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One is an Italian house that treats oud as one theme among many. The other is a French house built almost entirely around it. Here is how to choose. Xerjoff and Montale are two of the most searched niche houses in Lebanon, and they often land on the same shortlist because both are known for rich, long-lasting perfumes with oud somewhere in the picture. They are less alike than that suggests. This guide compares their origins, how they use oud, how their catalogs are organized, and which kind of shopper each suits. Esscentum stocks both, with 78 Xerjoff products and 76 Montale products, so you can compare them side by side. Confirm current pricing, notes and availability on the Xerjoff and Montale collection pages rather than treating anything here as fixed. At a Glance Xerjoff Montale Origin Italian, connected to Turin French, based in Paris Founded 2004, by Sergio Momo 2003, by Pierre Montale Identity Italian luxury, broad range of themes "French ambassador of oud," oud and rose at the core Oud's role One strand among many, with a dedicated Oud Stars line The central idea running through the catalog Esscentum range 78 products across many named lines 76 products, mostly Aoud, Arabians, Diamond and Rendez-Vous Best for Variety, collectibility, an Italian luxury feel A committed oud and rose style Origins and Philosophy Xerjoff was founded by Sergio Momo in 2004, the year its first collection, XJ 17/17, launched. Momo's interests show in the house's identity: Parfumo notes his passion for astronomy led to bottles decorated with a small piece of meteorite, and the house later revived an older fragrance name with its Casamorati 1888 collection. Today the house also partners with the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, which gives it a distinctly Italian luxury presence. Montale was founded in Paris in 2003 by Pierre Montale. By the house's own account, he had been creating perfumes for royalty and dignitaries in Saudi Arabia before returning to France, where he positioned himself as an "ambassador of oud" for the West. Retailers describe the signature Montale pairing as oud with Bulgarian or Turkish rose, vanilla and patchouli. One retailer claims patchouli appears in 95% of the collection. That is a retailer's claim, not an independent figure, but it matches the impression a quick look through the range gives. Montale fragrances are also known for their aluminum bottles. How Each House Uses Oud This is the real difference. In Montale's catalog, oud is the organizing idea. The Aoud line alone is long, with each release pairing oud with a different partner, and its best-known fragrance, Black Aoud, is described by one retailer as a medicinal, leathery oud smoothed by dark red rose and earthy patchouli. Xerjoff treats oud as one of several directions. The Oud Stars line focuses on it, and Parfumo records that the house presented its own interpretation of oud in 2012, but the wider catalog covers many other themes across its sub-lines, including Casamorati 1888, Join the Club, Kemi, Shooting Stars, 17/17 and XJ 1861. If you want oud in a variety of moods alongside non-oud options, Xerjoff gives you more room. If you want to explore oud and rose in depth, Montale does. How the Catalogs Are Organized Montale's range at Esscentum falls into recognizable groups: the Aoud line, Black Aoud and Intense Black Aoud, Arabians, Rendez-Vous, the Diamond line, and standalone oud and non-oud releases. Xerjoff's is split into named sub-lines, each with its own character, which makes the catalog feel more like a set of small collections. Neither is easy to browse cold, so deciding which line suits you first saves time. Intensity, Longevity and Price Both houses are positioned as niche luxury, and both are generally described as intense. We haven't verified performance claims for specific bottles, and projection varies by fragrance, so use each product page as the guide rather than the brand's reputation. Pricing for both sits above mainstream designer perfume. Check current prices on the product pages, since niche pricing isn't standardized. Which One Suits You? Choose Montale if You already love oud and want to explore it in depth. You like the pairing of oud with rose, vanilla and patchouli. You want a catalog with a clear, consistent identity. Choose Xerjoff if You want variety, with oud as one option among several moods. You enjoy collecting and exploring named sub-lines. You like an Italian luxury sensibility and distinctive bottle details. Where to Start With Each These picks are confirmed as listed in Esscentum's catalog, but check current stock before ordering. Montale: Black Aoud, the house's signature oud and rose release; Intense Black Aoud for a more concentrated take; and Aoud Queen Roses if you prefer a rose-led direction. See our Montale buying guide. Xerjoff: Naxos and Erba Pura, two of the house's most discussed standalone names, and Alexandria II from the Oud Stars line if oud is what you're after. See our Xerjoff buying guide. Not a verdict: There's no objectively better house here. These are different approaches to rich perfumery, and the best test is to try specific bottles. If you can, sample one or two from each before committing to a full bottle. Frequently Asked Questions Is Xerjoff or Montale better? Neither is better in general. Montale suits shoppers who want oud and rose explored in depth, while Xerjoff suits those who want more variety across themes. Which is more expensive, Xerjoff or Montale? Both sit in the niche tier above mainstream designer perfume. Compare current prices on the product pages, since individual bottles vary. Which has more oud? Oud runs through most of Montale's catalog. Xerjoff has a dedicated oud line, Oud Stars, but treats oud as one theme among many. Where can I buy Xerjoff and Montale in Lebanon? Both are available online through Esscentum's dedicated collections. Always verify current stock and pricing on the product page before ordering. Compare both houses side by side. Shop Xerjoff Shop Montale