If you are into sandalwood fragrances, the name Creed Original Santal and Montblanc Individuel comes first because of their popularity during the colder months.
So, picking one can be a bit tricky as they are pretty close in composition.
Here, my experience will help you as I own Original Santal, and recently, my friend bought Montblanc Individuel.
As a result, we compared our scents, and now I will describe the differences I have found during the process. So let’s get started.
Clash Of Scents: Creed Original Santal Vs Montblanc Individuel
Creed Original Santal
Main Notes: Juniper Berries, Coriander, Ginger, Rosemary, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Lavender, Orange Blossom, Geranium, Tonka Bean, Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss
With warm, spicy, sweet, and woody accords, Creed Original Santal came to the limelight in 2005. Erwin Creed, Olivier Creed, and Pierre Bourdon are the noses behind this amber woody scent.
Together, they created a complex formula that works best during the cold seasons. With 12 hours of longevity.
I use it quite often as I love its sweet, subtle, refreshing aura resulting from the blend of juicy fruits, herbs, and flowers in perfect harmony. And even with moderate sillage, I got many compliments.
Also, it projects well, so I don’t regret getting this amazing, expensive treat after my long-awaited promotion.
It brings a soft and welcoming tone, which is very comforting in the harshness of winter. In fall and cool spring, it works equally as well.
If you love this fantastic aroma and are on a budget, check out the colognes similar to Creed Original Santal to save some bucks.
Mont Blanc Individuel
Main Notes: Lavender, Cinnamon, Pineapple, Juniper Berries, Mint, Bergamot, Rosemary, Coriander, Orange Blossom, Geranium, Jasmine, Raspberry, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Dark Chocolate, Musk, Amber
When I heard my friend got Individuel by Montblanc, I knew I had to try it because it’s one of the closest dupes of Original Santal.
And I’m glad I did.
This amber woody cologne was launched in 2003, and the formulator is Pierre Bourdon. He mixed quite a number of ingredients and made this alluring scent.
From the beginning, I smelt the fresh green tone along with the sweetness of berries and flowers, which became more dense and mature towards the dry-down that lasted for 5 to 8 hours on my clothes.
And for office use, it’s clean, smooth aura is very suitable, along with it’s longevity. Additionally, its affordable price range is an added bonus.
I got the bitterness of dark chocolate for a longer time, though that didn’t happen with my friend. Let me know when you try it.
Anyway, there are several best-smelling MontBlanc colognes on the market. So, for a different touch, you can also try them.
Till now, you have got in-depth details about Creed Original Santal & Mont Blanc Individuel. Though they are similar, they have several differences, like pricing, longevity, projection, and others.
Let’s get into the differentiating factors, shall we?
Here is my detailed comparison between Montblanc Individuel and Creed Original Santal:
Opening
The opening of any scent is crucial as it’s the first aroma you feel after the first spray.
Original Santal opens with the enticing smell of citrusy oranges along with juniper berries, and slowly, the fizzy freshness of ginger mingles with the herbal minty flavor of rosemary and sweet-spicy coriander.
On the contrary, Individuel’s top smells fresh and clean due to the presence of lavender with sweet, warm cinnamon and juicy pineapple.
It also has a minty, tangy, and green aura to light up your mood. Now the question is, which opening is better?
Creed Original Santal is the winner when it comes to the opening, as it’s simple yet refreshing.
Projection And Longevity
When you are selecting a perfume, how long it will last and project after applying is important.
Mont Blanc’s Individuel lasts 6 to 8 hours after any reapplication. So if you are going out, you have to take it with you. And its sillage and projection are moderate. This means only those who are standing up to your arm’s length will get your scent.
Meanwhile, with Creed Original Santal, you are tension-free for 12 hours. And this long-lasting unisex fragrance also has good projection.
So, it’s clear that Original Santal is the winner in this sector.
Compliment Factor
If you want others to notice your presence, you should look at the compliment factors of your scent.
Original Santal comes with a balanced and clean composition, which is excellent for casual and office wear at the same time. And it lasts longer with good projection, so there is no way you will be unnoticed.
Every time I wear this unisex perfume, I turn heads.
And Individuel is also a nice-smelling cologne. It has a smooth, woody finish with a hint of freshness that takes you back to nature and will keep you occupied for 6 hours.
And people will praise your winter fragrance choice when they are in close contact with you.
But I think when it comes to the compliment factor, Creed Original Santal wins the race.
Versatility
Now, let’s see which of these scents is more adaptable.
You already know I use Original Santal, and it’s ideal for fall, winter, and spring daytime. I also wear it at night hangouts. When I love a perfume, I wear it whenever I feel like it. And this blends well in summer if appropriately used.
Moreover, it’s a unisex aroma, so my husband likes to wear it often. We are making our money worth.
In the case of Mont Blanc Individuel, it is also wearable during day and night whether it’s fall, spring, or cold winter. In the humidity of summer, it works fine.
So, in conclusion, it’s clear that Creed Original Santal is more versatile than Individuel by Montblanc.
Value For Money
I have discussed various features so far, and now it’s time to speak of the asking price of Individual and Original Santal.
Creed Original Santal offers four sizes. The price of a 50 ml flacon is $345, 100 is $470, and 500 ml will cost you $1205. I have a 100 ml bottle, and the quantity is enough to last a few years.
And the best part is with this price range, you are getting the highest quality perfume. That’s another reason why creed perfumes are so expensive.
Conversely, Montblanc Individuel is way cheaper than the classical Creed fragrances. If you are looking for a budget-friendly replacement for Original Santal, it’s the ideal pick.
My friend got a 75 ml bottle at $77. So, with 400 dollars, you can buy a much bigger bottle.
After the discussion, Original Santal has the upper hand in value for money because it’s worth it with such quality, longevity, and scent profile.
Overall Scent
Last but not least is the entire scent profile, which is also very important when it comes to selecting one fragrance among two. Because it’s possible that the head note of an aroma is alluring, but the middle and base are disappointing!
Let me start with my possession, Original Santal by Creed. It opens with fresh, juicy berries and tangy oranges mingling harmoniously with earthy herbs.
Then, it slowly enters a woody, sweet white floral genre. The touch of lavender is my favorite part.
After a while, the nutty, musky base shows up, merged with the soft woodiness of cedar and bitter oakmoss.
This combination brings depth, which is another reason it feels so cozy and inviting in colder months.
On the other hand, Individuel by Mont Blanc has the refreshing and mood-lifting effect of lavender, bergamot, and mint blended with the sweet, powdery tone of cinnamon and other spices.
The heart is all about the mesmerizing smell of various flowers. I understand why my friend likes this scent so much.
He is a big floral perfume person. So obviously, the sweet, powdery, fresh aura of violet and orange blossom, along with rosy geranium and the rich, sensual touch of jasmine, got his attention.
Finally, at the base, the density of sandalwood, amber, and musk becomes lighter due to the presence of the sweet, fruity smell of vanilla and raspberry.
Additionally, the bitter touch of dark chocolate adds a new dimension. So, which one has a better overall scent?
The answer is Creed Original Santa is more appealing as it dries down gracefully.
Final Verdict
Montblanc Individuel and Original Santal smell amazing, and they flourish the most during the cold seasons. So, selecting one can be more challenging.
If you are looking for a versatile unisex fragrance with a long-lasting effect and sweet refreshing blend of high-quality ingredients, then Creed Original Santal is the ideal choice.
Furthermore, to enjoy a cost-effective masculine scent with moderate longevity and sillage, which goes well during winter, Montblanc Individuel is the right pick.
So, select your fragrance depending on the features they are offering, and if you have any additional queries, comment below.
