Niche Sample Haul - First Impressions

From now on, I will write down my first impressions instead of shooting videos and put them on YouTube. Lately, I got the impression I smelled almost everything I wanted to in the designer game..I also feel like I own a lot of the bottles I feel are bottle worthy (Of course not everything, but I feel I'm ok at this point). I am much more into niche perfumery, not because I think they are all better, but there's a large amount of perfumes to smell that I haven't discovered yet. This post is dedicated to my first impressions on new scents I come across.

Samples from Ogilvy Montreal [I was served by Anna Costelli, really helpful and generous SA who offered me these samples]

Acqua di Parma - Colonia Intensa Oud : I was blown away from the first sniff...a nice citrusy opening with hints of oud giving it a very beautiful dark aroma. Later in the scent, leather kicks in mixing with the oud note, making it smell almost creamy like. It's not a medicinal type of oud, but a very gentle and well blended instead. At first I was concerned with the longevity since it's an Eau De Cologne Concentree, but I think it has the same amount of perfume oils as an EdP, which might explain its performance (over 8 hours on first wearing). This fragrance was launched in 2012 and it's probably my new favorite Oud based fragrance. 

Serge Lutens - Santal Majuscule : I was curious to sample this one...Santal Majuscule is a very "liquorish" take on sandalwood. At first sniff, it really reminded me of a rose based fragrance that I cannot remember the name, but it is very sweet, cloying [not in a bad way] and liquorish.The rose in it is more of a Turkish Delight type of smell. The overall impression is "similar" to Red Aoud by Montale for some reason that I still need to find out in my next wearings...This is not a conclusion. 

Ramon Monegal - Agar Musk : This house was totally new to me. I was surprised by the beautiful presentation of their bottles...very unique. This house was founded in 2007 if I'm not wrong and it's located in Barcelona, Spain. I've always been interested in niche perfumery coming from other places than France.
Agar Musk in an aromatic woody spicy scent to me...The big players in this fragrance are definitely the oud, nutmeg and amber. I am looking forward for my first full wearing with this one.

Ramon Monegal - Dry Wood : Love at first sniff....Unlike the name of the fragrance, this one is anything but dry. It's green at the top, a little spicy and more green...I also detect some cedar and maybe sandalwood but they are in the back as of now. Again, this is just a first impression, I am looking forward to test these 2 fragrances...Very promising house. Let's see if they are worth the kind of money that they're asking for!