I've never detected oud in any of Montale's scents, unless having oud in the name of the scent counts. Quite a number of their best-sellers don't even include that awful, synthetic oud. Sweet Oriental Dream and Red Vetyver, for example. I've tried getting into Montale, but they've never seemed to work for me. Black Aoud did smell extraordinary on someone I ran into at the store a number of weeks back.

I still need to try Arabian Oud at some point, though I'm sure that won't be for a number of years. Too many other priorities are popping up at the moment...

I'm sampling a number of fragrances for reference if nothing else. 50mL Aventus is still two weeks off. LDDM, Chergui, and DHI are impressing me thus far. I was worried about the supposed batch issues with DHI, but I think I'll go ahead and purchase a bottle this fall. There's a certain fruitiness I haven't seen anyone else mention. I can't quite put my finger on it.

(06-02-2016 5:24 PM)Ekscentra Wrote:  I've never detected oud in any of Montale's scents, unless having oud in the name of the scent counts. Quite a number of their best-sellers don't even include that awful, synthetic oud. Sweet Oriental Dream and Red Vetyver, for example. I've tried getting into Montale, but they've never seemed to work for me. Black Aoud did smell extraordinary on someone I ran into at the store a number of weeks back.

I still need to try Arabian Oud at some point, though I'm sure that won't be for a number of years. Too many other priorities are popping up at the moment...

I'm sampling a number of fragrances for reference if nothing else. 50mL Aventus is still two weeks off. LDDM, Chergui, and DHI are impressing me thus far. I was worried about the supposed batch issues with DHI, but I think I'll go ahead and purchase a bottle this fall. There's a certain fruitiness I haven't seen anyone else mention. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Well yes, you're right. I was thinking about Dark Aoud, Black Aoud, Aoud Musk...

I believe there has been some reformulation with Montale, I used to be a big fan of Blue Amber; quite a powerhouse. Bought again like 2 yrs. ago and it seemed to have been neutered.

I don't know if/where you can get Arabian Oud if you are in the US. Still worth sampling if you can. They also have some oil perfumes, which I like to make my own phero mixes (I prefer oils vs alchol base).

Your choices seem quite solid anyways. Serge Lutens is a house to look into.

I've heard too many horror stories on Montale reformulations to look deeper into their non-oud offerings.

As for Arabian Oud, I'll get my hands on them somehow. In the meantime, there are many options to hold me over.

(06-02-2016 5:24 PM)Ekscentra Wrote:  I've never detected oud in any of Montale's scents, unless having oud in the name of the scent counts. Quite a number of their best-sellers don't even include that awful, synthetic oud. Sweet Oriental Dream and Red Vetyver, for example. I've tried getting into Montale, but they've never seemed to work for me. Black Aoud did smell extraordinary on someone I ran into at the store a number of weeks back.

I still need to try Arabian Oud at some point, though I'm sure that won't be for a number of years. Too many other priorities are popping up at the moment...

I'm sampling a number of fragrances for reference if nothing else. 50mL Aventus is still two weeks off. LDDM, Chergui, and DHI are impressing me thus far. I was worried about the supposed batch issues with DHI, but I think I'll go ahead and purchase a bottle this fall. There's a certain fruitiness I haven't seen anyone else mention. I can't quite put my finger on it.

I agree on Chergui. I don't have the original, but I have the Chergui oil version from TFS and it smells great! I am wearing it now.

Timbuktu shot to the top of my list after wearing it to work recently. Almost everyone was opening me enthusiastically all morning with a fresh application. I'd originally thought this was down to my doubling my dose of SS4M, but no other fragrance resulted in this type of response. Interestingly, Karo Karounde is said to have potent pheromonal activity. If it's responsible for what I'm smelling in Timbuktu (and I imagine it is), I may have a new favorite floral note. This one is a serious winner.

On another note, props to Snoopy for mentioning how difficult it is to OD on SS4M. I'd read something on the Love Potion forums encouraging one to stick to low doses (as this user experienced ghosting or lack of results at high doses), but as yet that experience hasn't proven true in the least for me. All-around positive responses (with one non-mones related exception), and I can't think of any mix that's done so well for me in this respect.

(05-12-2016 10:26 AM)BeautifulEnigma Wrote:  At first spray it smelled a bit too strong, and then after dry down I couldn't stop smelling it from the strip it was sprayed on!

But yes! Incredibly expensive. $935 for 17 Oz, although a better deal than getting the smaller sizes, is a hefty price to shell out.

I bought some 'Creed Windsor' from TFS oil based and similar your experience, it starts out pretty bold and flowery, but as it dries down it really is fantastic. Their little samples vials are only $5 I think. It's been a while since I ordered it.

"Creed Windsor' I believe was renamed Mayfair. Same formula. If I am wrong, I apologize, but somebody point it out if I am. I would definitely suggest trying the 'Windsor' oil though.

(06-06-2016 9:37 PM)HappyGoSkillfully Wrote:  I bought some 'Creed Windsor' from TFS oil based and similar your experience, it starts out pretty bold and flowery, but as it dries down it really is fantastic. Their little samples vials are only $5 I think. It's been a while since I ordered it.

"Creed Windsor' I believe was renamed Mayfair. Same formula. If I am wrong, I apologize, but somebody point it out if I am. I would definitely suggest trying the 'Windsor' oil though.

Royal Mayfair is a reformulated Windsor. Pretty much same scene though. Few changes.

I tried Royal Mayfair recently. After 5 minutes, I get olfactory fatigue, so in spite of wearing it, I never get to experience the scent. It doesn't diffuse well for me, so neither do others. I may have to come up with my own masculine rose scent at some point. There don't seem to be many suitable options on the market.

(06-07-2016 1:14 AM)Ekscentra Wrote:  I tried Royal Mayfair recently. After 5 minutes, I get olfactory fatigue, so in spite of wearing it, I never get to experience the scent. It doesn't diffuse well for me, so neither do others. I may have to come up with my own masculine rose scent at some point. There don't seem to be many suitable options on the market.

Ever tried Cartier Declaration? Xerjoff more than words ?

(06-07-2016 8:41 AM)ak4d4 Wrote:  Ever tried Cartier Declaration? Xerjoff more than words ?

Are they similar to mayfair?