Ramon Monegal Next To Me Review (Ramon Monegal) + Isn’t it Romantic Giveaway

Ramon Monegal Next To Me Review

 Ramon Monegal Next to Me by Karl©

“The winds of heaven mix for ever

With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;

All things by law divine

In one spirit meet and mingle.” Excerpt from Love’s Philosophy by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Ramon Monegal is synonymous with exclusivity. Mr. Monegal represents the fourth generation of the House of Myrugia, which was the official purveyor to the Spanish Royal family, this house is famed for luxury and creativity. The ink bottle flacon represents Monegal’s main source of inspiration in literature and like his scents reflect the richness of both prose and the minimalism of poetry.

Ramon Monegal perfumer

Ramon Monegal courtesy of the perfumer©

Ramon Monegal Next to Me has a beautiful poignancy on both a physical and an emotional level, which is incredibly romantic.  What stopped me in my tracks immediately was its ability to fuse both masculine and feminine energies and meld them together to produce something truly blissful, which has both sunlight and moonbeams within. Next To Me is a personification of two souls who are meant for each other meeting, clasping and comforting each other in an embrace. There is the duality of spices: saffron, nutmeg and black pepper and the fruity notes of coconut, peach and melon.  Imagine for a moment the power of this combination.  A leathery saffron and spicy black pepper (strong and dominant) playing against peach and melon (bright and juicy) linked with a soft coconut water and lush warm nutmeg.  Heat and fire blending with soothing tones.

Dubai Sunset

Dubai Sunset Image by Karl©

Ramon Monegal Next to Me has presence, the peach is so realistic that one almost salivates in anticipation of being served up a plateful of them to take a bite from.  The spices mingling with the fruit set up an olfactory menu to savour. This is no ordinary perfume.  The inspiration for the scent was the majesty of the stories of ‘A Thousand and One Nights’ and the unique destination of Dubai.  Here I can make a clear link with my own experiences earlier this year whilst visiting and taking in the power that Dubai emanates.  There’s an energy to Ramon Monegal Next to Me that lingers like the memories I have of  the Pier Chic restaurant located in the Jumeriah Al Qasr. It is a labyrinth down to the pier, which reimagines the ancient architecture styles of various eastern and western dynasties.  Once there the restaurant faces directly to the Burj Al Arab, a global icon of Arabian Luxury looking on to the gulf.  Taking in such a sensorial experience reflects the beauty of Ramon Monegal Next to Me.  The warm tones elicit thoughts of balmy evenings strolling to the pier, whilst the tropical aspect plays on the temptation to dive straight into succulent fruits on offer.

Ramon Monegal Next to Me

Image by Karl©

Ramon Monegal Next to Me  doesn’t follow traditional top to base note construction.  It is unique and the effect on skin is like a collection of small-surprising presents that you open on each spritz.  One second you are hit with Turkish rose, the next the Somalian Frankincense teases your nostrils.  All the while, the fruity and spicy nuances continue to peek through.  As such the perfume keeps an element of lightness and avoids becoming too heavy.

There is an underlying darkness which is apparent right from the beginning.  Spanish labdanum holds the entire fragrance journey together.  Slightly animalic and leathery, subtly sweet and fruity whilst being woody this is the perfect ingredient to centre the other notes around; the mutual vision and the glue that brings the romance of Next to Me together.   The darkness is further enhanced with the introduction of Indian oud, which is blended in so beautifully that it creates an elegance and pleasure that indicates great thought and time has been dedicated to this scent.  It transports you to twilight, the effect is a harmony of emotions and a soul.  Really the additions of such a delicate and precious wood a superb undercurrent to conjure up the majesty of this perfume further bolstered with Russian leather, a fantastic addition to harmonise with labdanum.  No simplistic Rose-Oud combination going on here. Beneath this wonderful symphony of chords lies sandalwood, cashmeran and Brazilian tonka bean.  These notes act like soft pillows to relax on and rest one’s head.  The magic of ‘Next to Me’ lies in its ability to fuse excitement, desire, surprise and pleasure at once.  This is no mean feat.   A truly special fragrance that is incredibly luxurious and exclusive.

Ramon Monegal Next to Me epitomises the difference between a hot and steamy affair and a relationship that withstands the test of time..

