Blue Amber by Montale

Well-made perfume, dusty and super powdery; to me it’s amber, vanilla and patchouli from start to finish. Sometimes it incandesces, other times it seems linear and boring. The good thing is it’s super original, but it doesn’t evolve, it stagnates and offers nothing more. The version I had was overwhelming in longevity and projection, which is why I held that light blue painted metal bottle in such high regard, despite its ugly appearance… nowadays, with a vial, it lacks the excellent performance of that first bottle. Very weak and poor the one now. It’s repetitive to say this in so many reviews of such a wide variety of fragrances, but it’s the reality: it’s not even half as good as it was. I loved the previous version, although there were days I didn’t feel like wearing it due to the excess of oriental sweetness it projected; undoubtedly it’s a purely ostentatious oriental perfume. A must-try if you’re a perfume lover, although I’d only recommend anything from 2018 or earlier, at least that’s what I can say from my experience. Completely unisex.

One of the few things I love about Montale. In general, they are very loud and invasive fragrances, and this is no exception; it has a huge trail. It doesn’t seem artificial to me; I can detect the resins and the amber is perfectly unisex. It opens a bit cold and masculine, but both sexes can wear it; it’s very neutral in the balance between sweetness and bitterness, and its moment is more autumn and night, but if worn well (a minidrop) it can go until summer, giving a hippie and oriental touch. I think I’ve taken to it because of that touch of Guerlinade that people mention, as I like almost everything in Guerlain except the Black Absolu and the Blue Hour.

@drakecito Thanks for your clarification; this explains the sensation this perfume has given me, which is nothing bad at all but lacks character. And if that’s the case, I’ll avoid buying the Black Aoud. I’m in a season where (tired of the latest designer proposals) I’m trying to find something worth it in the niche segment, for scents and performance. Apart from Nasomatto and Orto Parisi, which catch my attention a lot, I wanted to ask you, based on your experience, which of these houses would you recommend: Diptyque, Memo, Frederic Malle, Carthusia, Re Profumo, Kilian, Pierre Guillaume, Mancera, L’Artisan Parfumeur. Thanks in advance for your help, regards.

Is this a Montale? It barely smells at all when sprayed. Perhaps it’s not the right time of year to wear it, as the trail is nothing special. After five minutes, I detect floral, vanilla, and amber notes. The overall scent is pleasant, but it lacks potency; however, the longevity does seem good. The fragrances from this brand can surprise you: it’s a peculiar oriental, dusty, elegant, and soft that genuinely smells good and changes quite a bit on my skin. There are moments when it projects more than others; I’ll try it again in cold weather to see if the projection improves. It is unquestionably beautiful and elegant after an opening that makes you doubt.

Many thanks, Drakecito! Your explanation about amber was crystal clear and very useful for the community. I admit that sometimes I let myself be misled by false information. Blue Amber is a super warm, sweet fragrance with a powdery touch, without being cloying. It’s a classic scent, akin to Guerlain classics with that ‘Guerlinade’ DNA, so it leans more towards the feminine side. The longevity, projection, and trail are brilliant; two sprays are enough. Ideal for winter due to its density and warmth.

A dusty amber with touches of patchouli and vanilla (perhaps a subtle geranium that I find hard to catch), simply perfect in its balance and with an exquisite smell. Addictive, even. After an odd, confusing dry-down, it is where it shines: the amber mixed with vanilla gains strength and is where the fragrance truly comes alive. Unisex, though I see it leaning more towards the masculine side without that preventing a woman from wearing it. Obviously, it is not for a little girl nor a twenty-something. I am not a fan of the brand, quite the opposite, but I must say it is the best Montale perfume I have tried so far and I have loved it. It lacks the complexity and nuances of other ambers like Ambre Fetiche, Ambre Sultan, or Tango, all impressive, but in this case, it feels more appropriate because Blue Amber does not go through any phase that I dislike or that feels ‘dirtier’, as the ones I cited can do. I know it is a lot to say, but personally, I stick with the Montale. Moderate sillage, without suffocating or annoying, with brutal longevity.

I wore this fragrance from this morning. It is a genuine marvel. What a difference the Montale perfumes with oud make compared to those without… I will not elaborate on this review; if you like amber perfumes, you must try at least this one. And if not, still do. Amber, vanilla, and geranium, the three notes I notice most here, very well blended and working really well on my skin. Projection and longevity are beastly. I have nothing more to add.