Montale Aoud Ever Eau de Parfum

Montale Aoud Ever Eau de Parfum is a citrus-forward take on the house's signature oud theme, launched in 2012 as part of the wider Aoud collection. Instead of leading with heavy resin, it opens bright and slightly sharp before settling into a familiar Montale woody base.

What does Aoud Ever smell like?

The opening combines oud with citron, bergamot and mandarin, giving a fresh, slightly tart start that's unusual for an oud fragrance. As it develops, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli and black pepper build a dry, spiced woody heart. The base brings it back into classic Montale territory with leather, ambergris and tonka bean, adding warmth and a touch of sweetness to the dry-down.

• Top notes: Oud, citron, bergamot, mandarin
• Heart notes: Vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, black pepper
• Base notes: Leather, ambergris, tonka bean

Performance and when to wear it

Aoud Ever is typically moderate to long-lasting on skin, with the citrus fading within the first hour and the woody, leathery base carrying through the rest of the day. It's versatile enough for daytime wear thanks to the fresh opening, while the tonka and ambergris base give it enough depth for evenings too.

Who is it for?

This suits anyone who likes the idea of an oud fragrance but finds the heaviest versions overwhelming. The citrus opening makes it a reasonable entry point into Montale's Aoud range for those new to the house, while still delivering the woody depth regular Montale wearers expect.