Notes: Coconut, peach, melon, Spanish Saffron, Indonesian nutmeg, Black Pepper, Egyptian Jasmine, Turkish Rose, Turkish Rose Absolute, Somalian Frankincense, Spanish labdanum, Indian Oud, Australian Sandalwood, cashmeran, Russian Leather, Brazilian Tonka bean.

Disclaimer: Bottle of Next to Me kindly sent by Ramon Monegal. My opinions are my own.

Karl Topham, Senior Contributor

Please read:  Kiss My Name Review by Nicoleta Tomsa

Ole by Nicoleta Tomsa

Flower Power by Olya Bar

From our dear editor  Robert Herrmann(RIP) Monegal La Isla Blamca

Please view  Steven Gavrielatos’ The Three you Should Be Wearing

Next To Me Ramon Monegal

Ramon Monegal Next To Me

Thanks to the generosity of Ramon Monegal, we have a draw for a 50ml bottle of Next to Me for one registered reader EU, UK & USA. To be eligible please leave a comment about what specifically interests you about Karl’s review and where you live. Draw closes 4/216/22.

You can follow us @cafleurebon @karl.topham @ramonmonegal

This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

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72 comments

  • A fruity-rose-oud-incense! By Ramon Monegal no less! I am absolutely intrigued by the notes and the story. Thank you! I am in the US.

  • Superb Review by Karl who truly knows how to spark my interests based on saying that the Peach note so realistic you salivate.
    The number of notes in Ramon Monegal Next To Me had to take a tremendous amount of time, expertise and thought to create. Amazing to say the least.
    Thank you for the giveaway and Ramon Monegal for your generosity. I live in USA.

  • joetelegram says:

    Fellow readers,

    As I have been traveling along on my fragrance journey, I have been pleasantly surprised at the joy of breaking modern convention when it comes to the divergence of “masculine” and “feminine” when it comes to perfume, generally speaking. I am intrigued to hear that “Next to Me” does just that, something I am becoming more and more familiar with.

    I am especially interested, hearing of the dueling or merging compositions of various ‘opposite’ ingredients, such as saffron, nutmeg, pepper, coconut, peach, melon, turkish rose, and frankincense. Also animalic, fruity, leathery, sweet, and woody. The dualities made me think of ‘fire and ice’ for some reason. I am also intrigued when it comes to the hype-realism of the peach note in this fragrance.

    Thank you Ramon Monegal and Cafleurebon for the opportunity. Also, thank you Karl Topham for this entry and introduction.

    With best regards, Joseph O’Brien–Roseburg, Oregon (USA)

    Username: joetelegram
    Instagram: @joetelegram

  • Nikolina_84 says:

    He got me with his description: “… ability to fuse both masculine and feminine energies and meld them together to produce something truly blissful, which has both sunlight and moonbeams within.” That sounds absolutely magical!
    Hugs from EU.

  • The notes in Next to Me are all classic and I loved reading in Karl’s review the fact that Indian Oud, which can be quite pungent and skanky, if not skillfully used, is very well blended with other notes in Next to Me. I love oud based perfumes, and in general earthy, woody, oriental notes – this perfume checks all these boxes and is designed by Ramon Monegal, so I expect it be a very lovely perfume. Thanks for the review and a generous draw. From USA.

  • What an amazing review! The blend of the fruity notes and oud and rose? Sounds sooo good!!!! I would really love to try Next to Me!!!! I’m in the USA.

  • I like the idea of a “collection of small-surprising presents that you open on each spritz”. Plus, a Rose-Oud combination is exactly what I have in mind when I think of my darling next to me.

    I’m Anca, and I live in Lisbon, Portugal

  • It is clear this perfume is for those who like the fragrances to have noir vibe. It has oud and rose but also labdanum as well as Russian Leather. Thanks for the draw. I am in US.

  • Claumarchini says:

    I did not know Ramon Monegal before starting to explore the world of niche perfumery and I have read with great pleasure and interest all the articles in Cafleurebon featuring one of his fragrances. After reading this amazing article by Karl, I am now extremely intrigued and would really love to be able to smell this beauty…A rose-oud fragrance that is not like the others, with that peach note that intrigues me every time I come across it (I just love it, the mouth-watering feeling…), and the melon, not to speak about frankincense. I would love to be the lucky winner! Greetings from Italy

  • I absolutely love this idea of the collision of two people, two worlds, two styles. It’s hard to imagine it, hope I get to try it!!! Boston area, USA

  • I had a sample of this. It’s absolutely amazing! Such an easy to like and easy to wear leather. Among the best leather perfumes I have tried so far. I am in Europe. Thanks for the draw!

