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tuman1982 – :
Swoon worthy…this is a light but lovely peppery cedar with a gentle sweetness. I am a woman who has been trying so called “mens” scents. I am looking for woody fragrances in particular. This frag stays close to the skin. I get the pencil shaving references…love that smell. Really LOVE this one. It is safe to wear in crowded spaces and definitely office friendly.
This fragrance reminds me of Diors Dune .
I love wearing it in winter with chunky wooden jewelry.
abisoxomon – :
Straight to the point. Pure scent of pencil shavings – and that’s a great thing! Because sometimes you just need a tried-and-tested, unpretentious, even basic tool to get the job done – that’s what a pencil is for and that’s what this scent is for as well. This is a delightfully honest, straightforward mid-woody scent with a cedar that’s never sharp or acrid, but rather mellower, and a lovely clean and spare feel to it. Have to say I don’t detect any of the notes individually – there’s no aura of flowers or spices to me, just a beautifully solid and well-judged, moderate cedar. Completely unisex (it’s not at all too masculine for female lovers of woody scents, and does not get into butch-aftershave territory) and outrageously good value for money. It has integrity! One of the absolute favourite cheapies in my collection and one of the few things I’m happy to have gambled a blind buy on.
IgorVip_87 – :
I’ve had this for a smidge over two years now, languishing in a box, in the bottom of the closet. Purchased new, leather band round the middle, sealed with cellophane. I say ‘languishing’, because when I first tried it (in the middle of a heat wave) it mugged me and left me lying flat out, with a black eye and a fat lip, wallet no where to be found.
I blindly purchased because someone had opined that it was a possible unisex scent – and it’s by the same creator of Lalique’s EN and Perles – both well loved by me, and I thought it’d be an easy risk.
Starts with a huge, bitter blast that lasts a good 20 minutes, but then turns to a sweet, powdery cedar. 90 later, some of the powder has lightly faded, letting the pepper come out to play – sweetness has eased.
(** one half hour after writing the above, the pepper is fading and the powdery sweetness is gently wrapped around soft cedar – BEAUTIFUL!) – edited to insert.
It in no way whatsoever resembles EN, but does bring to mind Bentley INTENSE – which she did also create. Bentley is much more rich and incensey, whereas Graphite is now a peppery, sweet cedar.
Do I consider it unisex? Well, …… it’s certainly possible. I’d say absolutely positively for cold weather ONLY (for women – no idea about men, I’m greedy and am horrible about sharing my toys). and you need to truly enjoy cedar (which luckily, I do!).
Looks like this will be going back onto the perfume shelf and joining the other cold weather bottles.
Batch code laser etched on bottom of bottle, from what I can make out, 11NO102, EDT 79%, 100ml.
igo1136 – :
This is actually not so bad. The main issue is again the performance.
You can get this for really cheap so just overspray it. Don’t hesitate. During the first hours of the day you will have this sweet woody smell. When the dry down arrives it does not develop into anything special and by the time you leave office you will have a faint trace on your skin. And you can re-apply in the evening or wear something else without interfering.
However, since I started applying this heavily compliments have been flooding in at work, just the same as they did with Carbone. God knows my workmates have smelled different perfumes on me but not many of them have left such and impression. So think about it maybe.
swing75 – :
Montana Graphite is a very different animal than what I am normally used to. I blind bought a bottle based solely on interesting notes and the ever helpful reviews. Btw, thank you all for the wonderful insights, and for yet another blind buy success!
Where to begin? At first sniff, Graphite is a dead ringer for what you get when you bring together a gross of fresh #2 pencils, one of those old grade school manual sharpeners (without the cover that catches the shavings) and a kid with OCD and a bad attitude – a punch in the nose with a fistful of cedar shavings and graphite powder. Straight up, that’s what you get. Any other opening notes are simply there to accentuate that effect.
[Sidenote: If your sinuses aren’t quite on point, this can fleetingly come across like pickle juice. I don’t know how or why, but it did that for me early this morning. And yeah, it was just me. But it’s still kinda funny how one substance can be so easily made to smell like another, under the right (or in this case, wrong) conditions. If the same happens to you, don’t let that put you off — stay the course!]
On dry down, you get more of the same, but a bit softer and more complex. Amber notes warm it up and round it out just a bit. I would wish for a bit more of this effect in the first couple of hours, as it’s still mostly cedar. Think of a room paneled with reclaimed vintage cedar planks, fireplace ablaze on a cold winter’s day.
As hours 3-4 progress, I pick up just the slightest hint of base notes benzoin and sandalwood, not quite harmonizing with the heart of cedar and amber. The effect is the most delicate vanillic sweetness against a still gently sharp cedar backdrop. This would be an absolutely magical transformation, were it not still overwhelmed by the still dominant cedar note.
