Black Aoud Intense

Black Aoud Intense by Montale delivers an aggressively bold, opulent scent dominated by a sweet, dark rose and dense oud base. It projects powerfully and persistently, with enormous sillage that can fill a room even with just one spray. The fragrance is intensely animalic, woody, and floral, featuring prominent rose notes layered over a rich, musky oud, with subtle hints of patchouli and mandarin. While some users find the rose overwhelmingly dominant, others highlight a deeper, more complex evolution—especially in the dry down—where the oud and animalic undertones combine with a powdery, syrupy quality, giving it a precious, almost sacred character. Despite being billed as an 'Intense' version, it is not significantly more long-lasting than the original Black Aoud, though its projection is exceptionally loud and lingering. It’s best suited for nighttime, colder weather, and formal or dramatic occasions. The perfume is overwhelmingly unisex in appeal but leans feminine due to the strong rose presence. It is not gentle, nor discreet—its presence demands attention, making most indoor public settings unsuitable. Some reviewers appreciate it as a refined, powerful fantasy scent with a unique identity, likening it to Mancera Black Prestigium or Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Oud Satin Mood. Others feel it lacks originality, offering a denser, slightly more feminine variation of the original without meaningful improvements in longevity or concentration.