  • The amazing details specifically interest me about Carl’s review, I live in Poland, EU.

  • This one sounds so cool – a scent that manages to retain a lightness with oud-driven darkness right below the surface. This does sound luxurious. Thanks to Karl for his excellent review. NC USA

  • I truly enjoyed Karls review on this fantastic fragrance. I love fragrances that have peaches on its notes and this one of truly special because of the subtle animalic and woody notes. It is something I would adore, I say in advance. Would really love to try this.
    I live in the USA.

  • Ramon Monegal fragrances are provocative, powerful , and almost bohemian.
    Because of Dubai way of life, and Karl Topham lively review, I do believe Next to Me is a mystical fragrance , that warms you from inside. Coconut and leather is bit unexpected, but actually makes me want to try the fragrance even more, I’d love to win a bottle.
    It was also delightful leaning about Ramon Monegal past , and love for his native country of Spain .
    One of my favorite fragrances is Impossible Iris – Ramon Monegal. Modern and cozy fruity-floral.
    Thanks for the draw
    USA

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    A truly special fragrance that is incredibly luxurious and exclusive.
    I am fascinated by this perfume.
    I am from Bucharest Romania Europe

  • Balmy evening by the pier and fruit and spices. Great review! I own flamenco which I love and live in the USA

  • Next to Me sounds perfectly unisexy. I enjoyed reading about the many layers of this fragrance. On my wishlist it goes, along with a visit to Dubai. I do enjoy my Ramon Monegal fragrances and their bottles are unique. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff. Mich USA

  • The combination of fruits and spices sound beautiful. I love dark fragrances so the fact that it has dark undertones with an added oud note and a huicy peach throughout makes this sound like a masterpiece, a symphony to the senses.
    Indiana USA

  • msnitechemist says:

    Tonka bean and cashmeran are things I didn’t realize I loved until I started looking more closely at the lotions I grab often, and now I love these scent profile in perfume. Color me intrigued by the combination of fruits, spices, roses, and oud, too. Described by Karl, I interpret this oud fragrance to be blended smoothly and not too strong. It seems like a lot of notes and I have never owned anything so complex before. Here’s to hoping I’m the lucky one this time. I live in the US.

  • One of the most famous quotes in the world of marketing , and storytelling is
    In the luxury business, you have to build on heritage.
    -Bernard Arnault
    It truly fits into Ramon Monegal lifestyle story well. He followed a similar path, and just like Bertrand Arnault, he build his own brand well.
    Next to Me i like for its complexity and refinement . With all the spices, leather and fruityness i think the fragrance also has seductive Middle Eastern nature.
    To me the best Ramon Monegal fragrance is Mon Patchouly . Half earthy, half chocolate patchouli, with amber and incense .
    Thank you for the opportunity
    USA

  • liquidasset77 says:

    Like reading the prose a a great poetic genius with a philosophers touch. Reading these words leaves wanting this fragrance more than I’ve wanted in a long time. The assam Oud blend must be phenomenal the way he waxed poetic on the transportive nature. Just listen “ Like reading the prose a a great poetic genius with a philosophers touch. Reading these words leaves wanting this fragrance more than I’ve wanted in a long time. The assam Oud blend must be phenomenal the way he waxed poetic on the transportive nature. ”

  • What specifically got my attention in Karl’s review is saying that this perfume is unique and the effect on skin is like a collection of small-surprising presents that you open on each spritz. Now that I find really tempting!
    EU

  • The magic of ‘Next to Me’ lies in its ability to fuse excitement, desire, surprise and pleasure at once. This is no mean feat. A truly special fragrance that is incredibly luxurious and exclusive.

    Ramon Monegal Next to Me epitomises the difference between a hot and steamy affair and a relationship that withstands the test of time..

