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Post by Portia

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Hey there Fragrant Friends,

Ramon Monegal’s line needs little selling for me. His general fragrant aesthetic works very well for me. The bottles are incredibly gorgeous to look at and hefty, the ink well design making them look both ultra modern and vintage. Though they are not the easiest to spritz yourself with but never mind when something looks this good we can work around the problems.

When Ramon Monegal first came to the world’s attention they arrived having already been a famous Spanish elite fragrance house for years. Which meant that they already had a huge back catalogue that they put on the market all at once. So much gets missed when this happens and is part of the problem with insta-lines, one huge rush of publicity and then nothing. I tried them all in passing and talked about the couple that took my attention at the start but the whole line seemed incredibly daunting. Already I have Impossible Iris and Dubai Next To Me in my collection and wish for Umbra, Ambre de Luna and Lovely Day.

Found this sample while trolling through one of my sample bags and it’s been getting a bit of skin time around here. Before it runs dry I thought I could share my enjoyment with you….

Mon Patchouly by Ramon Monegal 2009

Fragrantica

Ramon Monegal gives these featured accords:
Indonesian patchouli, Yugoslavian oak moss absolute, Somalian frankincense, geranium bourbon, Egyptian jasmine absolute, amber

Mon Patchouli opens with a cool, wet, lightly spicy geranium and sheer patchouli. It’s cool and refined speaking of elegant restaurants rather than the earthy beatnik and headshot. My first thought is that Ramon Monegal has created a sci-fi, 21st century patchouli. There are still soft remnants of when patchouli was the preferred oil of hippies but in an almost aquatic vein. It’s like smelling the joyful freshness of petrichor and someone walking by under their umbrella wearing a modern rose/patchouli fragrance.

As Mon Patchouli warms into my skin it becomes more earthy and is warmed by the amber, but it never really heats up because the cool incense, now rosy geranium and jasmines keep it aloof and restrained. I’m not really a patchouli soliflor wearer, it seems that my choices almost always have it as a backing note. My only real comparisons are DIOR’s Patchouli Imperial and patchouli oil, both of which are so much more intense and challenging than Mon Patchouli. Here the fragrance is muted and the house I think it smells like Mon Patchouli’s from is CHANEL. It could easily sit in line with the Les Exclusif range, the blending feels plush and even with no sharp or spiky extraneous additions.

Ramon Monegal

Mon Patchouli remains pretty linear from the heart onwards adding only a slight furriness. Not a huge perfume but you will be noticeable because it is so unlike what is currently being worn by the masses. Longevity is excellent and projection moderate to low.

From LuckyScent: Mon Patchouly perfectly represents the free-spirited essence of exotic patchouli, the ultimate emblem of “Flower Power.” Blended with vanilla, nutmeg, and amber, this archetypal scent puts down its daisy chain and picks up a different white flower – one that’s far more serious and sensual. This gorgeous jasmine note creates a beautiful balance with the earthy patchouli and amber – a stunning contrast that keeps it very unique and definitely grown-up. Mon Patchouly is a statement of identity. Pure Ibiza in its Mediterranean freshness and singularity.

Further reading: Non Blonde and Scented Hound
LuckyScent has $185/50ml + Samples
First In Fragrance has €145/50ml + Samples

Do you have a favourite Ramon Monegal fragrance? Or a fave Patchouli I should try?
Portia xx