Santos de Cartier

In the current age that has been thoroughly sapped of nuance, where the Art of Manliness gave way to the repugnant Manosphere and now the appalling "lookmaxxing" trend, discussions of masculinity are either overzealous and bastardized on one end and reviled and rejected on the other (only one flavor: toxic). In the spectrum of expression, a celebration of it may deemed as "coded" as one way or the other, as the youth would say. Yet, I refuse to see it through exclusively a negative lens. I am a man after all, and it seems rather odd to feel pressured to reconcile with, so to speak, that part of me. I firmly believe that masculine traits are just as much a glue that holds together societies as feminine traits, each with their virtues and principles. Which is why I have long had a fondness for how masculinity has been conveyed in fragrances marketed to the male of the species, and they have been done so in certainly more than one way. Santos, almost in response to bolder members of its cohort that were released the same year, chooses not swagger but rather understated, yet confident strides. if Kouros is the embodiment of male sexuality, and Chanel Antaeus of male seduction, Santos, while sensual in its own right, is more steeped in dignity and self-control. Sweetly aromatic, punctuated with piquant juniper and zesty-green basil, smoothed out with lavender, Santos is relatively lighthearted in demeanor. If it were a personality, it would be magnanimous. It knows its power, but chooses not to wield it. For that reason, its spiced core, its cedar and sandalwood interior reveals a more sensitive side to its density. Nice guys finish last, and Santos, with all its tempered beauty, has always been overshadowed by its more macho peers, but it is by no means a mere footnote. In tact, it remains in production today, still holding it own. The vintage, on the other hand, is quite the treasure.

Santos de Cartier men's cologne has been my absolute favourite since it was first introduced in 1981 or 1982. Yes, when originally released, it came in a sexier designer bottle, with a removable/replaceable brown and gold glass bottle, framed inside a gold-plated outer case with faux gold screw heads. I can recall paying as much as £180 for a 100Ml bottle back in the early/mid 1980's in Selfridges. Over the many years I've been purchasing it, the bottle design has got a little plainer (now in a striated black glass bottle with small chrome/silver accents). I've also noticed that the overall strength and staying power of the fragrance has been slightly reduced over the years, but the price has dramatically reduced in real terms, with Cartier London now selling 100Ml for £88.00 plus P&P. All that being said, it remains by far the one fragrance I simply adore. Even after all these years I'm frequently told by others how much they love the smell and asking for the maker's name. It has this unique exotic quality to the smell, with hints of tropical woods and exotic spices. I find the aroma lasts at high strength levels for at least 6 hours and a has a clearly noticeable, lingering smell, even after 12 to 24 hours. As for the more recent Santos de Cartier Concentree, it smells pretty dreadful ~ I don't know why they bothered! Over many years I've tried and liked or loathed many high-end designer fragrances. The only ones that stood out were Christian Dior Eau Sauvage eau de parfum for men, but the recent redesign of the fragrance has ruined it, so I always try to buy only the original formulation. I'm currently awaiting orders of samples from Amouage and Acqua di Parma, so I can report on these at a later date. As for Creed Aventus, I'm not willing to pay £285 for a scent that lasts less than an hour and has hints of Fairy liquid, dead weeds, Toilet Duck and compost!

I have an old 30ml travel spray of Santos from last century - a glass rechargeable flacon in a container with the distinctive gold frame and gold screws reminiscent of Cartier's iconic Santos watch, named after Brazilian aviator and inventor Alberto Santos Dumont. The presentation clearly identifies Santos as a luxury product, whose quality is apparent. Santos is an elegant, classic gentleman's fragrance, a complex blend that opens with a flourish of aromatics and juniper, then spices on a bed of woods. Beyond that my inexpert nose is unable to discern individual components, but unless I'm imagining it there seems to be an animalic note that reminds me of Portos by Balenciaga which I don't detect in the later version. The lavender is apparently an olfactory metaphor for steel, and the spices allude to gold, a reference to the stainless steel and gold of the legendary Santos wristwatch. The combination of aromatics in this is reminiscent of Gianfranco Ferre's Pontaccio 21. The dry down is sublime - vetiver, patchouli, woods, enhanced with a dry vanilla and gently resinous amber. Santos is a very classy gentleman's fragrance that embodies the traditions of Western perfumery, polite and inoffensive . Extremely versatile, Santos works for any occasion - formal, informal, casual, even romantic and is office-friendly and work safe. Performance is above average, and in light of its high quality, Santos is excellent value. An elegant, classic and timeless fougère that does not smell dated, Santos is perhaps best suited to a confident gentleman of style - this is the fragrance of a man who has his shit together.