    Notes: Coconut, peach, melon, Spanish Saffron, Indonesian nutmeg, Black Pepper, Egyptian Jasmine Turkish Rose, Turkish Rose Absolute, Somalian Frankincense, Spanish labdanum, Indian Oud, Australian Sandalwood, cashmeran, Russian Leather, Brazilian Tonka bean. This is a house that I epitomises class and indulgence the notes are just exquisite I can’t wait to try this. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • There is the duality of spices: saffron, nutmeg and black pepper and the fruity notes of coconut, peach and melon. Imagine for a moment the power of this combination. A leathery saffron and spicy black pepper (strong and dominant) playing against peach and melon (bright and juicy) linked with a soft coconut water and lush warm nutmeg. Heat and fire blending with soothing tones. A beautiful description by Karl I am fascinated to try this on skin. I am intrigued by all the notes notes especially Rose, Frankincense in particular. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Thank you for this scrumptious review. I am so intrigued at your description of a spicy peach! And that it has an unusual dry down, rather than the traditional top, middle, bottom. I would love to try this. Writing from the EU.

  • Next to Me seems to be one of the opulent, warm and spicy fragrances , both poweful and tender, jucy and comfortingly rich,a true feast for the nostrils, a 1001 nights and sunrises together! From Romania with love!

  • My favourite from the line of Ramon Monegal is Cuirelle. I really like leather and feel like Mr. Monegal is a master of this note. I would love to get to try Next to Me as well as this looks pretty promising.
    I am based in the EU. Thanks!

  • The warm season begins and this fragrance anticipates the summer, it is a “juicy” scent of fruity notes, mouth watering. I don’t have any Ramon Monegal and this looks GORGEOUS !!!!!
    Linda EU

  • ANDREEA ELENA TIMOFTE says:

    I would like to experience both Dubai and Ramon Monegal Next to Me…To see how my experience would be comparing to Karl’s. The review is great. So this is the perfume of LOVE! Plus it has all my favorite fruits: peaches, coconut, melon!!! OOOHHH!!! I would love to win this perfume.
    I live in London, UK.

  • I think the thing that intrigued me most about Karl’s review is how he evokes longing; both for the fragrance and of the vibe that it emanates. The duality that he describes within Ramon Monegal Next to Me is certainly thought-provoking. Such drastically differing scent profiles melding into one cohesive olfactory delights seems incredible difficult but the way he describes the marriage makes it appear flawlessly executed. Indeed, the realistic peach note makes my mouth water just reading about it and the inclusions of black pepper and saffron have me curious about it all comes together. At any rate, Next to Me seems like a fragrance that can be enjoyed by anyone and it would be a pleasure to experience one of Monegal’s creations. Thanks of course to him as well as CaFleureBon for the opportunity and cheers from Illinois, USA!

  • NituNicolae says:

    So many notes, is this everything in a bottle?! Jokes aside, Ramon Monegal fragrances always use the best ingredients, this one is no exception. Thank you for the opportunity, maybe i get lucky. From Romania, EU.

  • So good review Karl! Love to try Next to Me and appreciate the mixing of the masculine and feminine energies, the personification of two souls , the duality of spices and fruits. As a lover of saffron ( I am spanish, so “azafrán” it is so present in my kitchen) and pepper, want to feel the mix with the melon and coconut: the heat and the refreshing. What amazes me in Karl´s text about how the scent performs in his skin is the collection of “small-surprising presents” that you sniff in each spritz. Never to heavy with the labdanum as a master of ceremony of oud, sandalwood and tonka. Magic notes to feel excitement, desire, surprise and pleasure! I live in Spain, EU.

  • It would be easier to ask me what doesn’t interest me about this review, haha. Literally everything that Karl described are my favorite things in a fragrance. Anytime fruit, spices, rose, and Oud are blended masterfully that is a fragrance I need to try! I live in Virginia in the US.

  • LucaGelsomino says:

    Interesting remark about the perfume not following the traditional top to base construction, I am intrigued and would very much like to have the opportunity of trying this fragrance.

    Thanks for the review, Karl.

    I live in the Netherlands, Europe.

  • Waw Karl! Thank you for this review!
    The fact that Next to Me doesn’t follow traditional top to base note construction is so intriguing for me. I have wondered before why does perfumes have this 3 stages and how it would be to have more or just to be different.
    Ramon Monegal Next to Me is on my wish list right now.
    Hugs from Romania

  • This review is great, Karl. I love the blending of the feminine and masculine, as well as the nonconventional structure. Everything about Ramon Monegal appeals to me. I am in the US.

