The Quest for THE Sandalwood Fragrance

[mikeperez23]

Mythrol - I am so happy you and your wife are enjoying Tam Dao EdP so much. I went thru my own travel bottle fast & for some strange reason I haven't replaced it yet. I will one of these days. I wore it heavily during a hot summer vacation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic a few years ago and it performed awesome. It wears just as good in warm weather as it does in cold. To my nose, it smells slightly tropical because my nose zeroes in on that coconut/fig sort of note. It's what I believe gives TD that creamy/lactic smell that many of us associate with Mysore sandalwood. Diptyque really did a good job with this one. It had a lot of hype when it was announced and they fulfilled my expectations when I smelled it.

I happen to also love Precious Woods. Its def' got a Mysore Sandalwood vibe, but harsher. It's just so damn expensive. If it were more affordable or if I could pick up a bottle heavily discounted I would probably own a FB. I think this and Chillum by La Via del Profumo are very similar.

 

[Mythrol]

I'm very glad to hear how well Tam Dao performs in warm weather since that's the weather I get 8 months out of the year here. I suspected it would be fine for my climate but hearing your experience is very reaffirming. The reason I went with the travel atomizer to begin with was because of this slight fear that maybe I wouldn't be able to wear it as much as I'd want. When it runs out I'll be sure to get a bottle. I attributed the smoothness to the cumin note I was picking up but I could see there being some coconut note that is more prominent in warm weather.

 

[Cornflake]

This is a great series, enjoying it very much. Would love to hear your thoughts on Xerjoff- Join the Club, Ivory Route.

 

[Mythrol]

Day #19: Fragrance- Profumum Roma Santalum
My Ratings: Scent - 7/10. Overall - 6/10.

Santalum falls right into what seems to be a very common theme with Sandalwood fragrances. Spice, resin, Sandalwood. I rarely use the term resin when describing a fragrance because, I'm not even sure how to describe it, but after smelling a lot of Sandalwood fragrances that do this same thing I guess at this point I can't help but mention that note here. It opens with like I said: Sandalwood, Spice, and Resin. There's no real change through the life and initial spray is basically what you get throughout.

Performance is where this fragrance seems to be lacking. I tried two different times today to reapply this fragrance for better longevity but it just didn't last on my skin. 4-6 and it was gone. Unfortunately sillage and projection were more of the same. It was a skin scent from pretty early on and I couldn't smell it unless I got my nose on my skin. I even applied more of the sample than I've used on any fragrance so far trying to get better performance but just nothing. It wears light.

Overall, Santalum is a pleasant enough fragrance. Nothing bad about it, but it just feels uninspiring after testing so many that do very similar things. Combine that with lacking performance and while the fragrance is "good", I'm left still feeling underwhelmed by it. It feels like it could be worn year round due to being so light and probably is unisex as well, though the spice adds a masculine swing. The type of person I'd suggest Santalum to is someone specifically looking for a light wearing Sandalwood that still has some spice and resin to it. Personal, however, I'd say look elsewhere first unless this just happens to be love at first sniff for you.

My Wife's Thoughts:

Throughly uninterested in talking about this. I attempted multiple times to get her to illicit some type of response but she just couldn't muster anything up for this one. Which is probably the biggest knock I could give against it. She was far more interested in talking about a Perfume she was testing and loving (Carven Le Parfum for those interested) than saying anything about this one.

Next Fragrance: Chanel - Bois des Iles.

 

[Buysblind]

Day #19:

Next Fragrance: Chanel - Bois des Iles.

Curious to see how this one goes.


By the way, what have you found more fun as far as sampling--vetiver or sandalwood?

 

[Diddy]

Carven Le Parfum, huh? Something Mrs. Diddy would like or nah?

 

[Mythrol]

@buysblind - probably Sandalwood to be honest. I hit a long streak with Vetivers that were VERY similar. Also I think I've found more scents I like better through the Sandalwood Quest.

@Diddy - it's floral heavy so I'm not. Wifey is a big fan and asked me to price it.

 

[Diddy]

@buysblind - probably Sandalwood to be honest. I hit a long streak with Vetivers that were VERY similar. Also I think I've found more scents I like better through the Sandalwood Quest.

