Montale

Montale is the perfume house that Pierre Montale launched in Paris in 2003, after returning from the East, where he had begun to work with Oud and the raw materials of Arab perfumery. That origin is present throughout the collection: the Oud, which the house sources from Cambodia, India, and Laos, appears in many of its fragrances alongside rose, saffron, and woods. All its perfumes are packaged in aluminum bottles, which, according to the brand, protect them from light and prolong maceration.

On the oriental side are Black Aoud, the house's iconic fragrance, Oud Dream, Oud Tobacco and Arabians Tonka. The gourmands range from the coffee and rose of Intense Café to the cocoa of Chocolate Greedy and the vanillas of Dark Vanilla, Sweet Vanilla and Vanilla Extasy. Among the florals, Roses Musk, Starry Nights and Intense Tiaré stand out, and for warmth there are citrus scents like Soleil de Capri and Cedrat Lova.

Where to start with Montale

If you want to get to know the house's signature style, start with Arabians Tonka or Roses Musk, which Montale itself presents as icons. If Oud doesn't appeal to you, Pure Love and Holy Musk are good introductions, one with rose and woods and the other with clean musk.