Year: 2014
Notes: nutmeg, clove, saffron, violet, iris, oud, leather, cypriol, gurjum balsam, sandalwood, cashmere wood, ambergris, musk
Comment: Oud Santal is part of Les Éphémères Collection
Oud Santal is described as "an extraordinary alliance of sandalwood and oud". However, there's just one small caveat, regarding this alliance: it's anything but extraordinary.
Commencing with a spicy-floral introduction, a smoky oud-leather pairing represents the heart. The band aid or medicinal effect, usually found in Montale oud fragrances, is also clearly evident. With a balsamic and creamy woodiness that soon ensues, this stage temporarily delays the dreaded and impending woody-musk drydown, which is artificial, mundane and woefully unoriginal.
Possessing hardly any sillage, especially after the first few minutes, its tenacity is just as underwhelming.
Commencing with a spicy-floral introduction, a smoky oud-leather pairing represents the heart. The band aid or medicinal effect, usually found in Montale oud fragrances, is also clearly evident. With a balsamic and creamy woodiness that soon ensues, this stage temporarily delays the dreaded and impending woody-musk drydown, which is artificial, mundane and woefully unoriginal.
Possessing hardly any sillage, especially after the first few minutes, its tenacity is just as underwhelming.