Oud Tobacco opens with a bold, slightly tart burst—citrus and cumin meet a prominent sumac that brings a lemony, almost bubblegum-like quality. There's an immediate sweetness here too, not delicate bu...
**Performance is exceptional and economical**: Longevity and sillage are consistently praised as best-in-class, with a single spray lasting all day and projecting noticeably without needing reapplication, making the price-per-wear exceptional despite the higher bottle cost.
**Polarizing sweetness and opening**: The fragrance divides opinion on its first spray—some find the cumin, sumac, and tonka combination hypnotic and sophisticated, while others find the bright, tart, almost bubblegum-like opening too bold or the overall sweetness cloying, describing it as "like an old man who smokes too much."
**Cold-weather and evening specialist**: Enthusiasts consistently recommend it for fall, winter, and nighttime occasions; it's too potent and assertive for daily wear or warm weather, where lighter application is necessary to avoid overwhelming a space.
**Distinct from what the name promises**: Expectations often clash with reality—buyers anticipate a smoky, burnt, funky tobacco but receive a creamy, sweet-fruity oud with fresher tobacco notes instead, which either delights or disappoints depending on what you were seeking.
**Often compared to Tom Ford Tobacco Oud**: The community notes Montale's version as fresher and less smoky than Tom Ford's offering, with more prominent citrus and sumac brightness rather than burnt or ashy notes, though both share that tobacco-oud DNA.