Waiting for a transformation that never really comes. I’m left lamenting over the unrealized potential of Graphite, but for its fatally heavy-handed use of cedar. Not that it’s terrible, mind you – I still like it and don’t regret the purchase at all. But I have a hard time *loving* any fragrance that so willfully asserts a single note to the expense of what is actually a well selected set of supporting notes. A more balanced use of amber, sandalwood, benzoin, violet, etc., would have really elevated Graphite to something incredible. Such potential, such a tease.
There is a cure – for those who don’t mind layering. Graphite’s cedar note can layer exceptionally well with a lighter fall-winter sweet-spicy-vanillic type scent – Bvlgari Man in Black, Banderas’ The Secret, even PE 360 Black has worked well for me. Even the likes of a cloying Invictus type works astonishingly well in this way. Just go easy on the sweet, lest you drown out the woodsy goodness of Graphite. But I think you will find both scents better when combined.
In spite of its obvious flaws, this scent makes me curious to try the other creations of Nathalie Lorson. In the future, I look forward to eventually finding a “blacker,” more perfect version of Graphite, with more assertive amber/sandalwood/tonka notes. I could not imagine a more magical combination in a masculine fall/winter scent.
EDIT: I think I found “that” scent, in another one of Lorson’s creations – Bentley Intense. It’s the finest balance of wood, spice, sweet and leather that I’ve run across thus far.
dashylia-soldunova – :
The Smell: How nice would it be if the name would fit the smell. I really like the smell of real graphite. That coal like, dark and deep smell.
Montana Graphite has elements of graphite, but the scent is more on the fresh side, due to the pepper.
The pepper note is very prominent to my nose. It smells like fresh cut cucumber. And the whole composition reminds me of pencil shavings in the sillage.
Yes Graphite reminds me also of Carbone de Balmain. But Carbone is better anyway. Carbone has a very smooth plum note which gives me much more elegance and woodiness.
The Alternatives: As mentioned Carbone de Balmain, also Gucci Pour Homme I.
The Sillage: Graphite is to me a medium fragrance, something between soft and strong. Would be right as an office scent. Not very recognizeable in a club or bar.
Noticeable within 8 hours.
The Price: A 100 ml bottle of Montana Graphite can be found at TK/TJ Maxx for around 15 Euro.
simakova – :
Very good frag,it makes me feel really in an old drawing studio,pencils,rubbers,scrubbed paper,ink.Suggestive.Not really strong,but alluring.
ps_studio – :
As I was rather enjoying Carbone from Balmain I bought this one for a very low price. My bottle does not have the leather bracelet but a very cheap paper. I don’t know if this has an influence on the quality of the juice itself. Anyway, I see why it is compared to Carbone but these are two very different beasts. With Carbone I was getting a lot of compliments from the ladies. With this one not. One obvious reason might be the poor projection. Not bad but not head turning either.
Janibekvip – :
Not much to add – I totally agree with the pencil shavings and minimalist wood comments. Just to note that my bottle does not have a leather label, just a cheap paper label. Sillage is pretty weak, so not sure if the fragrance was reformulated as well. Nice while it lasts though.
Cane4ek – :
New pencils…pencil shavings – this is exactly what you detect in this heavenly concoction. Maybe this is why they called it “Graphite” ;o) Absolutely spot on. One of the nicest scents I’ve smelt in a long time. Bravo, Nathalie Lorson.
uza.kamila – :
One of the nicest woody perfumes in my opinion. Graphite is quite potent, and beautifully woody, earthy and a little floral. I can detect a Lee Cooper Originals note in there too. It dries down to a lovely smell that reminds me of new pencils. Lots of character here too.
stepan – :
As much as I totally dislike the oud version of this, this version is fantastic.
The initial blast is almost a balsamic vinegar type of smell, but wait it only lasts a few seconds, then the magic begins.
It quickly transitions to a hot iron branded sweet charred wood plank note with a very light whiff of realistic vanilla. This creamy/woody/balsamic affair is there through the life of the fragrance. Soon a slightly creamed fruity note emerges in the background along with a lightly caramelized almond accord. There it sets, slightly smoldering for many enjoyable hours.
Pencil shavings. . okay, but I think this is much more complex, otherwise I want a gross of these special “pencils”.
It is not a traditional fragrance to my nose whatsoever. It is really unusual and lovely. It smells like a comme des garcons creation. Totally unisex, totally awesome. I can’t believe the price of this for the quality of the juice, it was a great deal. It deserves more attention. I purchased on Flea Bay for two pence.
