
Montana Parfum de Peau, originally released as Montana in 1986, is a perfume composed of powerful, animalic, and leathery notes. The scent was created by Jean Guichard and later reformulated by Edouard Fléchier. Over the years, the perfume has undergone changes, particularly in its top notes, but its base remains mostly the same. The original Montana perfume is described as having a complex blend of black currant, ginger, peppery accents, and orange. Some customers have expressed disappointment with newer versions of the fragrance, claiming that it does not come close to the original. However, others have praised the scent for its longevity and unique blend of notes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fragrance family | Chypre-Floral |
| Top notes | Mandarin Orange, Blackcurrant, Raspberry, Orange Blossom, Marigold, Green Note, Cassis, Pepper, Peach, Plum, Cardamom |
| Middle notes | Narcissus, Sandalwood, Ginger, Rose, Tuberose, Jasmine, Ylang-Yang, Carnation |
| Base notes | Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Castoreum, Musk, Frankincense, Olibanum |
| Season | Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Occasion | Day, Night |
| Year of release | 1986 |
| Perfumer | Jean Guichard, Edouard Fléchier |
| Price | 1 oz Parfum ($250), 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Splash ($65), 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray ($45) |
| Customer reviews | "Best scent ever!", "Why are you wearing bug spray indoors?", "Smart and sexy", "Not an easy fragrance", "Suffocating", "Intimate and sensual", "Delicately balanced", Not overpowering, Classic, Timeless, Disappointed, Does not come close to the original fragrance |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Montana Parfum de Peau: the original
Montana Parfum de Peau, originally released as 'Montana', is a perfume by Claude Montana, a fashion trailblazer who unveiled the fragrance in the United States and select European locations. The perfume was first released in the autumn of 1986, with its name changing to Parfum de Peau by 1991. It has since been reformulated and tweaked, with some noting that it has changed, especially in its top notes, while the base has mostly remained the same.
The perfume is classified as a leathery Chypre-Floral fragrance for women, with top notes of mandarin orange, orange blossom, marigold, green note, cassis, blackcurrant, pepper, peach, plum, raspberry, cardamom, and ginger. The middle notes include narcissus, tuberose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose, carnation, and daffodil. The base notes consist of oakmoss, patchouli, castoreum, vetiver, ambrine, civet, musk, frankincense, olibanum, and sandalwood.
Montana Parfum de Peau is a distinctive, impressive, and personal fragrance, perfect for special occasions and evenings. It is a timeless and elegant scent, with a unique olfactory experience that reflects Montana's signature aesthetic of boldness, modernity, and chicness. The perfume is known for its good reach and persistence, with a strong sillage and longevity.
The perfume has received mixed reviews, with some describing it as "the best scent ever" and others comparing it to bug spray. It is a complex fragrance, described as sexy, assertive, dirty, and sultry, with a unique blend of notes that create a sophisticated and caressing scent. The bottle design is also notable, with its frosted glass, deep blue shade, and transparent acrylic casing, adding to the overall allure of the fragrance.
Montana Parfum de Peau is a memorable and beloved fragrance that has stood the test of time, with some long-time wearers expressing delight at rediscovering it after many years. It is a challenging scent that does not conform to conventional rules, reflecting Montana's vision for an intimate, sensual, and delicately balanced essence.
The Best Places to Buy Victoria's Secret Body Perfumes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$55

Montana Parfum de Peau: reformulations
Montana Parfum de Peau, originally released as 'Montana' in 1986, was created by Jean Guichard. The perfume was later reformulated in the 1990s by Edouard Fléchier, and it has likely been tweaked several times since.
Montana Parfum de Peau is characterised by its strong accords and bold, modern, and effortlessly chic packaging. The fragrance belongs to the Chypre-Floral fragrance family, known for its harmonious blend of fruity, floral, and woody notes. It is a complex blend of top notes, including mandarin orange, blackcurrant, and peach; middle notes of rose, jasmine, and tuberose; and base notes of patchouli, amber, and sandalwood.
While the perfume has undergone reformulations, some reviewers have noted that the base notes have remained mostly the same. However, some have also mentioned that the top notes have changed, and it is now more sultry than the original, which was slightly more feminine. The newer version is also said to lack the smoky, leathery scent of the original, with some describing it as having a fruity note that is off-putting.
Despite the reformulations, Montana Parfum de Peau remains a beloved fragrance, with some considering it a masterpiece of the 1980s. It has achieved cult status and is known for its strong accords and stunning bottles, transforming fashion designer Claude Montana into a landmark in the world of perfumery. The brand continues to release new editions, such as the Montana Graphite Oud Edition, which showcases the brand's ability to keep up with trends while maintaining the heart of its DNA.
Demeter Perfume: Where to Buy the Best Scents
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Montana: the brand
Montana Parfums is a France-based perfume house that launched its first fragrance, Parfum de Peau, in 1986. Composed of powerful, animalic, and leathery notes, Parfum de Peau was originally known as Montana. The name was changed to Parfum de Peau by 1991, and the fragrance was reformulated in the 1990s. Its unique blend of notes includes peach, cassis, plum, pepper, cardamom, ginger, rose, tuberose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, carnation, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, civet, castoreum, amber, musk, and frankincense.
