Santal Eau de Santal Floris

Black pepper ignites immediately, cutting sharply through bright bergamot and lemon with almost peppery bite, whilst cardamom adds a slightly green, almost minty complexity. The grass and lemon notes create an unusually fresh top, suggesting less a sandalwood composition and more a spiced citrus—the sort of opening that catches you off-guard with its vivacity.

The composition settles dramatically as clove and nutmeg emerge with considerable warmth, and the lavender becomes apparent, softening the spice's harder edges without domesticating it entirely. The sandalwood finally becomes prominent here, creeping in with subtle creaminess that plays beautifully against the herbal restraint, creating a dense, almost savoury middle passage that's genuinely compelling.

By the fourth hour, cedarwood dominates, delivering a cool, dry backbone whilst frankincense adds resinous smokiness and the base musk and amber provide lasting warmth. What remains is remarkably refined—a woody, slightly spiced skin scent with exceptional staying power despite the Eau de Toilette concentration, the vetiver and vanilla offering just enough sweetness to prevent austerity.