Montabaco Intensivo
Ormonde Jayne (2013)

Ormonde Jayne is a house that often gets overlooked, why I don't know. OJ is my absolute sweet spot, many of their fragrances have an airy, etheral quality which I adore. I don't want to get punched in the face with my fragrance with every breath for hours on end, enter Ormonde Jayne

Montabaco Intensivo may be in my top three scents and I've owned/sampled easily hundreds. Signature worthy? check. Roll out of bed on a saturday morning to lounge all day? check. Office safe? Check. Special occasion? check. It is absolutely wearable 365 days a year and is a gorgeous departure from the heavy handed sweet tobacco's that smell like they all grew on the same tree.

This creation is largely a linear scent which is totally fine with me, I don't need memories evoked or to be taken on a journey, I just want to smell good. On my skin the notes largely work in unison and nothing dominates in particular, the 'fresh' tobacco is ever present - but tamed by other notes, with almost a minty quality, it's not medicinal by any stretch. I don't know how else to describe it. It's green without being herbacious, fresh is the only way I can describe it.

On my skin that eats the strongest for breakfast, it is noticable for a solid 10-12 hours. I can even discern it 16hrs later. Projects for a solid 2 hrs but is airy at the same time. I do not weigh the quality of a fragrance on compliments - I frankly don't care - but I will say this is a head turner. I've been stopped in my tracks and asked what I was wearing by more than one woman. 30+ or a confident 25yo.

I will say the Intensivo version is identical scent wise to the regular Montabaco, it just lasts longer. Many times when perfumers add strength, some notes disappear or shine more, not so with this. I used Montabaco for years, I just happened to get a great deal on the Intensivo.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up if I could

What I get is an airy bitter green note (supposedly green tobacco leaf?), supported by a noticeable juniper and a hint of cardamom. No heavy pipe tobacco or ashes or cigar here.
I have to admit that it's very well done, and niche quality. Unisex, leaning a bit masculine imo, but wearable by a woman with some personality. Projection on my skin is heavy in the first hour, than becomes moderate for another ~3/4 hours. Lasts for ~7/9 hours total.

Very nice blend, even if linear, and some evolution and a little more creativity would have been appreciated, especially at this price point. Monsillage Aviation Club does something similar for a third of the price (even if not identical at all). For me a great scent I love and would be full bottle worthy around $100. But it will be downgraded to just a like for me, as I have higher expectations at that price point.

Colder Spring/Fall days, 25+