The brand's founder, Claude Montana, envisioned a fragrance that was intimate and sensual, yet delicately balanced, rejecting overpowering notes in favour of nuanced allure. This vision is reflected in the elegant packaging of Montana perfumes, featuring frosted glass adorned with ridged spirals, encased in transparent acrylic with bold shades of blue.
Over the years, Montana Parfums has expanded its collection to include fragrances for both women and men. In 1989, the brand introduced its first men's fragrance, Parfum d'Homme, a spicy and leathery scent with notes of cinnamon, lavender, mandarin orange, and pine. This was followed by the launch of Parfum d'Elle in 1990, a women's fragrance with chypre and fruity notes. The brand continued to innovate, releasing floral perfumes like Suggestion Eau d'Or and Suggestion Eau d'Argent in 1994, and the sweet and unique Just Me in 1998, with dominant notes of pineapple, honey, and chocolate.
Montana's perfume collections showcase a range of olfactory experiences, from floral and oriental scents to woody and balmy notes. The Montana Mood Collection, launched in 2006, offered three distinct fragrances: Sensual (floral), Sexy (chypre-floral), and Soft (oriental-floral). This was followed by Parfum de Femme in 2007, an oriental-floral perfume with apple notes, and Montana en Turquoise in 2008, a floral-aquatic beach scent. The brand also released Montana 80 in 2010, a floral-oriental fragrance with retro notes of milk, woods, and tuberose.
Montana Parfums has gained a dedicated following, with customers praising the longevity and uniqueness of their fragrances. The brand's perfumes have been described as classic, timeless, and distinctive, evoking memories and transporting wearers back in time. The brand's ability to create long-lasting and memorable scents has earned them a reputation for quality and elegance in the fragrance industry.
Gardenia Perfume: Where to Buy the Best Scents
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Montana: the scent
Montana by Montana, also known as Parfum de Peau, was first released in 1986. It was created by Jean Guichard, and later reformulated by Edouard Fléchier in the 1990s. The perfume has top notes of mandarin orange, blackcurrant, peach, plum, pepper, cardamom, and ginger; middle notes of rose, jasmine, tuberose, ylang-ylang, narcissus, carnation, and sandalwood; and base notes of patchouli, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, vetiver, civet, castoreum, musk, and frankincense.
Montana is classified as a leathery chypre fragrance for women, with a complex blend of fruity, floral, and woody notes. It is described as intimate and sensual, with a nuanced allure that is not overpowering. The perfume is said to be long-lasting, with good projection, and is suitable for both day and night wear.
Over the years, there have been mixed reviews of Montana. Some people love the scent and have worn it for decades, receiving many compliments. They describe it as a unique, classic, and timeless fragrance. However, others have been disappointed, feeling that it does not live up to the original scent and finding it too strong or overpowering.
The original Montana perfume has become difficult to find in some countries, and there may be variations in the scent and colour of different batches. The brand has also released several other fragrances for men and women, including Parfum d'Homme, Parfum d'Elle, Montana Blue, and the Montana Mood Collection.
The High Cost of Perfumes: How Much Do They Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Montana: the bottle
The bottle design of Montana by Montana reflects the perfume's signature aesthetic: bold, modern, and effortlessly chic. The frosted glass, adorned with ridged spirals, creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. Wrapped in a deep shade of blue and encased in transparent acrylic, the bottle is a stylish accessory in itself.
Montana by Montana offers a unique olfactory experience, housed within an iconic vessel that celebrates the artistry of both perfume and design. The fragrance is offered in various sizes, including a 1 oz parfum, a 3.4 oz eau de toilette splash, and a 1.7 oz eau de toilette spray, catering to different preferences and needs.
The 1 oz parfum, with its luxurious and exclusive aura, originally retailed for $250. It is perfect for those who desire a concentrated and long-lasting scent. On the other hand, the 3.4 oz eau de toilette splash provides a generous supply of fragrance, making it ideal for those who want to envelop themselves in the refreshing scent. The 1.7 oz eau de toilette spray, originally priced at $45, offers convenience and versatility for everyday use.
The bottle of Montana by Montana is not just a container but a reflection of the brand's attention to detail and style. Its design, from the mesmerizing glass to the bold shade of blue, showcases the brand's modern and chic aesthetic. The bottle has become an iconic symbol, recognized by many even after the perfume's disappearance from the market for a period.
The unique and memorable bottle design has also contributed to the overall allure of the fragrance. The combination of style and scent has created a lasting impression on those who have worn it, with some recalling fond memories associated with the perfume and their satisfaction with the scent. The bottle's aesthetic has played a role in the overall experience and enjoyment of the fragrance.
Find Love's Fresh Lemon Perfume: Where to Buy?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Montana Parfum de Peau, originally released as Montana in 1986, has since been reformulated. While the base is mostly the same, the top notes have changed.
The original Montana perfume is a leathery chypre fragrance with top notes of orange blossom, marigold, green notes, cassis, pepper, peach, plum, and cardamom. The middle notes are narcissus, sandalwood, ginger, rose, tuberose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and carnation. The base notes are oakmoss, patchouli, castoreum, vetiver, ambreine, civet, musk, frankincense, and olibanum.
The original Montana perfume is now known as Parfum de Peau.
Yes, Parfum de Peau is still in production and is available online.
Some people believe that the new version of Montana perfume does not smell like the original. However, others seem to believe that it has the same base but different top notes.











































