Hey there Posse Peeps. Digging around my Surrender To Chance decants I found an old, half full Patchouli Leaves by Montale. They are out of stock currently though. Now I know a lot of you Poo Poo the Montale house but it has its place and some of their offerings are fabulous. Patchouli Leaves turned 20 years old in 2026! Something still available from the site 20 years later from a niche house is not very common. Even less so with a house like Montale that seems to release and DC within weeks. So if you like a patch fragrance then read on.
Patchouli Leaves by Montale 2006
Montale gives these featured accords:
Top: Patchouli Leaves
Top: Patchouli Leaves
Heart: Vanilla, Grey Amber
Base: White Musk, Cistus
Opening is that dirty, hairy, freaked out hippy zombie patchouli. We are in the 1970s at a bong shop in Amsterdam and everyone REEKS of patchouli oil. This is a full on patchouli experience.
Once that initial patchouli madness takes a calming doobie the sweetness of amber comes through with the lightest touch of salty air and the darkness of feral labdanum. Such a fun fragrance, unashamed and flamboyantly patch heavy. If the modern scents that purport to be patchouli give you the grits and you have spent the last decade wishing someone would cut the artsy fartsy crap and just give you a punch in the patchouli face. This is it.
I cannot imagine leaving the house smelling like this. It might scare the general public. So wonderful though, maybe I will.
I’ve written about Montale Aoud Amber Rose and Soleil de Capri here on the Posse.
Are you a Montale fan? A patchouli fan?
Portia xx
Portia xx
This is interesting too!
Holiday Yikes! Too: I'm Lazy and Violet Ida
Well, I am going to ste...
Mandarine by L'Artisan Parfumeur
Hey there Posse! Launch y...
Coming through the hurriquake with Neil Morris
Well, I don't know what...
Mums Orange Salad
Hey Posse. Ages ago I was...
Ghosts Of Tiffany's: Trigère by Pauline Trigère
Last week we covered the ...
The last time I paid attention to Montale was when I tried Greyland. That was when I was new to perfume and even then, I couldn’t find a whole lot of information on Greyland. Then other perfumes caught my attention.
Some of them are works of art and some are fairly crap Eldarwen22. You need a couple of hours in front of a full selection.
Portia xx
I am a Montale fan. They do DC things fast though. I am glad Patchouli leaves stayed around, even if Patch and I are not usually pals.
It surprises me when you don’t love patchouli Tom. I can so imagine you swanning around town in Coromandel.
Portia xx
Oh, Portia! Another funny, descriptive, rip roaringly wonderful review. I started wearing straight patchouli oil back in the 60s and adore it. Problem? Over the last 15 years, I’ve found my skin eats it. I mean, I can douse myself with the oil or a good, strong scent like this Montale, and within a half hour, it’s like I’ve applied tap water. I’m not anosmic to it. It just vanishes on me. No ‘punch in the face’-alas. I’ve taken to scenting my socks, scarves, underclothing and bed linens with it. At least it lasts on fabric. Thanks for yet another review as only you can do!
YAY MzCrz, so glad to have tickled you.
That is a very sad patchouli story. Clearly not just your nose enjoys the experience, it’s a full body hunger. This is one of the very few times that I wish someone would get a punch in the face, fragrantly speaking ONLY.
Portia xx
I am definitely a patchouli fan. It almost ties for first place with the indolic flowers that I love so much. I sampled almost the Montale line when they first came out and only fell for Black Aoud. Feeling mischievous one day I had my non-perfumista daughter sniff my sample, expecting an “Ew ew” reaction from her. Nope, she loved it! It became a signature scent for her for several years. Light touch required.
WOW Maya! That is a fabulous story. You get an enabler pin.
Portia xx
I feel like a lot of Montale is A LOT. Full on, as you say. I had a bottle of Jasmin Full that was A LOT even for me, and I love some dirrrrrty jasmine. Fun fact patchouli oil is still popular here in Mud Hut among the hippies and I truly enjoy getting whiffs of it at yoga or the co-op, just not on me, all day.
Heya March,
Jasmin Full is Ah May Zing. I have a decant and am seriously thinking to take the plunge.
Yes, many of them are a full on confrontation, all day and then some.
One day I’ll come visit you and Roxana and smell the patchouli oil.
Portia xx
Not a big patch lover but I do have fond-ish memories of 70’s patch oil. It was still prevalent in the alternative/goth clubs in the early to mid 80s. All those second hand leather & suede jackets were impregnated with it.
I do own Patchouli by Reminiscence. It was a cheaply but a goody. Though I see my version has been d/ced & the current is now Le Patchouli.
Hi Alityke,
Yes, I think it was fairly ubiquitous for the teens in the 70s around here but no-one in my immediate vicinity. By the 80s everyone was wearing designer.
Portia x
I recall Montale really had a moment a while ago.
Patchouli does not love me any more. I can do it whispering in a dry down but not full on. This sounds like it might get you arrested in the somewhat conservative area where I live.
I wore SMN Patchouli for years a lifetime ago and loved it to bits. Not the sort of fragrance you describe here — more refined but still having that pony undercurrent. Sigh. Miss it.
Hey Cinnamon,
Only in the last couple of years have Montale been easily available here in Oz. So the excitement is still ripe.
This might scare the children where you are.
Portia xx
It’s more likely to frighten the over 60s who still vote conservative
Plenty of those Tories wore patch oil & weren’t afraid of a spliff or two. Some will still be having weekend marching parties. Typical Tories
Good morning Honey. As you know I love patchouli. A summer scent for me. Needs the heat. Not tried this …… but have some great patchouli rich scents. Good to layer …….
Heya Val,
You, Scotty and Margeaux spring to mind whenever I smell patchouli. It’s a super happy scent association.
Portia xx