Top Notes 
Aniseed
Bergamot
Heart Notes 
Geranium
Lily of the valley
Oud
Rose
Ylang-ylang
Base Notes 
Amber
Cedar
Musk
Sandalwood
Unfiltered Cardboard
Apicius
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Apicius
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12
A Montale-Micallef
Alongside Montale, it is primarily the brand Micallef that has embraced several scents of the Arabic theme "Oud" and introduced it into international perfumery. By now, there are a whole range of brands that think they also need to launch an Oud perfume, which then turns out to be a more or less successful copy of one of Montale's Ouds. When I first tested Arabian Diamond in a perfume shop on a strip, I got the impression that Micallef also wants to take a piece of the cake from Montale's competition.
However, one must immediately think of Montale when spraying the scent. For it introduces itself with a note that is almost identical to the "hairspray" accord of the Montale Ouds. Here as there, this must first be endured for a short time before the actual scent emerges. And it captivates the wearer with a remarkably interesting top note. Alongside the intense Oud, there are elements that give it a warm, somewhat dusty character. I think of the pleasantly musty scent of antiquarian bookstores, or the smell of certain old furniture. Unfortunately, this olfactory experience cannot be described very precisely, only that it is very, very attractive and exudes a feel-good character that is lacking in the Montale Ouds.
Unfortunately, this experience does not last; after a few minutes, this olfactory experience on my skin disappears and is followed by a rather mild variant of Oud. Musk gives it a light touch, and I attribute the rather warm hue to the amber. The floral notes are not very prominent; it is by no means the classic Arabic rose-Oud combination that we encounter here.
Therefore, a direct comparison must be made with Steam Aoud by Montale, where the rose is also only hinted at. And this comparison reveals the truth. Arabian Diamond is by far not as intense as Steam Aoud. Several gears have been shifted back in all respects. Any form of roughness has been avoided. The scent is much more subtle. It is not as deep and dark as Steam Aoud. At the expense of distinctiveness, wearability is the focus here. This kind of toned-down Oud has already encountered me in Dark Rose by Czech & Speake.
This is not bad and certainly has its justification, as the radically executed Ouds by Montale cannot appeal to everyone. But it remains a smoothed-out copy. If the wonderful accord of the top note were more durable, Arabian Diamond would make it onto my wish list. As it stands, I miss the independence and distinctiveness that characterize the other Oud creations (Aoud Man, Aoud Gourmet, Night Aoud) by Micallef. I don't need it.
However, one must immediately think of Montale when spraying the scent. For it introduces itself with a note that is almost identical to the "hairspray" accord of the Montale Ouds. Here as there, this must first be endured for a short time before the actual scent emerges. And it captivates the wearer with a remarkably interesting top note. Alongside the intense Oud, there are elements that give it a warm, somewhat dusty character. I think of the pleasantly musty scent of antiquarian bookstores, or the smell of certain old furniture. Unfortunately, this olfactory experience cannot be described very precisely, only that it is very, very attractive and exudes a feel-good character that is lacking in the Montale Ouds.
Unfortunately, this experience does not last; after a few minutes, this olfactory experience on my skin disappears and is followed by a rather mild variant of Oud. Musk gives it a light touch, and I attribute the rather warm hue to the amber. The floral notes are not very prominent; it is by no means the classic Arabic rose-Oud combination that we encounter here.
Therefore, a direct comparison must be made with Steam Aoud by Montale, where the rose is also only hinted at. And this comparison reveals the truth. Arabian Diamond is by far not as intense as Steam Aoud. Several gears have been shifted back in all respects. Any form of roughness has been avoided. The scent is much more subtle. It is not as deep and dark as Steam Aoud. At the expense of distinctiveness, wearability is the focus here. This kind of toned-down Oud has already encountered me in Dark Rose by Czech & Speake.
This is not bad and certainly has its justification, as the radically executed Ouds by Montale cannot appeal to everyone. But it remains a smoothed-out copy. If the wonderful accord of the top note were more durable, Arabian Diamond would make it onto my wish list. As it stands, I miss the independence and distinctiveness that characterize the other Oud creations (Aoud Man, Aoud Gourmet, Night Aoud) by Micallef. I don't need it.
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