  • Wow this sounds like my kind of scent. I love fruity scents with a darker edge to them. The idea of the duality between the spice and the coconut and peach is super intriguing to me. I am in USA.

  • Let me tell you. Reading these reviews is a journey. “Personification of two souls who are meant for each other meeting, clasping”, this fragrance sounds just like my cup of tea. I just wanna say i am wearing soulmates. The peach note makes me the most curious. Hope to win this. Thank you for the opportunity! I live in Romania.

  • emorandeira says:

    Karl’s review is so interesting as always and Next to me one of my favourite perfumes from this House. I LOVE how he explains the different behaviour of this perfume. Next to me is not the typical fragrance and the behaviour on Skin is different to most of the perfumes I hace tried. Karl explains very good this phenonen.
    I am writing from Tenerife in Spain (EU). Thank you for these great reviews!

  • I would like to try this fragrance- it has a lot of ingredients which I can like, and I’d love to try a fragrance release from this company. This fragrance seems like a “dark” one which has some enjoyable nuances. I want to see what the frankincense and Indian oud are like in this fragrance. I live in the U.S.A.

  • I love that Karl describes this fragrance is the personification of two souls that are meant for each other meeting in an embrace, the perfect melding of moonbeams and sunlight. Sounds absolutely masterful. Based in the UK.

  • GennyLeigh says:

    That list of notes is impressive! Next To Me sounds like a very complex spiced fruit fragrance. Definitely not another simplistic rose-oud scent. I love peach in fragrances but so rarely find one that is well done. I’m intrigued that Next To Me has such a realistic peach in combination with the saffron and leather. MD, USA.

  • Thanks for the review Karl!

    I was not aware that the brand of Ramon Monegal is synonymous with exclusivity and that it represents the fourth generation of the House of Myrugia. This makes me want to try Next To Me and engulf myself in it’s luxury and creativity.

    Combinations of Rose and Oud have become quite the industry standard so it’s always interesting to read when Oud is combined with other notes like Labdanum and Leather. While this might sound a little animalic to me, the way you describe it I feel confident this is much smoother and luxurious than I imagine.

    Greetings from the UK!

  • The name of the famous restaurant Karl Topham mentioned in the beginning of his review is actualy Pierchic , and not Pier Chic.
    I don’t know when he visited the place, but during the last 3 Head Chefs , lots of changes were made in the interior, the menus, 3 totally different experiences.
    From Paolo Bellamio , to Paul Lupton , and the current Head Chef , since 2020 , Beatrice Segoni .
    In the culinary world all 3 are superstars, having Beatrice Segoni as your Head Chef right now, is like having Cecile Zarokian as your in-house perfumer.
    I do have 2 close friends working under Beatrice Segoni, and was invited twice to work there , which is a huge recognition I’m very proud of.
    Karl take on Next to Me instantly reminded me of making, and later eating the traditional Persian Cake with rose petals, cardamom, saffron, almonds , orange and rose water , and dates. It’s called Kayk-e Eshgh , but more people know it as Persian Love Cake , or Persian Pavlova cake.
    Eating the cake, while sitting on a leather couch and incense burning near by , is how I imagine Next to Me would smell.
    I like the heritage , and the strong lineage of Ramon Monegal , being 4th generation perfumer, father being a famous perfumer himself .
    The only Ramon Monegal fragrance i know is Bravo. I had a small decant in the past , and now a bottle, and to me it smells like I’m eating Chocolate Ganache Cake with Cassis, drinking freshly squeezed apricot juice , while again sitting on a leather couch.
    It’s interesting how both Next to Me, and Bravo have fruity sweetness, rose and leather.
    Appreciate Pierchic reference Karl made , the review , and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • millertyme says:

    I am very intrigued at the prospect of resting my head on a pillow of sandalwood, cashmeran and Brazilian tonka bean. This fragrance sounds incredibly luxurious! I am located in the U.S.

  • Mirea Luca says:

    These seems such a complex fragrance. I love the mentioning if the origins of ingredients. Gives the fragrance some more class. Spanish labdanum, nutmeg and leather in this combo seem to be such an unique one. Thank you for the opportunity! I live in Romania, EU.

  • Next tinsounds so sumptious: a classic rose oud plus leather and labdanum. I wonder who wouldn’t want to sit Next to someone wearing it…
    I’m in eu

  • Never got to smell one of this house fragrances, but this one seems to be a masterpiece. I am immediately drawn to the name, the soulmate description, and the meaning given to this notes put together. This is just like poetry. The notes can mean whatever, but to see a glimpse of what the composer wanted it to be, it’s just a privilege. I loved the review! Greetings from the EU.

