RIC was so synthetic smelling that it took over 7 days after spraying on an envelope for the fragrance to settle down into something I could appreciate. I also worried that it projected too much or had lots of sillage because it kept wafting to my nose. A pity because that initial blast of roasted coffee beans is quite realistic and of course the mid and base, not so much.

To this end, we may share information from analytics cookies with our advertising, social network and analytics partners. Excellent projection and longevity that one would expect from Montale fragrances and I'm a huge fan of the Montale and Mancera houses. I'm pretty convinced it's a drug precursor of some sort, the way some aromachemicals are, hence the effect they can have.It softens a bit quicker than I'd like (losing the literal, bold coffee flavor) into a more subtle woodsy/rosy/amber scent that is similar to its sister scent--Intense Cafe. On my skin, the original smells quite cloyingly strong and it can be nauseating sometimes, but that effect is highly reduced in this Ristretto flanker.

With this fragrance I feel that you can really pick out each note without question and it is really well-rounded. Ristretto opens up with a blast of dry and bitter coffee beans mixed with an opulent rose in the first couple of minutes. Small Aromas is in no way affiliated with, or working in any form of partnership with the brand owner, Montale. Yes, it has more coffee, so it's definitely worth a try if you can't pick up the coffee note in the regular version, but that doesn't make it warmer or more gourmand.I'm an avid 2-4 cups a day coffee drinker and the smell of fresh ground coffee or a fresh espresso is one of my favorite things in the world, so you'd think I'd be able to detect it. This starts out as a mouthwatering, delicious caramel latte, mixed with the wine-like, tangy rose that is found in many Montale fragrances. I am one who dallies in depth and strength, so anything that gives me an extra oomph of intensity I love. I honestly do not experience the wood, musk, and amber until it becomes a skin scent (1 year later, lol).

Delina by PDM made me very cautious when it comes to rose-dominated fragrances as I find it to be far too sour and sharp in that one, but it is done perfectly in this one.

I have an old decant of Intense cafe (another one that didn't go bad even after almost 8 years) and one spray fills the room.