Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano by Karl Topham©
“I believe that the problem of how to depict something is … an interesting one and it is a permanent one; there is no solution to it. There are a thousand and one ways you can go about it. There is no set rule.” David Hockney ‘A Bigger Splash’1967.
As I apply Montabaco Verano to the back of my hand and carefully study the bright azure blue bottle with its transition to a dramatic golden hue in the base and silver cap, my mind swirls and I envisage three distinct thoughts that roll into one. The painting, ‘A Bigger Splash’ by David Hockney, the hill town of Matera in the most recent James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’ and the background music of Maluma’s ‘Felices Los 4’. Indeed, the beauty of Montabaco Verano is its versatility and ability to conjure up a range of emotions and moods in an instant.
‘A Bigger Splash’1967 close up by David Hockney courtesy of tate.org.uk
The key to Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano is the opening. It is a statement that elicits a creative and innovative aspect to the scent and why I immediately thought of ‘A Bigger Splash’ when applying this special fragrance. It is so abstract. However, understandable. The grapefruit note is done incredibly, which brings such a freshness and uplifting quality that one instantly feels positively awakened. This creates the ‘splash’ in my mind. It is an iconic, sun-drenched, and seductive facet, which blends the image of upsurging cascades of water, so pleasurable in combination with orange absolute, bergamot and the illusive air note listed. As I turn to the painting, there are delicately brushed whites depicting the important bursts of foam and the use of deeper blue tones depicting the escapism into an exotic world just beyond our grasp.
Translating a scent into words is a pleasure for me and Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano is a joy. The heart of violet leaf, magnolia and rose brings forth the laconic and relaxed vibes of taking a cocktail in upbeat company. In particular, the violet leaf and juniper gives a chilled green and mossy vibe with a metallic edginess I simply adore; whilst the magnolia and cardamom soften this out providing a subtle caress. The tea note accentuates the freshness of Verano; further enhancing the excitement and energy of the fragrance. This preciseness and balance reflected in the imagery created by Hockney; stylistic and perfectly capturing space and time.
Photograph of ‘A Bigger Splash’ by David Hockney A Bigger Splash 1967 Tate.Org.Uk
Let now us move attention to the 2012 Montabaco, the soul of the scent, which Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano is based upon. The outline of Hockney’s painting is the raw amber canvas, which links with the base of Montabaco Verano and its original counterpart with the use of cashmeran, tobacco leaf, ambergris, and suede. It has that rugged feel of the hilltops of Matera, the arid rocky dwellings built into the picturesque otherworldly surroundings of the southern Italian town. The harmony of the notes, particularly the sandalwood, suede and Iso E Super provide me with the soft Latin melody echoing in my mind. As such the scene is perfectly crystalised in Hockney’s painting with the blocks of colour, the building’s glass an almost opaque striking image.
Daniel Craig & Lea Seydoux in Matera, Italy on the set of No Time To Die (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
This scent is a ‘Tour De Force’ it contains the brash bravado of Bond (Daniel Craig) juxtaposed with the sultry tones and style of Maluma. To me it epitomizes the fusion of traditional versus the modern. Here I can imagine the influence of Geza Schoen in this collaboration with brand founder and perfumer Linda Pilkington. The blending of such complex ingredients in what gives the impression of simplicity is a triumph. It is a slow fragrance that unfurls its secrets steadily, but, with intent. The notes breathe life into one’s day and this is a moment in time to savour. The lifecycle of the scent transitions from the fresh and ebullient, to a slightly dirty and charred vibe as I notice a slight hint of rubber about half an hour in. This is quite daring and unexpected. Think the steaming wheels of an Aston Martin in fury. It is quite fleeting but is a reference to action and danger. Once this settles, the traditional nuances of Montabaco rears its head and we left with a scent that delivers on many fronts. Fresh, airy, tropical, slightly wild, also seductively smooth.
Notes – Grapefruit, Bergamot, Air note, Orange Absolute, Juniper, Clary Sage, Cardamom, Magnolia, Rose, Violet, Tea Notes, Cashmeran, Tobacco Leaf, Iso E Super, Suede, Sandalwood, Moss, Tonka, Ambergris
Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano released in 2019 as a Harrods Exclusive and is now available on the official Ormonde Jayne website as part of The Four Corners Collection.
Disclaimer – Bottle of Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano kindly sent to me by the brand. Thoughts are my own.
–Karl Topham, Contributor
Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano by Karl Topham©
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