  • Great review Karl, as always! What I liked about the reviews are Karl’s gorgeous photos, they set the mood for a description of this astounding fragrance! And his thoughts about the fragrance are spot-on! I felt the same way as Karl when I smelled it from a blotter! Truly a beautiful fragrance! Ramon Monegal is a house that is truly underrated, they have so much gems it’s hard to name all of them! This one is also among the gems! I live in Croatia, EU.

  • Whoah! This is some heck of a review!
    The combination of such different style notes like melons along with gorgeous rose and jasmine, followed by spices and woody notes sounds so gorgeous. I can see how it could be described as the difference between a hot and steamy affair and a relationship that withstands the test of time.
    I live in the USA.

  • Karl’s article was a wonderful read, very touching, intimate and evocative. The way he has described “Next to me” as a long-lasting, constructive relationship full of understanding and reliability was truly inspiring, because I think we all want that for ourselves, in the end…and also a scent to match that.
    The olfactive pyramid is also super interesting. Rose-oud at the base, but then again with a complexity of notes and layers that differentiate it from the other rose-oud combos out there. I’m particularly intrigued by the coconut, melon, spices and frankincense.
    I live in the EU.

  • This sounds like an intriguing fragrance, with a mix of heavy and light notes. I would love to try it. ~Indiana, USA

  • I can not believe how many notes are in a single fragrance. These one contains the concept of love and move through so many notes. Well…they do say love is complicated. I would love to win this one. Great review! Thank you for the opportunity! I am from Europe.

  • I marveled at Karl’s ability to unpack new Ramon Monegal’s fragrance. At the end of the article, I was convinced that Next To Me is the best new fragrance of 2022.  The short introduction to House of Myrugia was just the beginning of the great article. I really enjoyed reading about Monegal’s fusion of complementary energies, and masterful play of contrasting notes and underlying darkness. Karl conjured richness, beauty and magic of experience in Dubai so vividly, that even though I have never visited it, its images, feeling, and smell are becoming so intense in my head as I would know the country firsthand. There are so many aspects that I love in the article, but one of the more intriguing is an element of surprise that Next To Me makes a truly special fragrance.
    Greetings from Slovenia

  • The idea of duality in perfumes is fascinating and I would love to get my nose on this! As someone with a somewhat new interest in perfume it would be amazing to smell things and match them with your review. Thank you for the giveaway; I am in the UK.

  • wandering_nose says:

    Oh! Karl, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! The way you linked the emotions the fragrance evokes for you, and your personal story of experiencing Dubai with all its beauty and contrasts, is truly amazing. Next to Me sounds marvelous, fusing both masculine and feminine energies to create some new, sensual and blissful quality, and providing those super intriguing clashes of subtle and quiet notes with some fiery and spicy ones, all against the backdrop of oud and other precious woods. I would be very grateful to be able to try Next to Me. Thank you from Dublin, Ireland, EU

  • The realistic peach got me and the statement that this isn’t a simplistic rose oud combo. I love the presentation too. would love to try it. I live in EU.

  • What interests me most is Karl’s mention of getting something new with every wearing. I love complex fragrances that have character and don’t stay linear, and this sounds like exactly that. I love that so many notes are listed and I really do wonder how it well smell on my skin. I really would like to try this one. Kind regards from Indiana, USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    I loved Karl’s review on Ramon Monegal Next to Me. I have always been wanting to try this brand with their beautiful bottle designs. This fragrance sounds wonderful how Karl’s brilliant and detailed review vividly describes every facet and detail of Next to Me from the lovely Rose and Oud combo to the deep smoky leathery and resinous touches of labdanum to a smooth and seductive incense. This fragrance has a depth and character about it I know I would enjoy. I am from the USA.

  • Next to Me sounds like a complex and interesting fragrance based on Karl’s description of the duality of Next to Me. From the realistic notes of peach to rose, frankincense to saffron and leather. The fragrance sounds really special and unique.
    Maryland, US.

