Sandflowers
Montale (2009)

Sandflowers by Montale (2009) doesn't compare to much, and that includes Montale's own extensive catalog, which is good. One tangential connection is Aqua Motu by Comptoir Sud Pacifique (1993), according to people around the cognoscenti. but it is tangential at best. There is of course, never a zero-percent chance this wasn't inspired by something else that came before it, but so it goes. Overall, this fragrance is a love letter to the ocean, and has very little that could be seen as flowery, soapy, or fruity; all things that are considered hallmarks of the conventional aquatic scent. I am thrown by this one, but I do like it. The least-Montale of all the Montale fragrances I have tried to date, including the ones that dupe popular fragrances at higher concentrations.

Sandflowers is very light for a Montale, which should translate as being normal for just about every other brand out there. The top notes feel a bit ozonic, salty, with hints of muguet, juniper, and something that reminds me of quinine. I'm getting a licorice-like note too that could be anise or anisic alcohol. Overall, the ozonic ocean waves, seaweed and "sand" are communicated by these materials, some mineralic synthetics, and based out with sandalwood, plus a bit of oakmoss. So many materials restricted or banned now in this stuff, I doubt poor Sandflowers sells outside the US and the UAE (besides gray markets), or anywhere the EU's SCCS holds as the rule of law. Performance is in the sustain with this one, not the projection. Don't overspray to compensate or you will be in a world of pain here. I think Comptoir Sud Pacifique and Kenzo are probably source inspirations here, but only in the vaguest.

That said, you shouldn't see this as some divine act of perfume nobility with "the right proper materials" like a lot of these self-congratulating morons that replace science with superstition in these matters, as it is still a fragrance designed to smell like the sea, and that is what it does. Considering the proximity of Dubai to the ocean, and this being released in 2009 (only about 5 years after the brand launched and before they really blew up internationally), I can see the target audience being more local, than the usual terminally-online fragheads that only pretend their perfumes garner compliments because they don't actually go outside. If your vested interest in Montale comes from the wide and quality selection of various oud perfumes, this one is to be avoided, but lovers of "true" aquatic fragrances take note. Thumbs up

It's definitely unexpected - judging the sample by the name, I did not expect an aquatic scent, and I didn't expect an aquatic scent that does not cloy me! So it's kinda spa-like, calming scent. And at the same time kind of boring - not in a bad way, but it's just a nice aquatic-fruity-floral scent in the end.
Check it if you're seeking a calming spa-like fragrance. (You can also check Thalasso Therapy by Tesori d'Oriente that nails this watery, calming spa-like scent idea at a mega affordable price and also does not smell boring. Thank me later)

Thankfully this smells nothing at all like Womanity to my nose. Whereas Womanity has a sense of being 'wet' (over-ripe juicy figs, milky fig sap, salt water and caviar), Sandflowers to my nose has a sense of being 'dry'. That is, I pick up a sense of ocean salt air, dry sun-warmed sand, and dry woods.
There is a sort of fruitiness about it, but I'm guessing this comes from the juniper berries and I don't find it too sweet at all (unlike Womanity's over-ripe sweetness).
I've never smelt Aqua Motu so I'm unable to compare its likeness. I actually find Sandflowers a little similar to 4711's Acqua Colonia Intense Sunny Seaside of Zanzibar. While they don't share many notes at all, I do get a sense of watermelon from the Montale that doesn't seem to be reflected in its notes.
It's definitely 'beachy', but not at all like sunscreen or tanning oil that I would usually associate with a beach type smell.
I've been exploring more and more of Montale's creations and each time (so far) I have been very pleasantly surprised. As others have said it's not very 'Montale' like, but I do seem to get good performance from this.

An ethereal sketch of sand, sun, and air Out of the bottle, it's airy, warm sand smell is lovely. But hitting my skin, it goes floral-sweet. That note seems out of place. It's really a sketch fragrance, and a rapidly dissolving one at that. That can have an appeal, for fans of light perfumes. I wish it were dryer. I bolstered it with Frankincense rivae EO on one arm and Aveda Australian Sandalwood on the other. The sandalwood oil completely blanketed the scent of Sandflowers, but the latter boosted the strength and longevity of the former. The frankincense aired it out, and gave it a hot, resinous top note. Like resin in the sun. Might make a great layering scent, but still not fond of the clunker of a flower note.Pros: Pleasant, non-intrusiveCons: Fleeting, sweet flower note unwelcome

Wonderful "Down at the Beach" fragrance. Salty Aquatic Marine scent. dry down is a bit floral also. Somehow doesn't seem Montale, except for the great projection and longevity

Smells like warm, clean beach sand. It's certainly interesting because there aren't the usual cocunuts and ozonic notes in Sandflowers ( but i was hoping for sandalwood). It's not something I'd actually wear as a perfume though...