Some of you may still remember the underground comic series "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers." The adventures of the hippie commune from San Francisco were published from the late 60s to the early 90s. All the clichés associated with the hippie, flower power, and drug subculture are addressed here. The long-haired, perpetually stoned protagonists Phineas, Freewheelin' Franklin, Fat Freddy, and sometimes his cat, Fat Freddy's Cat, are usually on the road in their old, painted VW bus, always on the hunt for some psychoactive substances, enjoying themselves with voluptuous hippie girls at the next love-in, or getting high with dope and the music of Grateful Dead at various festivals,
I have no idea if Fat Freddy even wore a scent. At this point, I will indulge in another cliché and claim that the guys smelled like all hippies, of patchouli; specifically, the pure patch oil from the India shop, poster shop, Cri-Cri, or whatever. Maybe also a bit of sandalwood, musk, amber, etc., mixed with the obligatory cannabis and cigarette smoke and stale pub aromas. A perfume was a no-go, and 100 bucks were gladly invested in a Black Afgano, but certainly not in the one from Nasomatto. Well, maybe it was simply the smell of Fat Freddy's old biker jacket, with the fringes that, despite its age, still exuded that sharp leather scent and mingled with the aroma of patch oil... and maybe Fat Freddy does occasionally wear Montale's Leather Patch for certain occasions. Just for a change and yet not far from old habits.
Montale Leather Patchouli is not an elegant leather scent like those from Tom Ford or Aqua di Parma. I would place it between Patchouli Leaves and Aoud Cuir d'Arabie, also from Montale. The base note is very similar to that of Patchouli Leaves.
When smelling from the atomizer and spraying it on, I perceive, alongside patchouli and leather, a hint of citrus freshness that quickly evaporates. Then only a very strong leather scent remains. No, actually, it’s not leather yet, but rather cardamom. It's as if I'm smelling a spice jar filled with black cardamom pods. The scent of cardamom has always reminded me of leather, and I have always liked it. An enormously strong, slightly piercing cardamom scent that dominates all other ingredients. Patchouli is present from the start, but not in the foreground. It seems to dance around the leather. Behind the slightly piercing note, I suspect the oud. Additionally, I perceive a slight sweetness from the vanilla. Saffron and incense remain rather hidden in the background. Overall, it seems to me that all the ingredients have completely intertwined, making it difficult for me to pinpoint the individual players.
There is no scent progression. The initially strict, almost piercing notes gradually fade away, and the Montale becomes overall calmer but not quieter, smoky, rounder, and warmer. The cardamom note seems to transition a bit more into a leather scent. The slight sweetness of the vanilla increases without becoming sticky or overpowering. Patchouli and vanilla come a bit more to the forefront without dominating. The main player is and remains the leather from the very beginning. Thus, the scent lingers for the next 4 to 5 hours. Now the leather slowly bids farewell, leaving behind a very nice base of vanilla, incense, and patch, similar to that of Montale's Patchouli Leaves. Both remind me of the scent that used to greet you upon entering an India shop. Or of smoldering incense sticks.
Longevity, as expected from Montale, is very long. Sprayed in the afternoon, still noticeably present the next morning until showering.
A somewhat different leather scent, apart from the well-known Russians and Cuirs, etc. A composition under the aspect of "Leather + Patchouli." Elegant hippie.
For me, a welcome change that I have already included as a decant in my small patchouli collection. Not a scent for every day, rather a special one for in-between.
Peace & Love & Patch, Brothers & Sisters
A huge thank you to the lovely Parfuma for this decant and the many nice extras!!!
Updated on 04/08/2019
Leather
Patchouli
Frankincense
Saffron
Vanilla
Oud
JuveGrande
Schalkerin
FrauKirsche
Pluto
Heikeso
Fernweh
GuidoSch
Maxmagdüfte
Mourant
Flodjan
