I have tried quite a few Montale fragrances since I posted about Patchouli Leaves back in March, but have learned nothing more about the house or its history, so can only repeat what I said then: Montale is a Paris-based perfumer with two lines: an oudh line based on the precious oudh (or agar) wood frequently used in Middle Eastern fragrances, and a regular perfume line. Today I am wearing Aoud Roses Petals, which features notes of oudh, teak, and rose.

Roses Petals starts with a delicate and soft rosewater, which is almost instantly buried under a haze of oudh. The first blast of oudh is often described as medicinal, and that is probably accurate although I don’t find it unpleasant exactly. Certainly it is pungent.

The medicinal part burns off over the next 20 or 30 minutes, leaving a deep, rich wood fragrance, slightly resinous, and softened by the addition of teak, and of course, the rose, which stays very delicate and light. It is not a complicated scent, but it smells wonderful. The lasting power is very good, and I should think it could be worn by either sex.

This is by far my favorite of the four rose perfumes I have tried from Montale (the others are Attar, Aoud Damasus, and Oud Queen Rose), and probably my favorite of the line overall. It is definitely full bottle worthy, although I am not going to need it during the hot summer. I am also quite taken with Aoud Lime, which is a simple blend of oudh, lime, and light spice notes.

For buying information, see the listing for Montale under Perfume Houses.

Note: image of rose petals from Grasse, France via Grasse Office of Tourism.