Sensual Instinct
Sensual Instinct by Montale is an unisex eau de parfum in the niche price tier. It opens with bergamot, mandarin, cardamom, saffron and whiskey, moves into amberwood, jasmine, rose and patchouli and dries down to cocoa, coffee, vanilla, oakmoss, cedarwood and white musk. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects very strongly.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
- Cardamom Cool, aromatic spice with a eucalyptus lift. Smells expensive.
- Saffron Leathery, medicinal and slightly metallic. The signature of modern niche.
- Whiskey Boozy, oaky, a little smoky. Warmth you can almost taste.
Heart
- Amberwood Dry synthetic warmth, sharper than amber. Everywhere in modern masculines.
- Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
- Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
- Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
Dry-down
- Cocoa Dry, dusty chocolate. Bitter rather than sweet.
- Coffee Roasted, bitter and dark. Adds edge to sweet fragrances.
- Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
- Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
- Cedarwood Dry, pencil-shaving woodiness. Clean and structural.
- White Musk Clean, soft, laundry-like. The 'smells like nothing but better' note.
Smells like this
- Atelier Cologne Café Tuberosa
- Clive Christian Strange Heavens Out of the Blue
- Atelier des Ors Cocoa Kimiya Extrait
- House of Sillage Nouez Moi
- Montale Intense Cherry
- Mind Games Prodigy
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