Sandalwood recommendations?

**Price** · 09-30-2011, 06:43 PM

Looking for a sandalwood scent for the upcoming Illinois winter. I figured you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

**CoachClassRow13** · 09-30-2011, 06:49 PM

May want to browse here for some recommendations, but I suggest C&E's Sandalwood. Not overpowering, pretty accurate sandalwood scent, and inexpensive.

**The Nid Hog** · 09-30-2011, 06:51 PM

I think I'd start with AoS Sandalwood and go from there.

**tehtimmeh** · 09-30-2011, 06:52 PM

Harris Marlborough
MPG Santal Noble
AoS Sandalwood
Creed Bois de Santal
Profumum Santalum
Diptique Tam Dao

Try those and you'll never yearn for another sandalwood

**Price** · 09-30-2011, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by CoachClassRow13

May want to browse here for some recommendations, but I suggest C&E's Sandalwood. Not overpowering, pretty accurate sandalwood scent, and inexpensive.

Ah, that's just what I was looking for. Don't know how I missed it. Thanks, Coach!

**Evbo** · 09-30-2011, 07:18 PM

Another choice: SMK Fragrance's sandalwood/muskrat/ambergris blend.

The sandalwood used in this fragrance is of very high quality. The muskrat lends a subtle, animalic element to the blend that's almost (but not quite) flowery in nature, and the ambergris acts in its traditional role as an "exalter" and fixative. To my nose, this blend is like sandalwood on steroids. It lasts FOREVER, which is highly unusual for an all-natural frag. At the same time, it's very low-key. It doesn't announce itself.

Bruce, SMK's owner & perfumer, is a hugely talented (and very nice!) guy. He also uses all-natural ingredients so again, you're smelling actual sandalwood, actual ambergris and, uh, actual muskrat.

If you're interested, you can contact him here. I'm sure he'd be happy to send you a sample.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this is an oil-based perfume extrait. As such, it's very strong. Only a few dabs on pulse points are needed. 1ml would likely last for a long time, even with daily use.

**Price** · 09-30-2011, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by tehtimmeh

Harris Marlborough
MPG Santal Noble
AoS Sandalwood
Creed Bois de Santal
Profumum Santalum
Diptique Tam Dao

Try those and you'll never yearn for another sandalwood

Thanks Tim. Of these, the only one I've tried is the Marlborough. Didn't really care for it, and it didn't really say "sandalwood" to me either. I keep seeing Tam Dao recommended, but I read somewhere that it's got a strong cedar note. Castle Forbes cedarwood/sandalwood products smell like straight cedar to me, so please tell me it's not in that ballpark. I'm looking for something closer to a true sandalwood, or at least something that's primarily sandalwood.

Originally Posted by Evbo

Another choice: SMK Fragrance's sandalwood/muskrat/ambergris blend.

The sandalwood used in this fragrance is of very high quality. The muskrat lends a subtle, animalic element to the blend that's almost (but not quite) flowery in nature, and the ambergris acts in its traditional role as an "exalter" and fixative. To my nose, this blend is like sandalwood on steroids. It lasts FOREVER, which is highly unusual for an all-natural frag. At the same time, it's very low-key. It doesn't announce itself.

Bruce, SMK's owner & perfumer, is a hugely talented (and very nice!) guy. He also uses all-natural ingredients so again, you're smelling actual sandalwood, actual ambergris and, uh, actual muskrat.

If you're interested, you can contact him here. I'm sure he'd be happy to send you a sample.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this is an oil-based perfume extrait. As such, it's very strong. Only a few dabs on pulse points are needed. 1ml would likely last for a long time, even with daily use.

Interesting, Evan. Thanks for the link. Not sure about "actual muskrat", but I'll definitely try to score a sample. Thanks!

**Evbo** · 09-30-2011, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Price

I'm looking for something closer to a true sandalwood, or at least something that's primarily sandalwood.

Well, Bruce's blend is only composed of 3 elements, and sandalwood EO is the most prominent of the 3. So that sounds right on the money to me.

FYI, he tinctures many (if not all) of his essences himself. I don't know this for a certainty, but odds are he made the muskrat & ambergris tinctures in this blend. Plus, he's based in Wisconsin, so he's (more or less) local to you. And no, for the record I'm not getting anything out of this. I like Bruce a lot, I respect his talent, and he deserves as much business as possible.

**Schad** · 09-30-2011, 08:44 PM

only buy sandalwood scents if you can steer clear of the "this isnt mysore sandalwood, the quality has dropped" etc disappointment discussion. everytime this convo comes up everyone whines about how ____ frag sucks now because they had to reformulate it cause too many trees were cut down.

**BladeRunner001** · 09-30-2011, 09:08 PM

Are looking for soap, creme, EdT, EdC, AS or what?

My best Sandalwood scent comes from Cyril Salter's Indian Sandalwood Shave creme. QED Sandalwood soap is also awesome

**Price** · 09-30-2011, 09:34 PM

Primarily an EdT/EdP, but also an AS. Awaiting the QCS Mysore Sandalwood cream, and that's what started me thinking.

**cb91710** · 09-30-2011, 09:39 PM

My wife really likes my EJ. It's a lotion in a pump bottle, didn't realize that when I ordered it, glad I didn't squirt it at my face like an atomizer!

**The Chandos** · 09-30-2011, 10:11 PM

The best modern version of any kind of sandalwood edt that I've experienced has been Profumum's Santalum. I have their vintage and their current versions and although there is a subtle difference the biggest difference is color. MPG's Santal Noble is similarly as good. Other than that, I don't know where to find real-deal good sandalwood without getting into the extract or pure oil stuff.

**richardgleaton** · 10-01-2011, 02:03 AM

Fragrance is what people like...It attracts people very easily...They comes in many flavors like rose,sandalwood etc...As I suppose sandalwood is the best..

**Rushman2112** · 10-01-2011, 03:19 AM

A couple of weeks ago I bought the GFT sampler and it had a sandalwood shaving cream, skin food and cologne. All very good, nice fragrance without being overpowering. Mrs Rushman may be having a business trip to Londinium next month: if she does she is going with a GFT shopping list for all things sandalwood.

**YetiDave** · 10-01-2011, 03:49 AM

It's not a cologne or aftershave, but I always recommend this for a decent sandalwood scent -

You can buy it on amazon, it's nice and cheap, one container lasts ages and the smell with stick with you for well over a day. Most importantly it contains actual sandalwood oil

**elsmooth** · 10-01-2011, 04:04 AM

I've been using the TOBS Sandalwood for a couple of weeks now. I'm a fan. Got it through Sierra Trading Post. Sign up for their deal flyer, and you'll get unadvertised coupons (I got the cologne for just over $20 shipped with one of the flyers...I think the the coupon was for an additional 35% off and free shipping).

**Featherweight** · 10-01-2011, 08:47 AM

Based on the smell of the soap, I recommend Caswell & Massey's sandalwood. It's actually pretty good, nice smell of fresh aromatic wood.

...
http://frompyrgos.blogspot.com/

**kg0mz** · 10-01-2011, 08:49 AM

I haven't tried many. DR Harris Sandalwood AS is nice, and the scent lingers most of the day on me. No need for an EdT.

**john parker** · 10-01-2011, 10:53 AM

Caswell-Massey Sandalwood is very nice and on the dryish side. C-M Tricorn is sandalwood with amber; sweet side. Crabtree & Evelyn has a nice sandalwood that is also on the dry side. TOBS and D.R. Harris are both spicy; like them both. Had a sample of Tam Dao and thought it was very "authentic" smelling despite any cedar side notes. SMK sounds interesting; wish he had a web site up.