Montale is famous for its aoud (agarwood) fragrances, and while some people can't get enough of them, I prefer the non-aouds they have to offer. Call me crazy: I just can't get behind the idea of putting something tarry-smelling in perfume. Musk to Musk is one of those non-aoud Montales in which they sneaked in some aoud anyway. I expected a nice, slightly spicy skin musk when I sampled this. I got a nostril searing kick of pepper, aoud, and musk. I could also swear there's some sort of aquatic note. It is LOUD! And it grows louder as it warms on the skin. The official notes are: white musk, nutmeg, aoud, teak wood, precious woods, grey amber, musk.
I could see this working for a man, or a VERY adventurous woman. But it's not for me. But aren't the Montale bottles so nifty and non-traditional? I want one. I just have to find a Montale I like enough to justify the raging expense ($95 for 50 ml). You can buy most Montale fragrances at http://www.luckyscent.com, which is where I got my sample.
Sunset Flowers has the cutest name, and the most nostalgic sounding combination of notes: Lemon tree blossom, green apples, blue chamomile, violets. Doesn't that just make you think of childhood? I never had lemon trees and am pretty sure I had no idea what chamomile was as a child, but when I read that list for some reason I feel about 6 years old. I wish I liked the way they all smelled together! Sunset Flowers opens with a zesty lemon tang, closely accompanied by the green apple. It's very sweet and sour, and reminds me of a Jolly Rancher. I could also swear there was some lily of the valley in there. Unfortunately, as it dries down it verges more towards sour than I prefer, and it takes on the same sort of scent that aquatic notes gone wrong do on my skin-it grates on my nerves. If I put my nose practically against my wrist, I can smell a hint of the herbal chamomile. At no point do the violets emerge. I wish the floral facet of this scent were more prevalent to balance out the sour fruitiness.
