Honey Aoud Montale 2015

The top note of "Honey Aoud" shocked me a bit, as it smelled like I had just opened a can of tuna. But I can already say that this note fortunately disappears almost entirely after 30 minutes. However, I still notice a slight hint of it until the end, but it might just be a matter of perception. After the top note, an interesting scent develops, but it does not appeal to me at all. Unpleasant memories of "Kalemat" or "24 Gold" come to mind. So sweet, a lot of cinnamon, amber-heavy, musty, rotten, damp cellar. And like a coarse "Ambre Narguile." The Montale goes even further: the mixture of oud, patchouli, and leather makes the scent even darker and dirtier than the mentioned predecessors. Of course, in typical Montale synthetic quality, because I can't really distinguish specific oud, leather, or patchouli, but rather just a dark, slightly disgusting mass.

This somewhat crude mix of honey-like, sweet vibes combined with dirt/grime will certainly find many happy recipients, but it's not for me. I'd rather take a fundamentally similar "Musc Ravageur" and enjoy the highest quality and excellence. Only the base can somewhat reconcile me; a dry cinnamon with a slightly floral vanilla arrangement almost smells delicious. Sillage and longevity are also impeccable. But it remains the case: Montale is by far the most uninteresting house among the popular niche brands for me...