Santal Précieux (2021)

I really enjoy this and it isnt really the sort of thing I normally go for. The spicy, lactonic opening dries down to a very pleasing, rich and exotic creaminess backed by the woods in the bottom notes. It is very gentle, very refined to my nose. It leans slightly feminine because of the sweeter creaminess but is absolutely unisex because of the woodiness in the lower notes, which give it an understated, slightly smoky classiness that make it absolutely at home in formal wear as well as with more casual outfits. The top and middle reminds me oddly of a slightly sweet, very creamy rice pudding with some Middle Eastern spices in it, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg etc. I really love that as a smell and it manages to walk this line very effectively without ever going properly gourmand, even with the cumin in it. The latter accord should be jarring and out of place here but it isn't. It is a very nicely judged fragrance, as all Carons are. I don't get much pink pepper on this but the papyrus is quite pronounced. Oddly enough the floral notes take a definite back seat to the creamy spices and woody notes. I get some rose in the tops and mids but it is not cloying. I cannot get much geranium here. The leathery bottom notes and sandalwood really bring it home in a lovely, almost ambery kind of rich way. The sandalwoods are the undeniable star of the show here as the name would suggest, but it is much more understated and quiet than you would expect and they work very well with the spices and resins as opposed to sitting above them to dominate. Very impressive, refined stuff. It is funny because it should be quite feminine but it isnt. I think it would be a superb choice for layering, but you'd need to choose something floral and a bit sunnier over the top. I would suggest as a slightly oblique choice, Olibanum Gardenia by Bohoboco as a nice choice to push the florals, especially the geranium notes which will go nicely with the strong gardenia the (very underrated but quite challenging) Bohoboco frag has as its central accord. Conversely, the lactonic richness and underlying sweetness of Santal Precioux will work well with the sandalwood, labdanum and resin in the Olibanum Gardenia. As with all Carons I have tried, and the reason I have so much love for this wonderful and historic Parisian house, is that this is amazingly wearable and versatile. You look at the accords and the central DNA and it doesnt look like something very versatile. On first blast it is strident, resinous and spicy and it doesnt infer much wearability for most people but as the nose adjusts the fragrance settles a bit, it opens out and becomes very versatile indeed. You absolutely could wear this to the office. It is also a good choice for something more formal as well. Performance is 6-7 hours on my skin and the spices get stronger in the drydown, but the sandalwoods become less powerful. The woodiness in it gives it a Oud Wood sort of vibe, that means you can absolutely wear it casual with shorts, loafers and a polo shirt as well. Santal Precioux isnt the same as Oud Wood but it has the same central woody theme and slight sweetness (but in a much creamier, spicier way) that makes it attractive in the same way the classic TF always has been. It has a much wider mass appeal than it may first appear on first opening or indeed if you look down the notes. Scent - 8/10 Sillage - 7/10 Drydown - 7/10 Bottle / Packaging - 8/10 Performance - 7/10 39/50

Very easy to wear sandalwood centered scent, with resins and slight milky-leathery qualities. In the opening, for a brief moment it will remind you a little of Santal 33 (mind you, for a brief moment). After, it is mostly "dressed up" smooth a creamy sandalwood. I had Jeux de Peau Serge Lutens a while back and this is probably the closest to it, however, Serge Lutens was heavier, darker and not easy to wear, this one is much easier going. I am not a big fan of Caron brand but this one is solid (this whole new series is actually very interesting, modern but classy and very high quality). If you miss Jeux de Peau and are looking for a more versatile, lighter version - give this one a try! For others, definitely a sample worthy! PS Performance is OK: longevity is there but projection is soft but present for the entire duration (8 hours on me).

Sweet creamy sandalwood with a hint of leather. The dry down is magic, remind me of Papyrus of Maison Crivelli a little bit but deeper and sweeter. Longevity is good (5- 8 hours), silage is strong in the beginning than more discrete. Friends told me I was smelling amazing when I arrived in a park. Its sophisticate. I glad that I bought it. update: reminds me of Tuberouse Astral but SP is better blended and less sweet. Comparing to Paryrus moleculaire, I think its much more strong than Paryrus which is much more easy to wear. SP is dense with leather. It's so addicting. One of the best in my small collection. I like to layer itwith Papyrus moleculaire (Maison Crivelli) and it's fantastic

I hate Santal 33 so much that I have a fear of accidentally putting anything even close to it on my skin. However similarly this opens to the aforementioned ghastly perfume, the resemblance is surface only and doesn't last long. This perfume is subtle, complex and elegant. It's strong, but changes and evolves over time, incorporating the smokey, incensey elements as the light floral touch subsides. Where Santal 33 is relentless, linear and nauseating, this is old school fine perfumery which knows how to combine tenacity with restraint. A sandlewood-forward perfume is probably never going to make it into my favourites list, but this is great all the same.

What a marvellous fragrance! Everything from the buttery smooth sandalwood, mature rose to the added milkiness is pure perfection. The warmth and cosiness! Jean Jacques has always been one of my top perfumers - especially Love Potion and Divine by Oriflame that have been staples in my mum's life; as an individual, his creations just speak to me. This entry from Caron is no different. Its compelling! Not loud or scratchy, very subtle but felt. The balance in each note is finely crafted. A scent that everybody can rock. Absolutely sample it. Rating: 10/10;