If I close my eyes, I can see my Grandfather, with his strongly brewed and very sweet mug of coffee, sitting on the porch with his rolled tobacco between his tar stained fingers, drawing in and exhaling his cloud of fumes. Other times he may be passionately retelling an adventure from a bygone era or cracking a joke with his sarcastic sense of humor that you never really knew if the joke was on you. About 5 years ago I found a miniature 4ml bottle amongst my Uncles belongings (Gramps son), which he'd left behind in a box. I put it away thinking he may come back for it but never did. Tonight, while moving things about I came across the bottle and dabbed the tiniest amount on the top of my hand as I was already wearing Miss Dior. I don't know what I smell, all I know is that this is what my Grandpa smelled like. It smells soo familiar that it takes me right back, as though Grandpa has never left this earth. It smells exactly the way I remember, on the collar of his shirts and church suit jackets, his pillows. I use to love wrapping myself up in his big stately mahogany bed, which stood in the most Northern room so would be drenched in sun all day. You would fall asleep in the warmth of the sun, with this scent in your nose. Even his leather bag, wallet and his tobacco bag would have an air of this scent around it. Do I smell Leather? Tobacco? Coffee? Sunshine? Or is just my extremely vivid memory scent of Gramps? Whatever the notes are, it is exactly as I remember Gramps. Wise, caring, comforting, warm and charming.

I'd call Santos a gentle powerhouse. Especially Polo was very guilty at being in your face. Santos is a bit different. Much like Cartier timepieces, this is a understated and subtle scent. The point here is to show subtle class. This is not the scent for a bón vivant. The opening is a very clean lavender-citrus. The citrus is a bit dusty and musky, and compliments the lavender. Pepper, nutmeg and various spices join the opening, and gives the whole composition a very spicy and malty feel. The base is a thick accord of patchouli, sandalwood, amber and coconut. All the 80s players are here, in big and bold form. A scent this complex could easily loose itself, but it's beautifully tied together. It's quite radiant, yet never imposing. If I was so to sum up Santos in it's end stage, it'd be spicy woods. There is one caveat. If you are in the market for a big bold 80s scent, I am not sure if this is for you. Whilst Santos has castoreum and other musks, everything is treated with care. The end result is a scent that is quite hard to actually pull notes out of, instead it all plays as one big scent. If you were looking for a 80s powerhouse, I'd perhaps look at Kouros instead. If you do want a 80s gentleman scent, then give this a try. It's fantastic. The Concentreé version is no slouch either. It's a greener version of Santos, and more complex. Personally I prefer the original. Longevity is excellent - 12+ hours. Rating: 9.5/10

Okay so I was REALLY late to the party on this one only by 30 odd years but I've finally tried Santos de Cartier. I don't know why really? I think it's because despite being aware of their fragrance pedigree, I'd never really noticed Cartier fragrances in stores until the era of Roadster and the like. What an interesting fragrance, many commenting about the reformulation. (which obviously I'm not aware of) Speaking objectively I think the new version is great and if it's a pale shadow of the original then it must've been something really special back in the day. I got a peppery, lavender and coffee vibe from this fragrance sandalwood, cedar and vanilla are prominent and I even get a hint of coconut too. I've not smelled anything like this before...truly unique but still has a dated feel possibly because of the geranium and carnation notes which were commonplace in many men's 70's 80's fragrances...I don't know? I did get a fleeting resemblance to a couple of fragrances from perfumers I admire...just in mood rather than anything else, obviously Santos de Cartier predates them all by a long way. Dior Eau Noire by Francis Kurkdjian (coffee/lavender) and Prada Luna Rossa extreme (pepper/amber/lavender) by Daniella Andrier. Anyway, longevity is good not too heavy or invasive in projection terms I really like this fragrance a lot.

As time passes, grows in me the idea that masculine and feminine are unnecessary things that can break the balance or ruin a good composition... Well, it doesn't apply to this one. Santos is a beautiful composition that happens to be very masculine. It's hard for me to write about all of those notes. Is not an orchestra hit, some notes sing solos, some others make chords. I specially enjoy sandalwood, coconut and patchouli. I find lavender too present, but love it that way. It's a long lasting good experience. On a second thought, it would be very nice on a woman, who says what is masculine, anyway? *** Conforme pasa el tiempo, crece en mí la idea de que masculino y femenino son cosas innecesarias que pueden romper el balance o arruinar una buena composición... bien, eso no aplica para esta. Santos es una bella composición que resulta ser muy masculina. Me resulta difícil escribir sobre todas esas notas. No es un golpe de orquesta, algunas cantan solas y otras hacen acordes. Disfruto especialmente el sándalo, coco y pachulí. La lavanda me parece demasiado presente, pero me encanta de ese modo. Es una buena experiencia de larga duración. Pensándolo bien, sería agradable en una mujer, en todo caso, ¿quién dice qué es masculino?

