Montale Aqua Palma by Olya Bar

If you could capture the feeling of finding yourself in the hot blazing air of the oasis in the heart of the Ubari desert, it would be Montale Aqua Palma. Warm and creamy, it develops on the skin so smoothly I can compare it to a sunset that starts with a beautiful shade of blood orange and slowly transitions into various dusty pastel shades before finally turning into a lovely shade of pink before falling into the darkness.

Montale Aqua Palma provided by the brand.

Montale Aqua Palma depicts a true mirage of the senses, a breathtaking play on the tuberose accord, which had all its tropical and carnal facets wrapped into the cashmere cocoon of the sensual ambergris, taming down the true character of the tuberose. For years Pierre Montale teased us with powerful ouds, spices, and roses. With the latest releases, I’ve seen the brand take exciting swings in all the new directions, including one of my absolute favorites,  Montale Blue Matcha, and one of the sexiest spins on vanilla with Dark Vanilla. Sprinkled with the juice of peach, the iris that hides in the initial opening is finally brought to light. Stripped bare, it suddenly seems fluffy and voluptuous. Its buttery, creamy facets toned down, like an unveiling of a lush, velvety suede texture under a layer of silk. This one also leaves one monstrous scent trail, which you will find addictive.

Ubari Oasis, Fezzan, Libya iStock Photo

In contrast to the freshness of the citrus, which has a salty zing, the heart is so captivating I find myself burying my nose in my wrists all day long. The sandalwood and savory accord of the ambergris base lends to a tender, reassuring trail that makes a statement. If you have fallen victim to the sensual and animalic charm of tuberose before, you would most certainly enjoy this one. It bears the mark of Montale with its robust and suave projection that lingers in the room long after you have left the party, but it doesn’t announce your arrival. A perfectly balanced composition that offers an escape to the far east without using the traditional notes of oud. I wouldn’t constrain it to any of the specific seasons, either. I would expect it to diffuse marvelously in the hot air of the middle east and its original inspiration, the Ubari deserts, a vast area of towering dunes in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya. There are about 20 lakes in the Ubari Sand Sea – a beautiful palm-fringed oasis that appears like anomalies in the harsh desert environment. Some of these lakes are nearly five times saltier than seawater since they continuously evaporate and have no rivers replenishing them, which causes the dissolved minerals in the lake waters to become concentrated. Interestingly enough, Montale Aqua Palma captures it truly, translating the fresh sea-salt aroma set against a vivid floral heart. I imagine an exotic flower growing on the shores of the lush, green oasis amid complete stillness, where Its sweet heady aroma feels almost gourmand as the tonka bean facet adds a pinch of nuttiness.

Modern. Sensual. Addictive. A perfect fragrance to seduce your senses and can quickly become a salty floral staple in any fragrance wardrobe.

–Olya Bar, Editor.

Notes, Citrus, Peach, Tuberose, Iris, Tonka Bean, Ambergris, Sandalwood.

Twisted Lily generously provided a bottle of Montale Aqua Palma. I am a Digital Strategy & Communications Manager for Twisted Lily. The opinions are always my own

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