This smells a lot more accessible than I expected it to. I don't usually like rose as a note, and I often dislike coffee as a note as well. But the coffee and rose go well together, and balance each other out. Coincidentally, I just tried Mancera Roses Vanille shortly before this, as I got both as free samples with a LuckyScent order. I can see why people say they're similar. To me, Intense Cafe has a slightly bolder touch, where Roses Vanille is airier and more delicate. They feel like they could be flankers, with Roses Vanille representing roses in an ice cream parlour, and Intense Cafe being roses in a coffee shop. I like them both, but I find Intense Cafe to be stronger and more unisex than Roses Vanille. It does still lean feminine, but less so than RV. It ... MoreThis smells a lot more accessible than I expected it to. I don't usually like rose as a note, and I often dislike coffee as a note as well. But the coffee and rose go well together, and balance each other out. Coincidentally, I just tried Mancera Roses Vanille shortly before this, as I got both as free samples with a LuckyScent order. I can see why people say they're similar. To me, Intense Cafe has a slightly bolder touch, where Roses Vanille is airier and more delicate. They feel like they could be flankers, with Roses Vanille representing roses in an ice cream parlour, and Intense Cafe being roses in a coffee shop. I like them both, but I find Intense Cafe to be stronger and more unisex than Roses Vanille. It does still lean feminine, but less so than RV. It still leans a bit too stereotypically feminine for my taste, but I could see enjoying it in small doses if my wife or a friend wore it.

I'm still always wary of the oud scents, even though they've often proven to be lovely to my nose. Patchouli is the really scary (to me) common note in much of the Montale line, but luckily, Aoud Forest doesn't have any patchouli! This is a gorgeous, fresh woodsy scent featuring notes of white musk, ambergris, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, rose, ginger and marine notes. I find myself feeling a little confused on where the woodiness comes from since there is no oud or other types of wood listed in the official notes (unless the name implies the oud without actually listing it?). I guess somehow the really fresh marine and citrus aspects combined with the spicier rosemary and ginger creates this afternoon mountain hike of a fragrance! It is a little bit traditionally ... MoreI'm still always wary of the oud scents, even though they've often proven to be lovely to my nose. Patchouli is the really scary (to me) common note in much of the Montale line, but luckily, Aoud Forest doesn't have any patchouli! This is a gorgeous, fresh woodsy scent featuring notes of white musk, ambergris, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, rose, ginger and marine notes. I find myself feeling a little confused on where the woodiness comes from since there is no oud or other types of wood listed in the official notes (unless the name implies the oud without actually listing it?). I guess somehow the really fresh marine and citrus aspects combined with the spicier rosemary and ginger creates this afternoon mountain hike of a fragrance! It is a little bit traditionally masculine, but I think I would wear this on a crisp fall day, or possibly also layered with something a little bit sweeter. It is so ultra fresh, and I think it would combine well with other sweet citrus or floral scents! As the cooler months start to close in, I think I might enjoy playing with Aoud Forest some more!

SOTD is Full Incense by Montale is a Amber Woody fragrance for women and men. Full Incense was launched in 2010. The nose behind this fragrance is Pierre Montale. Full incense is a fragrance dominated by the Somalia incense note,rounded by elemi and labdanum resins,cedar and patchouli, according to Fragrantica. [unpaid ad-product bought with my money] This is similar with Cardinal (Heeley), Avignon (CdG), and Fille en Aiguilles (Lutens). To my nose this is a closer replica of Catholic church incense than Avignon. Also, it performs significantly better. Sometimes Avignon comes across as soapy... there is nothing soapy about Full Incense by Montale. Out of all four forementioned, I think Full Incense is the best, with Avignon being a close second. They are quite ... MoreSOTD is Full Incense by Montale is a Amber Woody fragrance for women and men. Full Incense was launched in 2010. The nose behind this fragrance is Pierre Montale. Full incense is a fragrance dominated by the Somalia incense note,rounded by elemi and labdanum resins,cedar and patchouli, according to Fragrantica. [unpaid ad-product bought with my money] This is similar with Cardinal (Heeley), Avignon (CdG), and Fille en Aiguilles (Lutens). To my nose this is a closer replica of Catholic church incense than Avignon. Also, it performs significantly better. Sometimes Avignon comes across as soapy... there is nothing soapy about Full Incense by Montale. Out of all four forementioned, I think Full Incense is the best, with Avignon being a close second. They are quite similar in smell, but FI is a bit more resinous, with a super slight peppery note that accents the incense beautifully. Churchy-like incense, with some smoky sweetness.The incense note is rounded by elemi, labdanum resins and cedar. Smoky, warm and meditative. This is a glorious scent that differs just a bit from Avignon's subtle "cranberry" note. For me FI it might just be too linear and simple, lacking complexity... You cannot go wrong with either one, but I do think that FI is overall a better product, with a longer, more complex development. Avignon is much softer IMO which I also like but prefer the Montale. I believe it's redundant to own both, but some rumours says that FI was reformulated and it’s not anymore the fragrance that used to be, so for that reason imo it’s much better to sampling both and see which one you’ll like.

