Montale Be My Plum Review

Montale Be My Plum by Olya Bar

As a longtime admirer of Montale, I’ve had the privilege of watching the house evolve in real time. If you’ve followed Montale long enough, you likely remember the era of its unmistakable “Aouds” which were raw, quite new at the time of their release dates and often nuclear in their projection. The spelling alone felt like a statement, and the compositions matched that energy.

In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable shift.

The intensity has softened, the compositions have become more nuanced, and even the iconic aluminum bottles have taken on a lighter, pastel-toned aesthetic that feels decidedly more current. This evolution doesn’t feel accidental. As Montale has expanded its reach, including its recent entrance into Sephora in the US, the audience has broadened. The brand is no longer speaking solely to the niche collector, but also to a new generation of fragrance lovers transitioning from designer into a more accessible niche space. And with that shift, the olfactive direction has followed.

Pastel Mood via Pexels by Mo Eid.

While fragrances like Black Aoud and Roses Musk defined the house for years, today it’s scents like Bubble Forever, Lucky Candy and now Be My Plum that are leading the conversation, all playful in nature, addictive, and undeniably more approachable.

Which brings me to Be My Plum, a fragrance I have worn relentlessly since receiving it, with no sign of slowing down. As someone deeply attached to Montale’s earlier work, I find it surprisingly easy to hold space for both eras. There is something compelling about this new, more flirtatious side of the brand, one that leans into its pastel color, fluffy take on oud, floral texture, and a certain edible sensuality without losing its identity.

Montale Be My Plum by the brand.

Montale Be My Plum opens with a succulent green plum accented by a flicker of pink pepper, bright, juicy, and immediately inviting. But it’s in the heart where the fragrance truly comes alive. Indian tuberose, tiare, ylang-ylang, and plum blossom create a lush, almost velvety floral core that feels both radiant and slightly decadent.

The dry down is where the sweet indulgence deepens. Cashmere musk, coconut, and vanilla sugar wrap the composition in a soft, powdery, creamy warmth. The coconut, in particular, is prominent on my skin but interestingly, it never veers into overt tropical territory. Instead, it reads as smooth, skin-like, and quietly seductive.

Be My Plum feels like a shift not just in style, but in mood. It’s sensual without being heavy, feminine without being predictable, and indulgent without losing balance. I find myself reaching for it in moments that call for something a little more personal, and as the summer season slowly approaches (very slowly in the Northeast) I look forward to wearing it in the warm breezy evenings, dining al fresco, on a date night that lingers longer than expected.

Montale Be My Plum by Olya Bar

Montale may have softened its edges, but in doing so, it has opened the door to a different kind of allure and a whole new target market. And Be My Plum is in my opinion one of its most irresistible launches yet.

Notes: Green Plum, Pink Pepper, Cambodian Oud; Indian Tuberose, Tiare, Ylang Ylang, Plum Blossom; Cashmere Musk, Coconut, Vanilla Sugar.

Twisted Lily gifted me the bottle of Montale Paris Be My Plum where I am the Head of Marketing Strategy & Communications, but opinions are always my own.

Olya Bar, Editor.

What do you think about Montale’s new direction?

Read Olya’s review of Montale Dark Vanilla here and Bubble Forever here. Check out Steven’s review of Blue Matcha here.

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