I sandalwood perfumes they are an absolute excellence of niche perfumery and are based on a truly exclusive ingredient. Sandalwood in India is considered a divine essence and, due to massive exploitation over the years, it has become a protected species: its export can only take place if it comes from sustainable plantations. What makes it so special and deserving of attention and protection?
Sandalwood, a sacred wood
Unlike other plants, sandalwood has a history and characteristics that are decidedly out of the ordinary. Due to its resistance to termites, in India it was used centuries ago for the construction of temples and statues of deities, obtaining the status of "sacred wood" and protective. According to Hindus, its essential oil (obtained from wood since ancient times) promotes better reincarnation and, for this reason, the precious extract has always been used to cover the bodies of the rich or sovereigns during embalming or before cremation . Only plants between twenty and thirty years of age can offer the ideal concentrations of sandalwood oil in the central part of the trunk and in the roots, and this peculiarity further increases the need to adequately regulate and monitor the exploitation activity of this rare and valuable natural resource.
Sandalwood perfumes: irresistible fragrances for him and her
In addition to its function as a fragrant oil, sandalwood extract has been used for centuries to promote creativity, calm and meditation or as a natural disinfectant and anti-inflammatory. Those looking for a sandalwood perfume are attracted by warm, mystical, evocative and enveloping fragrances. In modern perfumery, there are few producers who can afford to use authentic and non-synthetic sandalwood essences, due to costs and legal limitations on the use of the raw material. Our selection of sandalwood perfumes includes irresistible fragrances that are perfectly representative of the fascinating sector of artistic perfumery. Here are our recommendations:
1) Santal du Pacifique by Perris Monte Carlo
Santal du Pacifique it is one of the most evident olfactory masterpieces of Perris Monte Carlo. The pure Pacific sandalwood essential oil contained in the fragrance (a rarity!) turns out to be soft, creamy, enveloping and perfectly balanced with the rest of the ingredients. The sandalwood notes dominate over everything else, without however being intrusive or rude. This fragrance is elegant, mysterious, almost therapeutic: a few sprays are enough to calm the soul and put both the wearer and those who perceive it in the air in a good mood. Our opinion? Simply one of the best sandalwood perfumes never created and a safe haven for all fans of this magical ingredient.
2) Sandalwood ETRO Profumi
On the market since 1989, Safety sandals di ETRO Profumi it's a unisex classic that never goes out of fashion. The heart notes contain the precious sandalwood of Mysore, a fascinating city in southern India chosen daily as a tourist destination by many people. In this geographical area it is possible to find a variety of sandalwood considered among the best in the world due to its characteristics and for a long time sandalwood represented one of the most identifying and important resources of the region. The heart of this sweet artistic fragrance is woody, warm, soft and bewitching. The presence of very different notes such as lemon, patchouli, lilac, amber and vanilla within the perfume is a confirmation of the perfect balance achieved by the mix of Safety sandals, which is totally harmonious and never unbalanced towards a particular ingredient.
3) Tam Dao of Diptyque
Tam Dao It is one of sandalwood perfumes best known to enthusiasts of the world of niche perfumery. The heart notes of the fragrance contain a creamy, milky and velvety sandalwood, supported by a framework of woods made up of rosewood, cypress and cedar. Diptyque inserts (rightly) Tam Dao in the list of its most iconic and recognizable fragrances and this perfume can boast a growing following of enthusiasts, daily bewitched by its magical composition. Despite being a unisex fragrance, many argue that it expresses its full potential on male skin, giving a mysterious and refined aura to the man who wears it.
4) Original Santal by Creed
The prestigious maison Creed pays homage and enhances the sandal with Original Santal, a high-ranking, noble fragrance with a strong identity. The precious Mysore sandalwood, the protagonist of this niche unisex perfume, is enhanced by a clever mix of citrus, spicy and aromatic notes. As always Creed does not skimp on the quality of the ingredients and the formula Original Santal it does not allow compromises of any kind. On the skin it releases tons of elegance and is a perfume suitable for both very formal and exclusive events and relaxed contexts. One of the best signature creations Creed of the last decades, to be chosen without fail.
5) Indian Study / Santal +++ by Miller et Bertaux
An exquisite fragrance, absolutely among the most representative of sandalwood in perfumery. In the olfactory pyramid, together with the precious Mysore sandalwood, Amyris sandalwood also appears, commonly nicknamed "the sandalwood of the West Indies". This essence (extracted from a plant that grows abundantly on the island of Haiti and is not strictly sandalwood, although it shares very similar scents) is balsamic, sweet and delicate, perfect for amplifying the woody character of Indian Study / Santal +++. Surprisingly, the heart of the fragrance suddenly turns towards spices (with hints of masala, cumin and curry), and then leaves a distinctive and definitive trail of varnished wood and moss on the skin. We are in the presence of un olfactory masterpiece that deserves to be tried and worn with pride!
Do you have questions or special requests about these or others sandalwood perfumes? Contact us!
