Here is another review from my latest batch of fragrance samples, that I received recently. Today’s cologne is Individuel by Mont Blanc. As always, I want to take a closer look and see what makes up this fragrance, how it smells, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase. Please continue below for my full take on Individuel for men.
What Does Mont Blanc Individuel Smell Like?
Notes include: Cinnamon, oakmoss, vanilla, mint, bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, violet, and more
Click here to try: MONTBLANC Individuel Eau de Toilette, 2.5 fl. oz.
My Full Wear Review
The first thing that I am immediately struck by with Individuel is it similarity to a couple other fragrances. It is quite close to Original Santal by Creed and shares a common foundation with Joop!
Of course when you take a look at the composition of each scent, it becomes clear what they share in common. Namely, cinnamon, vanilla, and sandalwood.
Each of these fragrances are along the same spectrum and Individuel is much closer to Santal than it is Joop!, which is much bolder and spicier.
The main difference with Individuel versus the Creed fragrance is the citrus notes, which are prevalent in the Mont Blanc cologne. The bergamot, raspberry, and juniper notes in Individuel give it a slightly fruity aroma which distinguishes it, in my opinion.
Original Santal has really grown on me and while I still think it’s better than this one, Individuel, is close enough and it’s cheap enough to get a nod.
The opening act starts off with the juniper, raspeberry, bergamot, and pineapple. It has a fresh and sweet aroma, which is joined by calming lavender, and cinnamon spice. The cool freshness which permeates the start (juniper and mint) is played well, off of the warmer spiced notes (cinnamon and cardamom), and makes Individuel enjoyable.
As it dries down, this clean freshness, becomes woodier and creamier. The sweetness of the raspberry is paired with vanilla, on top of that sandalwood base.
It’s honestly not that complex and is pretty steady, as to what you get from this fragrance, thereafter. A sweet slightly woody scent, with a creaminess, which is dotted with cinnamon spice.
Sillage and Longevity
The projection is pretty good on this. It’s not overwhelming, but not weak either. It’ll create a scent bubble of around 3-5 feet from the skin. This Mont Blanc is not a beast, but it isn’t really intended to be so.
I also get moderate longevity, of about 6-8 hours, depending on the day. Individuel is a solid performer and more than useful, for most occasions. There are other fragrances from this brand that don’t hold up as well as this. So, it was somewhat surprising that this one did with the notes it has.
Versatility. When Should Individuel be Worn?
Individuel is a clean scent, that is useful for daily wear. Since it doesn’t have the heaviness of Joop!, Individuel, can venture into somewhat warmer temperatures, but still isn’t a summer cologne. This one can work well in casual situations or at the office/school.
While not a sexy fragrance, it is attractive enough to be worn in the evenings or on a date, as it does have a pleasant aroma. It is the type of scent, that will draw complements, but not really turn heads.
The scent isn’t offensive nor is it overpowering, which gives it plenty of flexibility as to when and where it can be used.
Overall Scent
Overall, I like this cologne. It’s warm, sweet, and has a bit of a candy-ish scent to it. Also, it’s a decent replacement for Santal and a good choice for those who feel that Joop! is too harsh of a fragrance.
The opening is very nice and has an interesting interplay between warm and cold. Then, the refined smoothness does have a nice similarity to the Creed fragrance, when the vanilla and sandalwood take over.
Is it my favorite Mont Blanc cologne? Probably not. However, for the price, I think it’d be a nice pickup for the late winter or early spring months. I don’t think that I’d pay full retail for Individuel, but at a discount, I wouldn’t be opposed to owning it.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
