Bengal Oud

Bengal Oud from the French house Montale, released in 2019, is a woody oud softened with flowers. Wood is what everyone notices; most also find it floral, a smaller group pick up citrus, and a minority mention musk, amber and leather.

Unusually, agarwood sits right in the opening alongside bergamot and bitter orange, so the dark, resinous wood is there from the first moment, lifted by citrus. The heart is a rich floral blend of Egyptian jasmine, Bulgarian rose and iris, warm and powdery, with leather and patchouli adding darkness and earth. The base of amber, Haitian vetiver, cedar, sandalwood and white musk is warm, smoky and smooth, settling the oud into something more polished.

It is worn by anyone and suits the evening and cooler weather, for someone who wants a recognisable oud made approachable by rose and jasmine.

Bengal Oud — unisex fragrance by Montale (released 2019). Top notes: Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Agarwood (Oud). Heart notes: Leather, Bulgarian Rose, Iris, Patchouli, Egyptian Jasmine. Base notes: Haitian Vetiver, White Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar, Amber. — Parfica open fragrance database