8/10
DemonL1984 – :
سه تا دلیل باعث شد واسه تست اینکاره ناشناخته از ی برند ناشناخته ترغیب بشم ، اول بخاطر دیزاین شیشه و بعدش حضور ناتالی لارسن بعنوان طراح رایحه و در آخر تشابه رایحه ش با یکی از کارای نیش و با کیفیت به اسم کربن
به محض اسپری با هجوم فلفل و رایحه ترنج روبرو میشین و بفاصله کمی رایحه سدر که همین ابتدای کار نشون میده با کاره متفاوتی نسبت به تولیدات دیگه در این سطح مواجهین یا بهتر بگم رایحه ش بیشتر شبیه کارای نیش هست تا ی برند دیزاینر
ترکیب اجزاء عطر در کنار هم تولید آکورد چوبی و چرب مانند میکنه مثه بوی چوب خیس خورده که تم صمغی و چرب داره
از لحاظ تشابه رایحه تونسته خوب کار کنه و تقریبا تا ٪۷۰ تو شبیه سازی موفق عمل کرده و براحتی میتونین با توجه به قیمت کمتر ، اینو جایگزینش کنین
در آخر اینکه گرافیته تقریبا بوش خطی هست و اصلا بوی همه پسندی نداره و بیشتر مخاطبش عطربازای حرفه ایی هستن
موندگاری حدود ۵-۶ ساعت رو پوست سفید و خشک داره با پخش خوب
سن استفاده ترجیحا ۲۸ سال به بالا
Screen – :
I can definitely detect a bit of similarity to Carbone by Balmain, but unlike other reviewers here, I actually find Graphite less complex, and sweeter than Carbone. A few of you described Graphite as dry, green and woody, with a lingering cedar note, but my experience was that the the first spritz opened to a whiff of pepperiness, then pencil shavings, then more pencil shavings and now the dry-down is metallic and sweet, dominated by a dusty, powdery amber, and some tea notes. It does seem to last longer than Carbone, and projects better, but gives me a slight headache, and doesn’t evoke much darkness, or natural wood. I have vintage bottles of Rush and Tumulte, to which this was also compared, and there is a slight overlap, but not a ton. Graphite is respectable and inoffensive; I’ll probably wear it occasionally, but between the two, I’d reach for Carbone first.
Melkiy – :
Smells like Carbone de Balmain…..YES
But Graphite is somehow deeper than Carbone. I get double the projection from Graphite than I do with Carbone. I have the latest formulation of Carbone…maybe the previous one is more like the depth of Graphite…???
No matter….for the prices being low….I am glad I own both!! But, I think i will pass on the new Graphite flanker…Graphite Oud
pro007 – :
If you like discreet, unpretentious and austere woody fragrances along the line of Rush For Men, several minor CDGs, Christian Lacroix Tumulte Pour Homme (to name only a few), you’ll probably like Graphite. A subtly aromatic, cedarwood-driven concoction that’s incredibly versatile and easy to wear. A bit one-dimensional but that’s usually the profile for these kind of fragrances. A go-to office-friendly scent that could be a valid alternative for those days you want to take a break from the lighter vetivers.
Surely not earthshaking but still very nice and cheap ($).
Nice bottle which is a somewhat likable rip-off of both Heeley’s flacons and Malle’s.
Rating: 6.5-7/10
Herz16 – :
At the start I’m getting a very peppery woody slightly sweet fragrance. The woods do make me want to sneeze as it does smell like pencil shavings. After a while the violet leaf starts to dominate the scent and take over.
All in all it is a pleasant experience but the scent is a bit too loud for it’s own good. Also the blending does seem to be a bit off. The sneezy woods and violet leaf seem to be competing in how to overwhelm and dominate your nose instead of been in harmony.
Dahaka_predator – :
84) Nathalie a créé pour trois marques différentes le même parfum (et presque le même nom en plus), c’est un peu bête non?
Graphite=Carbone de Balmain=Autoportrait d’OlfactiveStudio.
Heureusement c’est un beau parfum, un Hyper-boisé adoucit d’ambre-santal-violette.
Tenue moyenne et très faible projection, parfum de peau.
leshav 76 – :
Cedar, violet leaf and pepper off the top. Woody, metallic and spicy respectively all at once. A true highlight in my wearing of this fragrance.
Heart begins with added benzoin and a hint of punchy oakmoss composing a rusty sweetness. The benzoin consistently maintains that top cedar note giving it a cool -pencil shavings near a window under a slow breeze- vibe that is instantly nostalgic until the drydown.
Graphite is metallic, flinty and earthy, without the citrus but all the freshness of pepper, and somewhat sweet!
Нечай – :
I really like the woodiness and strong pepper in this but it kind of turns into a vegetable kind of smell on my skin with tons of black pepper on top. This lingers for around 30 mins then dries down to a very spicy woods and the creamy sandalwood. This is definately a winter fragrance. I like it, i’m not loving it.
The box is quite funky and the bottle plain and simple. I have to admit I do not like the cheap bit of leather around the bottle. The more I smell this on my skin I smell sharpened pencils and the wood curls that fall off.
6/10
stranger87 – :
i love this stuff and as a gasrdeners son if you like geranium you will love this but more geranium leaf than flower give it a go well worth a try a true winter warmer x
Secure – :
Very good fragrance. Somehow a spicier and sweeter Terre d’Hermes. Too bad that it stays close to the skin, at least on me.
If you like spicy frags, try it. If you can’t try it and want to blind buy it, do it but at a low cost (like I did LOL).
Greetings from Chile!
lil_alex – :
Maybe another Diamond from Armani:)…
Here the notes sound great and the boy is cute;).