@Diddy - it's floral heavy so I'm not. Wifey is a big fan and asked me to price it.

If it's floral heavy, I'll take it off the radar for my better half.

 

[mikeperez23]

Mythrol I think another sandalwood that is also strong on wood and has a similar aura to Precious Woods is Sandalo by Lorenzo Villoresi. In fact I think I'll wear that tomorrow as my SOTD

 

[Mythrol]

Day #20: Fragrance - Chanel Bois des Iles
My Ratings: Scent - 4/10. Overall - 4/10.

This is an alright fragrance, if you want a feminine fragrance. It opens with musk, Jasmine/florals, and something "airy". It's not a particularly heavy fragrance, it might even lean on the light side. But the first hour or two there's no mistaking- this smells like an old grandma. I think it's specifically the musk note that is pronounced at the beginning. As it dries down you do pick up a Sandalwood note that is nice and pleasant. I'm sure that's the reason people were suggesting this.

Performance was alright at best. There was nothing outstanding about it and it became a skin scent right around the time the Sandalwood scent which is really a bad thing since the only enjoyable part of it is he Sandalwood. Sillage and projection are middling and nothing to remark about.

Overall I had the same thought rolling around my mind the entire time I was wearing this, "Why?" Why would I subject myself to this opening for a Sandalwood note that while good is still just a skin scent? Why would I wear this at all when there's better options? Wear Egoiste instead. It gives you a very similar Sandalwood note drydown but without the horrible grandma opening. There is some merit to this fragrance for people looking for a feminine fragrance but if you're someone looking for a fragrance that screams "Sandalwood" just walk away.

My Wife's Thoughts:

She hated it. Pure, unadulterated hatred. Even as a fragrance for a female to wear she thought this was terrible and repeatedly questioned why someone would wear this. It was the musk note that to her was right in the forefront and ruined the entire thing. Even after it he dried down she still was not impressed. The opening was just too much for her.

Next Fragrance: Fredric Malle - Dries Van Noten

 

[Dandydude]

She hated it. Pure, unadulterated hatred.

Lol!! Now that's funny!!!

.

Next Fragrance: Fredric Malle - Dries Van Noten

I hate this one. Pure Unadulterated hatred.

 

[checkmate]

Wow... Give your wife a bottle of this and a "Louis Wanton" bag for Christmas and you'll find yourself sleeping on Diddy's couch for a week!

Thank you for the chuckle!!! Great stuff!!!

 

[Diddy]

Come on over, brother. I'll throw a pillow and blankets out. You know that big ole couch is comfy. Heck, I'll even light a fire for you. You bring the Makers Mark and we'll have a good time.

 

[Darjeeling]

Yep, never got why people suggest Bois de Iles so much. Sure, there's eventually some nice sandalwood in the base, but it's primarily classic Chanel florals. Lovely if you like that, and undoubtedly good quality but not something I want to wear.

 

[Mythrol]

Yep. It's definitely one that I could imagine myself never wearing again ever.

 

[Diddy]

Yep. It's definitely one that I could imagine myself never wearing again ever.

Yes, but how do you feel about it?


Side note: is it to early for me to share what I think your top 5 will be? [emoji56]

 

[Mythrol]

Yes, but how do you feel about it?


Side note: is it to early for me to share what I think your top 5 will be? [emoji56]

You can guess. I'm not even sure what my top 5 will be outside of Tam Dao.

 

[Diddy]

You can guess. I'm not even sure what my top 5 will be outside of Tam Dao.

After a long internal battle, you'll see things this way.....

1. Tam Dao
2. Wonderwood
3. Santal Imperial
4. AoS Sandalwood and Cypress
5. Not as clear but - Fraganard Santal

If it's anything different than that, you're lying just to prove me wrong. [emoji23][emoji12][emoji23]

 

[DanHD]

Come on over, brother. I'll throw a pillow and blankets out. You know that big ole couch is comfy. Heck, I'll even light a fire for you. You bring the Makers Mark and we'll have a good time.

You could break out some perfume samples while you're sipping..

 

[Mythrol]

You could break out some perfume samples while you're sipping..

I can assure you, anytime we are together, we are sniffing colognes. If you think having basenotes is an enabler, imagine having a brother that is into it as much as you are.