Montabaco Extrême Ormonde Jayne 2018

Ormonde Jayne created a limited fragrance for Selfridges for the summer. Montabaco Extreme. (Let's call it Mont, as OJ likes to do.) Basically, one could say this fragrance already exists. And yet, I would vehemently deny that. Yes, the perfume concentration is "only" 8% higher than the regularly available Mont Intensivo. Yes, at first glance, it may be "just" a pretty gray bottle and a box that says Limited Edition. And the number was drastically limited. All rather statistical facts.

The fragrance is clearly aimed at fans of Montabaco Intensivo. This scent is therefore not for everyday wear. Not for every workplace. But definitely for very high temperatures. In combination with plenty of fresh air (and skin warmth), it awakens a monster on the skin. Or let’s say, a black angel. How fitting for the smoky-gray bottle.

Like all 50% concentrations from OJ, this Mont also starts directly in the heart note of the fragrance. And for the first half hour, it is very diffuse. The ISO from the base already pushes forward with brutal force. The other accords seem to stumble a bit. They are shyly covered. They fall silent - temporarily. They need to find their space first. This means that even the fresh, citrus aspects of the top note are immediately assimilated and thus do not play as a "supporting act." However, I can clearly smell the juniper, while the orange, heavily muted, flickers through from time to time.

After about 1.5 hours, the first, almost sedating rumble fades, and ISO opens the scene. We are still in a woody-spicy, but always fresh fragrance. Floral accords find their way a little. Just a little.

After another 3 hours - the ISO remains unbridled and undimmed - the accords of the drydown slowly begin. And here the fragrance shows its class. The high perfume concentration not only creates the immediate entry into the heart note. No, it extends the drydown and brings it, chronologically speaking, to a rather early point (compared to the Intensivo) and then lets it resonate for another 4+ hours.

Mont Extreme is not just a statement in name. It definitely makes no prisoners. It is for fans, lovers, and "ISO-crazy" individuals. Beyond these profiles, it may just be an excursion. A test. But then perhaps not recommended for wearing. One must be able to endure the first hours of ISO overdose to enjoy the drydown, which is truly incredibly beautiful. And we are talking about a good 4-5 hours of drydown with high projection. Two (!) sprays provide a radius of what feels like 15 meters. With increasing distance from the epicenter (me), apparently also already in the early phase of unfolding, with very positive feedback. This fragrance is exactly what niche means to me. Leaving conventions and crowd pleasers behind and going one’s own way.

PS: Fairly, I must also admit that I have found my Everest in Montabaco Extreme. This ISO concentration leads to headaches for me (which I really do not tend to have), as it apparently completely overloads my scent perception. Unfortunately. Because the drydown is simply unique.