  • Amber floral fragrance that seems to be a semi gourmand! Definitely want to try this out. Would be great for fall, winter, & spring yet even can be pulled off in the summer. That peach accord as my interest. Hope to win to try it.
    Martinsville, Virginia USA
    Instagram: safegotem

  • The juxtaposition of leathery spice against juicy fruit is really intriguing—though it would be just as good in a cocktail as it would be in a fragrance. I imagine the woody labdanum is what takes this out of the realm of the kitchen and bar and into perfumery. Great review Karl!

    I’m in the midwest, USA.

  • petergigov says:

    Next To Me checks all the boxes, truly opulent, mysterious fragrance, emphatic representation of Ramon Monegal envisioning fruity leather , on top of rose and incense .
    Cherry Musk and #CaféDelMar are my two favorites from the house, both smell awesome, both are true compliment magnets
    Exciting giveaway, USA
    Regards

  • I can’t deny that I am always craving for fragrances that are somehow connected with ‚A Thousand and One Nights’ stories. I love spices (particulary nutmeg and cardamom). And combining them with coconut water sounds great, both as a scent and as a meal.
    I live in Poland.

  • I love the idea of not following the now standard top, middle, base construct!and labdanum is such a magical item to hold it all together. Bravo. In maryland

  • IvanVelikov says:

    Karl vibrant review of almost transported me to Dubai , at its full beauty , and glory.
    The mixture of spices, oud,rose and sweetness i believe will make Next To Me truly unique, I don’t believe I’ve smelled such fragrance before.
    What intrigues me the most , is the amount of spices and fruits, and the unusual combination of coconut and so called Russian leather.
    Never had a chance to smell Ramon Monegal fragrances , but I have to say Next To Me sounds great
    Thanks to Karl, and Ramon Monegal
    USA

  • Next to Me sounds AMAZING! I love how Mr. Karl described the contrasting spicy and fruity notes as “sunlight and moonbeams”. When I read that it smells like a realistic, juicy peach with melon AND coconut water, all laying on a soft, fluffy cloud of cashmeran and tonka bean, I was sold! I think the “darkness” from the top notes will make this such a sexy scent! Thanks for the review and the chance to own this bottle!
    Indiana, USA

  • Really nice review i have to say, good job
    I know Next to Me well, since I had a bottle, and I’ll share my thoughts, and compare my opinion , with what Karl is getting.
    Next to Me was exclusive , made for Bloomingdale’s in Dubai . That’s where I bought mine. My empty bottle looks different, compared to the images in the article, the glass is not frosted, but transparent, and the name of the fragrance is Dubai Next to Me. It still has the old Ramon Monegal logo on it.
    Now I have to point out that I bought the fragrance…it was either late 2014 , or early 2015 , and I don’t know if the scent profile is exactly the same , or something is changed or tweaked.
    What I get from my empty bottle I’m literally holding in my left arm, is sweet candied fruits, lots of coconut, saffron, nutmeg and tonka . It gets woody in the base, but still keeping its candy fruits sweetness. I don’t get leather, or rose at all , with bare minimum of black pepper in the background.
    Technically me and Karl have similar opinions of Next to Me, and I do agree it smells like a story from “A Thousand and One Nights” , but we do have differences too . Other than the ones I’ve already mentioned, I think the “element of lightness” is just not there, the fragrance is really powerful, with astonishing longevity, and sillage. I think if you’re not careful, you could easily choke someone out.
    Trailblazing fragrance i have to say, I absolutely love it.
    There’s a lot of Ramon Monegal fragrances I love , i’ll mention some , Flamenco , Next to Me , Olé , Faisa,Soul of Oud and Bravo
    All profiles I already follow,i also follow @lauramonegal , Karl i follow long before he became part of Cafleurebon ,@waltherp99bg
    Thanks a lot
    USA

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    A fruity-rose-oud-incense!
    I am verry curious abbout it! I think it is a lovely present for ester.
    I am from Bucharest Romania Europe

  • Love to hear more about Ramon Monegals fragrances in general … live in Chandler ,Arizona . thanks !

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Lovely review Karl! What specifically interests me about Karl’s review is how he describes it as perfectly fusing both masculine and feminine aspects and energies with the duality of pungent and strong spices mingling with bright, juicy, and fleshy fruit notes of peach, melon, and coconut – hot and cool in perfect harmony. I love fragrances with strong juxtapositions of notes and unlikely combinations, so this scent sounds right up my alley! I live in the US.