Tea and Coffee

Tea and coffee are two of my favorite notes. Today I have comparisons between bdk's Gris Charnel EDP vs Extrait, and Montale's Intense Cafe EDP vs Ristretto Intense Cafe.

Gris Charnel - Opened up sharp - really spicy and woody, and I didn't like it initially. It reminded me a lot of Kilian's Black Phantom. Luckily, the drydown is much nicer to me. It's very classy and elegant. I get the sweetness from the fig and tea (a rich sweetness, like a fruity sweet tea), powdery iris, and the spices and creamy sandalwood that are now toned down enough to no longer be overpowering. On the dry down this is more spiced tea. Very lovely and would be great for fall and winter. 9/10 scent with good projection and excellent performance.

Gris Charnel Extrait - Similar opening to the EDP, but dries down woodier, much less sweet, with more iris that leans a bit savory/carrot-like on my skin. Mostly creamy spiced iris on the drydown. I think I prefer the OG personally but it's hard to tell. 9/10 scent with good projection and excellent performance.

Montale Intense Cafe - Sweet coffee, a healthy dose of rose, lots of creamy vanilla. The rose brings a bit of tartness that reads strawberry on my skin. The overall effect is a dark chocolate covered strawberry with a cup of milky coffee. It's a very sweet, gourmand, delicious perfume. I love it! Beast mode projection and lasting power as well. I'd choose this one if you're a gourmand lover that wants to smell like candy. Better blended than Ristretto imo. 9/10

Montale Ristretto Intense Cafe - a lot more coffee/dark chocolate, a lot less strawberry, and a more subdued, floral rose. More bitter and dark, less sweet and tart (though still quite sweet). Similar to the EDP, just with a different balance of notes - it's more serious (the older sister, if you will), but just as delicious. 8.5/10 scent with beast mode projection and performance. I'd pick this one if you want more of the roasted coffee note vs the chocolate covered strawberry.