Dark and stormy or sultry and balmy, that is how Santos hits me. This is a classy fragrance that is easy to dismiss or forget, but after one wearing in the cool night air you realize you are wearing a real classy, smooth yet masculine fragrance. Santos opens with a rich blast of juniper, sandalwood and lavender. The lemon verbena and basil waste no time punching up this fragrance with some herbal freshness. Amber, coconut, patchouli and nutmeg add to the woody, spicy richness of the fragrance, giving it another dimension. The vetiver and vanilla come through strongly and add some earthy sweetness to this scent. The lavender and cedar round out this scent giving it a strong base and finish. Santos is a great cool weather evening fragrance, whether indoors or out. This fragrance wears well under a sweater or shirt and is a real mature, sophisticated scent that will draw in that special someone and definitely make an impression on others. This is a stepping out fragrance so forget the office. This fragrance veers more masculine and is great for the 30 and up crowd. Give Santos a few sprays when it is date night and you want to add a little tall dark and handsome to your persona!

I am the proud owner of a 50 ml. bottle of Santos de Cartier that is 42% full, which my brother gave to me. A guy told me my bottle belongs to a batch produced in 1995 or 1996. Its aroma is so sensational and refined that it can compete, without hesitation, against many niche perfumes. The most prominent notes are pepper, lavender, basil, vetiver, and sandalwood. This great elixir provides moderate projection and sillage plus 7-9 hour longevity. Throughout its performance, you can feel a boozy accord resembling a cognac of exceptional quality, which enhances the undeniable elegance of the juice. At times, it seems that you're smelling some very luxurious shaving foam. Despite having the vigor and presence of the men's perfume icons made in the eighties, Santos de Cartier (surprisingly) does not have a single animalic note, which does not compromise its inherent masculinity. To me, this is the perfume that James Bond would use or, in any case, a high-class man with great style and impeccable manners. Santos de Cartier is a classic that's come here to stay and that every man who likes perfumes (either classic or modern) must try sometime.

I am completely in love...with a cologne!! It’s been a while since I tried a fragrance that could bring me so much desire of buying it. I have met Santos in an event, where a friend of mine was wearing it and I liked a lot the scent that exuded into the place. One day, visiting his house, he gave me a sample of it. Santos is an extremely classic, however modern cologne. At the moment I applied it on my skin, I thought: “another cousin of Azzaro Pour Homme”. But later, as time goes by, it started to create a creamy and vanilla yummy base, well blended with the coconut and the patchouli notes. Duly headed by herbal notes and a delicious lavender, Santos brought me the sensation of power and luxury that only a good fragrance can bring to a man. And the most intriguing is that it did not become linear on my skin. As the hours passed by, more and more it exuded and changed its nuances, according to the movements of my body. Besides that, the lasting is freaking huge! Santos is a true masterpiece of Cartier. I would risk saying that it is the ideal jewel from Cartier to the men’s body!

Out of all the dark manly male perfumes of the 80's like Zino, Azzaro, Antaeus, Trussardi etc., this is my favourite, this is the best for me! I have the vintage original formula but was afraid that it's a very mature, too serious perfume, but once when I was around 30, I wore it for a date. Some hours later my date asked me what was my perfume and I started to explain myself that it's the first time I wear it and I know it's too old manish. But it came out that my date loved it! It's not old smelling, yet it has an old school vibe for it's not sweet and fresh, however Santos is very well composed, natural, it really smells like a perfume and not like some food, pastry or candy. To whom I recommend? Anyone and everyone! :) It smells marvellous, manly but not brutal (like Kouros which I adore too), it's the real "gentle"man ;) My words are for the vintage formulation, never tried any recent reformulations. Ps. always felt like it's a coffee perfume, somehow I sense coffee from the symphony of the notes, yet it doesn't contain coffee note, strange :)