I ordered a custom sampler set from the Montale website and was interested in the notes so decided to give it a try. Out of the 5 I ordered this was my least favorite initially so I decided to spray it on my skin and let it sit for the evening just to see how it performed. At first I did not love it, I still don't love it but it started to grow on me. I'm incredibly sensitive to patchouli and of course that's what my nose picked up on almost immediately, I was hoping for the plum or orange note to come through but no dice. After a few hours though when it started to settle down and the amber and musk started to come through? Beautiful. It started giving off soft mysterious vibes. It's not loud and attention seeking, but rather intimate, sexy, and confident. This is ... MoreI ordered a custom sampler set from the Montale website and was interested in the notes so decided to give it a try. Out of the 5 I ordered this was my least favorite initially so I decided to spray it on my skin and let it sit for the evening just to see how it performed. At first I did not love it, I still don't love it but it started to grow on me. I'm incredibly sensitive to patchouli and of course that's what my nose picked up on almost immediately, I was hoping for the plum or orange note to come through but no dice. After a few hours though when it started to settle down and the amber and musk started to come through? Beautiful. It started giving off soft mysterious vibes. It's not loud and attention seeking, but rather intimate, sexy, and confident. This is definitely something I would consider a grown woman smell, it's not for the every day or teenagers (to me) and definitely for someone with intent. May it be to feel sexy, dark and mysterious, etc. It also did last a LONG time. I sprayed it at 8pm and it was the first thing I smelled when I woke up at 7:30am! I was definitely surprised. I think it's a good fragrance with WONDERFUL lasting power, it's just not for me personally.

This fragrance… it’s by far my favorite niche perfume. I love all things coffee so maybe I’m bias but this smells so rich and yummy. A lot of people say it smells more like roses and they don’t get too much of a coffee note but I think it’s the opposite. I think this smells like the name states.. like an intense cafe. Like walking into a fancy cafe in Paris and being assaulted by coffees and lattes that are rich and gourmand. The staying power on this is amazing. The only thing I don’t like is the aluminum lightweight bottle.. for the price and the brand it should be heavier but I guess the material and the way it keeps all light out to maintain the strength of the fragrance I guess it’s good.. and if you drop this bottle it won’t break so there’s that too but I ... MoreThis fragrance… it’s by far my favorite niche perfume. I love all things coffee so maybe I’m bias but this smells so rich and yummy. A lot of people say it smells more like roses and they don’t get too much of a coffee note but I think it’s the opposite. I think this smells like the name states.. like an intense cafe. Like walking into a fancy cafe in Paris and being assaulted by coffees and lattes that are rich and gourmand. The staying power on this is amazing. The only thing I don’t like is the aluminum lightweight bottle.. for the price and the brand it should be heavier but I guess the material and the way it keeps all light out to maintain the strength of the fragrance I guess it’s good.. and if you drop this bottle it won’t break so there’s that too but I still wish it were made of something different. For me this perfume is one of the best scents. The projection is crazy. I sprayed a tester strip in my room and the scent lingered in the air all day after. From a tester strip I can see how this fragrance could work for men and be yummy on them but when I spray it on myself and it warms up to me it just pulls more feminine but that could be because of my body chemistry. Either way I can’t rave enough about this one. It’s worth every single penny. The hype surrounding this one is much deserved. If you love coffee or even just coffee scents then you NEED this in your collection. It won’t disappoint.

She’s a complex one this Intense Cafe! Buckle up and read on sweet reader she wants your attention. To start with this is one of my most complimented on fragrances. It’s starts out STRONG with a jammy like rose mixed with a sweet latte. She is sweet she is loud, she is a brat, but a loveable one. The closest mainstream comparison in my eyes would be Black Opium by YSL. If you know that fragrance start there then turn the dial up to a 10 on the floral notes keep the coffee note dialed down by 2 or so and let the base line of vanilla ride. Intense cafe belts out like an 80s video. Flashing herself in neon colors probally wearing frosted lipstick and everyone is watching her. She leans synthetic but she knows it and owns it. Longevity is thru the rough lasts for ... MoreShe’s a complex one this Intense Cafe! Buckle up and read on sweet reader she wants your attention. To start with this is one of my most complimented on fragrances. It’s starts out STRONG with a jammy like rose mixed with a sweet latte. She is sweet she is loud, she is a brat, but a loveable one. The closest mainstream comparison in my eyes would be Black Opium by YSL. If you know that fragrance start there then turn the dial up to a 10 on the floral notes keep the coffee note dialed down by 2 or so and let the base line of vanilla ride. Intense cafe belts out like an 80s video. Flashing herself in neon colors probally wearing frosted lipstick and everyone is watching her. She leans synthetic but she knows it and owns it. Longevity is thru the rough lasts for hooouuuuurs. When she gets tired 8-9 hours or more she is a whisper of over endulgance and still puurrrs with vanilla and a slight coffee vibe. She does last that long if not longer…..I love her but I use her sparingly. She’s an attention I’m there for that vibe now and then. She is vampy she’s a bit trampy but she is who she is….I’d imagine Elvira rocking this. Sweet yet a bit twisted

If you love niche perfumes or love the scent of coffee, Montale's Intense Cafe delivers a serious punch to the senses! Has impeccable longevity projection. You will smell it one your skin until you wash. This scent makes you feel like you're inside a sophisticated cafe. This is unisex, it works for both. This scent is warm, cozy, calming, yet it also invokes excitement. With notes of Rose, coffee, Vanilla, Musk that stand out deliver throughout its entire performance. This is definitely a coffee/rose lovers fragrance, man or woman. Great for layering as well

Great smelling Parfum

I purchased this for Father’s Day as a gift to my husband. When I first smelled it at the counter I knew it was a winner. My husband loves it as well, it really has to catch his attention before he’ll even wear it. This was a hit, it goes on a little strong, but it dries up very nice and light, leaving a very pleasant scent. He sprayed this morning when he went to work and when I got up to get ready for work the scent was still lingering in the air. It’s unisex so I use it as well, but it smells better on him because his body chemistry will go good with anything he wears, me not so much. You can literally smell all the ingredients in this, especially the white musk. Buy this, you won’t be disappointed.