Wood Sequence

Wood Sequence opens with saffron and clove over a smooth, metallic oud lifted by a touch of elemi - the spiced, leathery start that defines Montale's Aoud Melody. A floral heart of jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose follows, lending the seductive 'gold dust and white flowers' character the original is known for, before a base of musk, amber and leather warms it down. Against the Montale original the dupe reads flatter and a little less refined: the smooth, polished oud and the delicate floral shimmer are simplified, and the moderate longevity is trimmed further. It wears as a sensual oud-floral built for cool weather, evenings and dressier occasions - smoother and more approachable than the harsher Montale ouds. Projection is modest and longevity skin-close after the opening hours, the usual budget trade. As a smell-alike it captures the leathery oud-and-flowers melody while losing some of the polish and tenacity.