Fragrance Review: Montale Paris Santal Wood ~ The Element of Surprise + Olfactif For Men Draw

olfactif for men hemingway, eau moderne montale

For the very first time, the niche subscription service Olfactif.com is offering a collection curated for men. September’s theme is Past is Present and this month’s sampler includes Histoires de Parfums 1889 Hemingway (Gerald Ghislain), Thirdman Eau Moderne (Bruno Jovanic) and Montale Paris Santal Wood. In finding a common thread between the three, there was the element of surprise. In our 2013 review of Hemingway, we anticipated tobacco and booze (reflecting Papa’s predilection for both). Instead, Histoires de Parfums’ Hemingway evokes Hemingway’s travels to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with pepper, cinnamon, bergamot and orange blossom, amber, vetiver and vanilla creates an unexpected mix of tropical humidity is added to an opening as bright as the Mediterranean sun. When we reviewed Thirdman Eau Moderne we noted that the interplay of iris and cedar takes this out of the same old, same old men’s citrus scent and elevates it into a neo-cologne.

Two of the sculptures at the waterfront in Marseille by French artist Bruno Catalano

Two of the sculptures at the waterfront in Marseille by French artist Bruno Catalano

When most of us think of Montale Paris we think of oud.   Most of the House’s offerings are Oud-centric and many niche perfume lovers gravitate to the. So put aside your preconceived notion about Montale and approach Santal Wood (2012) with an open mind. While you are at it, set aside the expectations of what a sandalwood fragrance should smell like and be open to what the scent brings you. If you can do that, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

three_seasons y Polish artist Jacek Yerka

Surreal Polish artist Jacek Yerka Three Seasons

Montale’s Santal Wood opens with a very sheer and refreshing aromatic feel, the fresh scent of an herb garden lovingly tended to at an ocean-side cottage. Breezes of cleansing wind roll in off the sea, invigorating the senses and bringing a quiet contentedness to the soul. After a bit of time, honeyed woody notes emerge, a beckoning from the forest nearby. A causal stroll into the woods and we begin to smell more of a warm, dry wooded note, hints of moss, moist sea air, a sweet collection of scents that is both calming and grounding.

Ålholm Environmental installation.

Ålholm Environmental installation from the Tree Project  created  for  International Forest Day 2015  Zonenkinder.org

 The dry down is the most memorable; I feel like I am hugging a tree.  It was if I was in a forest and Montale Santal Wood was able to put the entire tree in a bottle… the bark, the leaves, the wood, and branches. While it shares similarities to  men’s sports scents, it is composed with much more finesse and attention to providing a journey instead of linear experience. Montale  Santal Wood is  marketed by Olfactif as a masculine scent but  can be enjoyed by both men and women. Its sillage is moderate, it will be noticed but not overwhelming. The longevity is great, especially at its base. I would happily add a bottle to my collection

Notes: sea water, juniper, sandalwood, oakmoss.

Michael Singels, Senior Contributor

Disclosure:  Montale Santal Wood was provided to me as part of Olfactif’s new Men’s Collection launched September 1st and available through their subscription service.

Art Direction: Michelyn. I chose sculptures, installations and art, somewhat surreal, that I felt lent an element of surprise.

Thanks to Olfactif.com we have five September Men’s samplers for five US registered readers. To be eligible, please leave a comment if you think a men’s sampler set is a good idea, if you subscribe to Olfactif.com and what you enjoyed about Michael’s review of Montale Santal Wood. Draw closes 9/ 14/ 2015

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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13 comments

  • A men’s sampler set is not a good idea. A men’s sampler set is a great idea. I am not a subscriber to Olfactctif.com. I enjoyed the the chosen photos for this review. U.S.A.

  • My husband is looking for a new signature scent. He went through about 20 bottles at a local shop and found one he liked enough to request a sample. It sits, unused and forlorn, on his dresser. I would absolutely love it if he found his new favorite among these offerings (the Santal Wood sounds especially yummy to me!). US resident. Thanks for the wonderful draw!

  • Sheetal Solai says:

    Lettin a man to try variety of perfumes as a sampler is a great way for exploring what works for him and me. My husband is very particular of what he wears and how it stays on him and so am I. I think this applies to many men’s who will like this sampler as it will give choices and that too without spending a big amount. The Santalwood sounds good as it can be used by both I mean it’s unisex. I am in Usa and would love to get this sampler for my husband and ask my friends to try it too.

  • Men’s sample is a good idea because research after research indicates men are spending more on grooming products and this includes perfumes..if we look at the ratio of men and women releases in the past, it is clear it was much wider than it is now…Montale Santal Wood shows Montale is also brekaing away from its traditional releases, just like Amouage and going into new direction…a herbal and fresh fragrance from Montale would have been unimaginable just few years ago. thanks for the wonderful draw. I am in the US

  • A men’s sampler is a great idea. I don’t currently subscribe to Olfactif. I am very old-fashioned and do believe in gendered fragrance, so this sounds marvelous. I thought Michael’s verbiage was spot-on -really made me “need” to sample all the scents! Want!!

  • I think it’s great to have a men’s sampler! Since all 3 fragrances are considered unisex, I think I would like them as well. I like Cafleurebon on facebook and get newsfeed updates when new articles are posted. I love Michael’s description of the fragrance as a beachy, woodsy destination. I am from the US.

  • It is an interesting idea, though it makes me feel a little like that suggests the other samplers are geared toward women? I love the idea of smelling like I hugged a tree. I am in the US and I don’t have an Olfactif subscription.

  • I am not a subscriber, but I think it’s a good idea to have a men’s sampler. I like the idea of smelling “a tree in a bottle”! I am in the USA. Thanks!

  • “Breezes of cleansing wind roll in off the sea, invigorating the senses and bringing a quiet contentedness to the soul.” That sounds divine, Michael! Of course a men’s sampler set is a great idea! Lot’s of men enjoy fragrance, and a lot of women like to try men’s fragrances (me!). I just subscribed to Olfactif after reading this–I hadn’t known it existed (but full disclosure–I chose the Unisex sampler for my subscription). I’m in USA.

  • I liked reading the part about the opening and stroll in the woods portion of the description. I subsribe already to Olfactif.com. Samples of any type are welcome by me. 🙂

  • I wear unisex – but I like the idea of a men’s sampler; nice for the men in my life! And yes, I subscribe to Olfactif. I am excited to smell Montale Santal Wood – it sounds so different than what I usually think of as sandalwood….but, no I can completely imagine walking in a coastal forest and can’t wait to be transported there!

  • I am a subscriber and this month’s collection is wonderful! Olfactif is becoming my favorite subscription. A men’s sampler box is a very good idea.
    Loved the part about Santal Wood’s dry down. I’m in the USA. Thank you!

  • I think a men’s sampler set is a good idea – for my sons, more than my husband (…. old dog, new tricks, etc.). I do not subscribe to Olfactif.com and I enjoyed Michael’s review of Montale Santal Wood and the tree-hugging image (also that it can be enjoyed by both men and women!)