Photo of Montale Dark Vanilla by Olya Bar©

Pierre Montale has created over 150 fragrances since the initial conception of the house and created a cult-like following. They possess attitude and passion, have a solid reputation of lasting longer than most niche counterparts, and staying loyal to the ode of oud for many years.  My first encounter with Montale perfumes began with none other but Roses Musk, and within the past decade, I managed to accumulate over thirty different releases by the brand since then. When you own so many perfumes from one particular house, some releases tend to be a bit reminiscent of one another; however, Montale Dark Vanilla has proven to be unlike any other. This one is a dark horse galloping through the clouds of Cambodian oud. A deep sensual aroma is so seductive, you feel intoxicated by its intensity and depth, and it slowly takes over your entire mind and body, pulling you into the narcotic state of pleasure. I felt slowly descending into the abyss of smoky vanilla as if it was being cooked over aromatic oud chips, an exotic, masculine stab at vanilla that will appeal to someone with a taste for leather with a pinch of cumin.

Photo of Middle Eastern desert and a black horse collage by Olya Bar

When the intensity of the initial blast of leather subsides, vanilla finally breaks free from it all and shines in its full glory. There is nothing quite like Montale fragrances that are often recognized immediately for their intensity and projection. One of the pioneer players in using oud and vanilla in their compositions, their latest release is quite a stunner. Montale Dark Vanilla makes me think of an exotic horse show in the heart of the Middle East. A dark stallion is being groomed for the showcasing, anointed with exotic oils; its silky-smooth skin is rubbed with aromatic spices. The ambiance is set with oud and vanilla burning in the golden bowls all around the room, and the row of brand-new luxurious leather saddles fills the stables with a sweet, savory aroma.

photo via Unsplash

It’s dawn now, and as the celebratory music plays in the background, the stallion we caught a whiff of earlier breaks through the gates and gallops into the desert towards freedom. His skin is glistering in the setting sun, and his nostrils are savagely inhaling the desert air, he has spent a long time being constrained by what is expected from him, but nature always prevails and corrects the course. His blood is rushing; his trail smells of smoky vanilla and a faint trace of spices. He breaks free from the saddle and leaves behind nothing but narcotic sillage that lingers long after the trail has gone cold. He will never return as he was born to roam free. Montale Dark Vanilla requires a  certain degree of self-confidence and attitude from the wearer, but if you are up for the ride, it will surely be a wild one.

–Olya Bar, Contributor

Notes: Pepper, Cumin, Saffron, Leather, Sandalwood, Cambodian oud, vanilla pods

Europerfumes generously provided a bottle of Montale Dark Vanilla.  The opinions are always my own.

 Montale Dark Vanilla collage by Olya Bar

Thanks to the generosity of Europerfumes we have a draw for 100 ml of Montale Dark Vanilla for one registered reader in the USA ONLY. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoyed most about Olya’s review of Montale Dark Vanilla, If you have tried Montale fragrances before. Draw closes 10/27/2021

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