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dmitrii25 – :
I was intrigued by a flanker to the famous Montale Black Aoud, but ultimately, in trying Intense Black Aoud, it’s very similar to the dark rose / oud composition that is the original, sharing its superlative performance and slightly smoky and subtle undertones along the lines of patchouli and saffron, though only the former is listed here.
I quite like it, as I did the original, but as I sold my bottle of the original, I too would not feel inclined to seek out a lot of this juice. It’s very pleasant and a bit denser than the original, but I prefer the original, which I didn’t imagine I’d describe as relatively easy to wear, but when compared to Intense, the original is a little more modest, frankly.
Still, the Intense is nice and I’m sure some will be pleased with Montale stepping up Black Aoud another notch, but it just doesn’t move the needle much for me.
7 out of 10
WNeyra – :
Being a huge fan of the original Black Aoud, I was very excited about this release and blind bought it. I confirm that indeed the two fragrances are very similar, with the intense version being a tad more floral. Obviously, it is more expensive than the original because it is in “extrait” concentration but is it really?
First of all, on my skin it does not perform any better than the original. Sillage and projection are slightly restrained but I could accept that, being an “extrait”. What I found disappointing, after testing both of them many times simultaneously, is that it does not offer better longevity. And that is a deal breaker, given the price difference of two pretty similar perfumes.
Also, even though the sticker on the bottle writes “Extrait de parfum”, the box and the sticker on the base write “Eau de parfum”. Keep in mind, that I got it directly from their site. I will probably stick with the original Black Aoud next time.
PS : Fragrantica moderators, please change the picture of the bottle with an official white background one 🙂
ded123 – :
Recently aquired this as I am a huge fan of Black Aoud International version (not the made in france formulation) of which I own and cherish.
So… normaly I would bury a fragrance for claiming to be an intense version, especially when it turns out not to be the case, however this is going to get a reprieve.
This isn’t as loud as the international version of black aoud… however black aoud is probably the strongest performing fragrance in my collection of hard hitters which includes Interlude Man (Magnetic Top), Black to Black, Red Aoud, Kouros, Faqat Lil Rijal and Dior Homme Parfum, I can say however that this on my skin gives off what I consider to be the best parts of black aoud, that in my opinion being the floral nuances in contrast to its heavy oud opening which gently simmers down within minutes on my skin.
The dank earthy Patchouli seems toned down in this intense version at least to my nose, I have read in previous reviews that this comes off slightly more feminine and again on my skin in comparison to its predecessor, I have to agree completely and I actually feel it works really well as the dry down is phenominal being slightly sweeter and powdery.
I get similar longevity to the orginal but slightly toned down projection which I dare say will please some of the critics of the orginals monster performance.
All in all a respectable showing, well done Montale.
pavvelb – :
You people are truly amazzzzzzzing:)) First you start saying that INTENSE doesn’t really means its stronger or longer lasting- then in the end of review say its too strong and room filling…my word that you can never really trust a review here or online for that matter cause every time its over exaggerating and makiong a matter of opinion a statement which i believe its wrong! i say always when you commit to write a review that millions will read , please be more careful and honest,
i humbly THANK YOU if YOU do that
GreyCopy – :
intense as in many cases it does not mean stronger or longer lasting … and this case confirms it.
there is a higher concentration of oils (in fact it is a very oily perfume) but to say that it is clearly stronger I would not say it.
the scent is splendid. surpassed the initial part I would say fecal where all the notes fight each other the cute mandarin takes a less synthetic rose of classic black aoud and remain together for a while. of oud for now little and nothing.in the background there is always that sort of smell of dishwashing detergent but sometimes it is a hallmark of many montale.la pink I confirm that it is a very natural rose, very pleasant. really nice.
no word like toxic waste is apt. I think that montale has turned in the use of its components that here appear decidedly natural and not very synthetic. And who said that the last bottles had less strength, well he will have to change his mind.
patchouli and musk are dominated by pink and mandarin. patchouli sometimes appears but as a supporting actor.
after a quarter of an hour he begins oud.
my opinion is that it is less intense than rose, at least for the first quarter of an hour, while the rose is becoming a rose soapy I would say old style.
the oud is there. but unlike the classic black aoud, it accompanies the rose without overwhelming it. and unfortunately I find it a somewhat faecal aoud. not really pleasant.
the scent slips away between very soapy pink and I would say grandmother accompanied by mandarin. there is aoud but it is not a protagonist like in the classic black aoud. this fragrance could also be used in spring. and in my opinion it is much more feminine than black aoud classic.
pro: better quality of the ingredients used, very natural and pleasant pink especially at the beginning. I like the mandarin that accompanies the rose.
against: oud little present and slightly faecal and the rose turns into a rose style grandmother.
conclusions: if you love the montale buy it, knowing that it is a more feminine scent than masculine and in my opinion different than the classic black aoud. it is not a dark perfume but a scent of rose and mandarin with hints of oud, but oud is not the protagonist .. also wearable in spring.
it’s really intense at the nose.3 sprays are more than enough. the performances have improved in intensity. slightly (but it was unthinkable to do so) in longevity and sillage.
