Black Aoud Montale 2006

Nowhere as dark as I thought it would be.
In fact, only the opening is stark, woody, and raw.
Deceptively, it led me to believe that it would remain as such.
A serious linear and inky fragrance.
Actually not all that pleasant up close.

And then, out of the blue, a rose emerged.
It initially appeared, strangely enough, as I took my nose away from my forearm for the third time, resigned to the fact that I was going to smell like a bloke for the rest of the day.

Visions of a crimson rose growing out of a dark mass struck me … and then it grew, and grew, until this very much became the predominant note, totally shadowing its woody roots.

Do I like it?
Not sure.
I prefer my roses gourmand and this one definitely isn’t, but if you want a red rose with great projection, this will be right up your street.
...
Now, I have to come back to tell you that I presented my neck to my beloved and “Turkish Delight” was his verdict.
However, when I asked him to smell my forearm, he looked at me puzzled, and declared that it smelt completely different.
No idea why.
Fact remains that if I could smell what he first smelt, I probably would adore this perfume … but I don’t, so I stand by my initial assessment.