Montale

Montale was founded in Paris in 2003 by perfumer Pierre Montale, who had spent years in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf creating fragrances for nobility and royal clients. When he returned to Europe, he brought his oriental creations to a Western audience, and that love of Arabia runs through every bottle. The house works with precious woods favored by Arabian perfumers, incense, cedar, and sandalwood among them, and gives a special place to oud, the prized agarwood resin so costly it is sometimes called liquid gold. Each scent is housed in a signature aluminum bottle made to shield its concentrated essences from light. The house is now part of RSS Enterprises.

The signature is intense and long-lasting, woody with a powdery softness, warm spice, and a recurring thread of rose. Rose and agarwood twine together at the heart of many compositions, bergamot lends a bright opening, and musk smooths the finish. Start with Oud Tobacco or White Musk, then explore Chocolate Greedy and Soleil De Capri. These are bold, concentrated perfumes built to last.