TimBeckmann

Hi there, as a big fan of the Ormonde Jayne brand, I placed my order as soon as the new Montabaco Aruba was announced. And then it arrived and I can share some of my associations with you.

In general, I quickly made a comparison with Burlington 1819, but not in the sense that they smell the same. Rather, it is the citrus-leather combination that OJ takes up in Aruba and translates into the well-known Montabaco DNA.

The fragrance starts with a beautiful citrus blend. For me, it is very light, not quite powdery... for me, sparkling is the right term. But not a lemonade tingle, more like sparkling water with citrus.

However, this start is quickly (a few minutes for me) made up for by the floral notes. On the one hand, the combination reminds me of the violets from Gatsby 22 and conveys a further feeling of freshness. Another striking point for me is the magnolia, which immediately brings to mind the association with Musk Therapy Extrait de Parfum. I don't think it's a feminine flower, it's definitely unisex.

The base, on the other hand, leans masculine for me. The leather is not soft, rather smoky and tanned. However, it is not overly present and combines beautifully. Cardamom adds a slight spicy note, which is good for the otherwise fresh-floral combination.

The Montabaco DNA is clearly visible, and other influences from other fragrances can also be recognized. However, Aruba is not my immediate association, as I would have imagined other notes/focuses. The citrus notes in particular could have been more pronounced for me (given the name). For me, however, it's not a MUST that the name should always match 100%.

All in all, a great fragrance that I think complements the Montabaco series well, even if the name doesn't quite fit for me.