7/10 total vote.
update:is really too strong. 3 spray fill an house.
ImmepKayamb – :
Simmer down, people! We know the name is silly and meaningless. All the Montales have stupid sounding names and wierd marketing. This is black aoud with a bit less rose and mandarin, a bit dryer and rougher. Thats it. Black Aoud is probably their most popular offering so they did a flanker, probably with an eye towards guys who say theres too much rose in the original. Both are great, settle down.
duukst55 – :
People are immensely screwing up the notage on this and the original
It is not ‘CITRUS’ rose or patchouli as the main note
it’s BETTLENUT or supari (can be found an eaten as paan in pakistani indian restaurants)
Inna555 – :
What was the need to make a scent that is practically the same as Black Aoud? Montale has excellent capabilities to find new solutions.
timoha71 – :
about the “Why again a stronger version of an already olphactory bomb?” the answer is bc Pierre Montale can and we want and we will. we will appreciate it bc the Montale perfumes are each strong presences in their own right where I love the oudh-rose combos the most (more, more instead of what the prissy criticasters say of “there are already so much oudh-rose combos on the market”). marketing doesn’t play an important, if any, role in my purchases of perfume. I clearly remember ten years ago, or so, I had to decide between Attar, Black Aoud [as Montale calls it] and Louban. it was a fun moment, what perfumery in essence is. Black Aoud in the end I found too….”dry”, compared to the other two. I also distinctly remember the “gun in da face” start of the three, all. but with Louban this sensation was the most evident. I finally chose for Attar which buzzed off a hardcore (to me) oudh-rose perfume. later I learned instead of oudh it is a “double distilled sandelwood” which synesthesizes with the beautiful rose. yet I could swear, as with many reviewers, there is oudh in Attar. Montale you have us schooled too good.
then now the Black Aoud Intense. still a decant (alas but will buy a full flacon soon of this “extrait de parfum”), I was immediately brought back in hypnotic reminescence to that sniffing session years ago and again the draught caught my attention, a certain dryness as with Mme. Gres’s Cabochard and Dusitas Sillage Blanc, both fantastic perfumes. a bewitching oudh rivulets to the surface and cloches you immediately and irreversibly. the rose is more intermingled with the oudh like in Dusitas masterpiece Oudh Infini yet there, at a certain 3+, 4+ hours point, out emerges a beautiful rose de mai. here with MBOI we get the wall (Oudh Infini, there from civet and an unbelievable strong oudh; Bogue Profumos Maaj; Ex Idolo Thirty Three, there from a strong 33 years ago distilled oudh plus an intricately in the oudh alchymied chinese rose-oil and Taifi roses) of, IMMEDIATELY, a STRONG oudh (and now even stronger) with a very sophisticated rose what Pierre Montale does so good and why there is so much Montale bashing around by elitist amnostic snob nez’s as Octave Coiffan, Roja Dove, Luca Turin, Kafkaesque, Serge Lutens et al.
the “dryness” is a ‘mouilleux sec’ embossed in the perfume which makes this perfume exceptional, in its own right, a real asset to an oversatiated market but who cares. choose your pic. as a Giorgio-Poison-Obsession-Knowing-Gale Hayman Beverly Hills adept I can appreciate this perfume from beginning to end.
after one hour beyond first application (as this is jargon in parfumista land) a fantastic rose appears and this is the truly alchymy of perfumery how, they DELAY the appearance of certain notes or how such strong notes as rose and oudh bewitch and enrich each other. this doesn’t at all means the oudh is vanished because we smell an almost heavenly and in its own intricacy yet more complex ‘oversensorial rose’ a rose of the thymes.
TupattellaBot – :
Hardcore Black very dificult to wear and not for everyone..This is a Bomb..Do not Spray it in front..The biggest Longevity and sillage from all Montale since.
Ghost69 – :
This needed an intense version? The original is already a white knuckled, gritted teeth, balls to the wall, smells like a crime scene fragrance.
Take my money!
gimnast1995 – :
This one is exactly as the name states, Black Oud Intense. A stronger offering of the original. To my nose the scent itself is the same, just louder and stronger. Maybe a tad bit more floral but tough to discern. I like it, will most likely purchase the full bottle. As with most other Montales, good projection and longevity.