Sandalo fragrance notes
Head
- Lavender, Rosewood, Petitgrain
Heart
- Labdanum, Rose, Neroli, Sandalwood
Base
- Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Musk
Where to buy
Latest Reviews of Sandalo

Fascinatingly enough, there is a dry woodiness that also somehow feels creamy and balmy, especially as Sandalo dries into its heart. No matter what sandalwood materials were used, whether Mysore, Australian or others, a multitude of synth bases or accords, it somehow all feels honest and real (if that really makes sense). I think many folks have this idea of how sandalwood should smell or "feel" and may be a bit taken aback by this representation. I've smelled the wood itself along with the oils. This is one of the closest representations I've smelled. Is that important? Well, that depends on the person, but I do quite favor some realism now and then, and it's delivered here with aplomb.
The dry down is accompanied with resinous elements, extending the heart of sandalwood into the base beautifully, with the feeling over time being meditative and the more unctuous elements alighting into a warm powdery "your skin but better" scent. Overall, it's a wonderful development for sure.
Villoresi is extraordinarily talented in my humble opinion, deserving of much more respect.

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The first one, to lift a phrase from another review, is almost too lovely for a man. Rosewood, rose, lavender, trace neroli, and sandalwood? 4-6hrs, perhaps. A few steps from perfect and by itself I doubt I'd wear it much, honestly.
The second one is a nutty, creamy, sun-kissed, 2nd-skin type sandalwood that remains with just a slight memory of the first. It lasts and lasts. Perfect.
I place Santal Noble and Santalum on the top shelf, Sandalo is close.


3 hours longevity, max. The trace that lingers on your clothes the day after is however outstanding so I might it buy it again.

Now about the wood. Initially is is somewhat nonspecific on my skin, but in the drydown the sandal declares itself. Like all good sandalwoods it is discrete, not intrusive and not easy to catch. It is not of the same unparalleled quality as in Creed's Bois de Santal, is less intense than in Chanel's Bois des Îsles (the original vintage formulation), is less vivid than in Egoïste's Cologne Concentrée and - maybe mercifully for the sandalophile - lacks the cedar that is so often added in (Tam Dao, Le Labo), but it is a very pleasant and convincing specimen made of a high quality ingredient.
The patchouli that arises in the base is unusually soft and mild, and together with a fairly subtle musk tone blends in gently, avoiding an overpowering of the sandalwood, whose delicate structure is often overlooked in fragrances and overwhelmed - see Original Santal.
This is a very good sandalwood and a nice autumn scent. The performance is outstanding, with moderate sillage, excellent projection and a superb fourteen hours of longevity. 3.5/5.



Sandalo doesn't smell too much like sandalwood. Instead it presents an angular synthetic dry wood accord that's marred by harsh, sour off notes. The development is dominated by a bitter vetiver which rests upon a crude, aggressively chemical woody foundation. This is a loud fragrance with none of the suavity or depth I associate with sandalwood. Not one of Lorenzo Villoresi's best offerings, I'm afraid.


7,5/10