RAMON MONEGAL MATADOR (LATEST RELEASE)

How beautiful Ramon Monegal Matador truly is! However, it wasn’t fully a love at first sight. Initially, the first time I tried it was hasty, in Cannes, layered with couple of other scents on my skin. Given my expectations from any leathery scent, I really wanted a rough textured leather, and what I had sensed is a lot of tropical fruitiness and musks, alongside softest suede.

That said, after wearing it for a while, in humid chilly temperatures of Netherlands, it became a wild delight for me! The fragrance transforms completely based on the climate. When it is hot, the fruity coconut-musk-passionfruit aura prevails. In anything below 15 degrees celcius, the beautiful velvety leatheriness shows its playful side. I don’t loose fruits on my skin, they just tame down making room for leather to exist on my skin.

Ramon Monegal Matador opens with sweet pear initially. Additionally, there’s a whole lot of dry coconut shavings that dominate the opening. Subsequently, creamy sandalwood joins in, smoothing coconut even further. Interestingly enough, the leathery aspect is very reminiscent of Goldfield and Banks Purple Suede. Of course they don’t smell alike on any other aspect than the soft suede. In fact, Matador is fruity scent first and can be a easy grab for every holiday. Either winter or summer, it shines well and collects compliments. Matador’s relationship with temperature is essential part of it being a great chameleon scent and one-stop-shop for people who simply want to smell good and don’t chase any fragraghead or perfume collector status.

In terms of performance it lasts an entire day. The classic DNA musk that Ramon uses in the collection is extending the longevity of the scent without making it smelling obnoxious.  SIllage is moderate to my nose, but my hubs can smell it from good distance outdoors so it trails well outdoors which is always a very nice thing to have. 

In the end, what started as a mild disappointment evolved into genuine affection. The right weather conditions make all the difference with this one for me. And yes, leathery side of it is my fave part, however I adore the fruity edge of it as well. So give it the environment it deserves, and it rewards you handsomely. I am a firm believer that any fragrance needs a proper testing in various circumstances to reveal its true character.