is more for me.

I have a bottle of AdP Colonia Intensa Oud Concentrée and I have to say I love it!! It is head and shoulders above Dark Aoud. It actually projects like a beast, and lasts 12-16 hours (Dark Aoud after 20 minutes is very light skin scent on me and disappears after 2 hours). AdP Oud Concentrée opens up a little strange - oud with very zesty citrus twist, but it evolves into a very nice leathery base in the drydown. Awesome. Not what I expected when I first tried it, but it is great and was definitely a good full bottle buy for me.

Funny story, though... I was on a road trip last month and visited my friends in Phoenix, AZ. Car was all dusty and dirty so I took it to a carwash place where they detailed it and put some air fresheners in the dash on the way out (little plastic clips that fit snugly in the vents). I got in the car and was like "Whoa! The detailing guy must have been wearing AdP Oud Concentrée!" It didn't hit me until a few minutes later when I pulled out one of the clips from the vent and sniffed it. The car smelled like AdP Oud Concentrée not because of the detailing guy - it was the air freshener clips! Now don't laugh, but really - when this thing dries down, the scent is a totally nice and clean leather bomb, sort of "new car smell" - and I mean that in a GOOD way. It may sound odd that a person would want to smell like "new car", but trust me, it's not that plastic-y synthetic vibe, it really is a very nice, realistic leather, very creamy and smooth, yet still refreshing with a splash of citrus. Very odd similarity between the freshener and AdP Oud Concentrée (in the drydown), but it totally works - I can see spraying the interior of my car with Oud Concentrée one day just to get the "new car/new leather" scent. A+++
post #46 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

Together with Aoud Cuir D'Arabie, Dark Aoud is one of my favorites from Montale. I find it very distant from original ouds oil but it's good nonetheless if you're into stark and extremely dry fragrances.


Totaly agree with this. I am also a fan of Aoud Lime. Black Aoud is good, just not as wearable.
post #47 of 57
I like the Dark Aoud and might snag a bottle down somewhere down the line.
post #48 of 57
As a fan of oud frags, I find Montale's Dark Aoud to be harsh and awful. I hate to smell it, much less smell like it.

Much prefer Kilian Pure Oud.
post #49 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Wow. Interesting description.

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

I would say both Black and d'Arabie are a better buy, but since reformulation I wouldn't touch neither. I was blown away but the lime oud basenotes member kindly offered to me and bought a bottle it's 1/4 of the sillage and 5 shades lighter in color, I've got a sample from luckyscent and sample from surrender to chance same juice I bought not even close to lime oud from older batch - get sample first and if you like it - then by all means...
post #50 of 57
Like it, alas the woman in my life compared it to something along the lines of the smell of a cab driver's bum cleavage.
post #51 of 57
I love it! It's dark, but not heavy. To me it has an "Eau de Cologne"-vibe.
post #52 of 57
Thread Starter 
There are only 2 Montale frags I like: Full Incense and Dark Aoud. I tried Black Aoud and it's wretched. Dark Aoud has a lot of patchouli in it, I think.
post #53 of 57
Personally I find Dark Aoud slightly boring by itself and it doesn't last as well as other Montales on my skin, therefore I tend to use it layered under Black Aoud or Full Incense and find it works beautifully that way.
post #54 of 57
Wearing it now, about 2.5 hours in - it smells like oud to me, having sampled some pure oud from Agar Aura. There's the sandalwood note but otherwise it's very close to my nose. I do not think it projects as well as real oud but that may not be a bad thing, as I think it's one of those acquired tastes.

Caveat: I'm not a big oud fan.
post #55 of 57
Tested a few scents last week while out shoping, and Dark Aoud is the one I kept returning to sniff. Just ordered a bottle, and I hope it doesn't disappoint upon longer wearing!
post #56 of 57

Love it. Much better than Killian. Problem is new batch is very different offering to what it was.

 

Try lime oud also. Balance between lime and oud note is very satisfying 

post #57 of 57
Quote:
Originally Posted by outline View Post

Love it. Much better than Killian. Problem is new batch is very different offering to what it was.

What happened to the new batch

New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Male Fragrance Discussion
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Male Fragrance Discussion › Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?