Sandalwood is still one of my most favorite notes. I cannot get enough of it. And it's just astounding how many fragrance variations can be made with sandalwood in the base. I thought I'd wrapped it all up when I found D&G By Man and Gucci Envy. But then a vintage bottle of Santos de Cartier fell in my lap. This is the dressed up version with brushed silver metal casing and gold accents secured with flush faux screws. The very high end luxury presentation in Remy Martin like padded red faux leather box does not disappoint for what is inside. Sandalwood and lavender go so well together. Add on some peppery spices, herbs, richness from amber, patchouli, vetiver, and a little sweetness of coconut and vanilla, and something magical happens. Bold and beautiful. I sampled the recent version and it's so sad what Cartier did to it. Definitely make a point of trying the vintage if you can. Fragrance 9.2 / Value 8.5

Dear Readers, This fragrance is seductive ,assertive and elegant with its aromatic mysterious chic male scent that's is so sexy without being all over you nose and creating headaches. this is very good gentlemen's fragrance that I have admired on alot of men for years but a shamed that Santos by Cartier doesn't fancy me as much as I did him. I tried over the years from teenage years to now, I was very hopeful me and Santos will work out but no, the chemistry of my body brought out the sweeter side of it that looking at Fragantica solved the mystery note, it was Coconut ! Yes a very suave scent of coconut ,it isn't bad at all smelled very suave and sweet but its not what I had in mind so I took the hint me and Santos will never be but I will always admire the scent on other men who can pull it off this very sophisticated male scent, MMmmmmMMm.

Cartier Santos EDT is an excellent spicy herbal cologne from start to finish, perfect for cool weather. The sharp smoky galbanum and juniper top reminds me of a toned-down Ralph Lauren Polo, but later it diverges greatly. Where Polo stays dry and austere, Santos picks up warm pepper, nutmeg, and carnation notes in the heart, then finishes with off-dry patchouli, vanilla, and cedar with lingering spicy notes. Strength and longevity are excellent. I have only the recent release in the dark grey bottle so I can't address reformulation directly, but I grow tired of old fans of a scent bashing "reformulations". A current customer isn't buying a memory from the 80s, they are buying a scent. The current Santos (2013) is classy, distinctive, lasts well, and just plain smells great.

I guess, suffice to say, the early 80's is starting to become retro to me. This is a gorgeous fragrance! I think that some of these older fragrances don't inspire us to search them out as we've become more accustomed to new, niche perfume houses. Too bad because there's still some great gems out there...like this. Honestly, with a name like Cartier I think of arrogance & jewelry and it does not elicite me to sniff them out. Ironically, it captivated me. So today while out on my weekend hunt, my fragrance friend wanted me to try this and he insisted on spraying my arm. Moments later I was hooked! It's beautiful, masculine, and quite delicious...semi-sweet/woody. I wish I could drink this. Liquid gold. JG 051912 Rating: 9/10 for the Concentre and 10/10 for the EDT

My grandmother gave me a bottle of this a couple years ago after my grandfather passed away. This was new in the box and appears to be an original formulation. The box was a nice red leather case with a felt-like lining where the bottle went. I am a fan of many variety of scents, with a particular affinity for vintage and "classic" scents and found this one to be amazing. The top notes of juniper and basil are strong while the citrus ones seem to be secondary. This fragrance has a nice classic herbal aroma as it dries down and its woody, musky base lasts for hours. I have not tried the newer formula of this and after experiencing the original would fear that it faces the fate of so many other fragrances that are a shadow of their former selves.

I picked up my new Santos Concentree bottle today. I love this fragrance. Masculine, classy, and very elegant. I think you must wear a chic attire when wearing this scent. At least a white iron shirt, and polished leather shoes. I think this is one of the best 80ies scent, along with Antaeus and Kouros. Some will say this is a "old man" scent. In my opinion it's more about personal style. With the right attire, attitude and style, I think guys from 20 and up can pull it off. It will give you a very manly,classy aura. In comparition with the regular edt, I prefer the Concentree. It last longer,and it seems better blended. Longevity : Very good. Sillage: Moderate. -A timeless elegant scent for classy gentlemen. Thumbs up!

I love this perfume, simply the best and most elegant scent in the world. The scent of kings, sheiks,emirs,dandies,aristocrats,millionaires.... Simply love it, ELEGANCE AT ITS BEST.... This is the perfume that a millionaire that owns a mansion in Monaco,owns a yacht,wears a Santos de Cartier wrist watch and drives a Ferrari or a Lamborghini would use..... My dad introduced me to this wonderful perfume back in the late 80s and early 90s, i was a little boy and i fell in love with Santos de Cartier,my dad used to buy the refills for the metal structure kind of thing,and i always asked him to spray some of that lovely perfume when i was a little kid, and today is my signature scent, and im not that old,hahaha im 26 xD

Amidst the flood of mundane and repetitive perfumes that grace our shelves each year, I believe it's worth taking a trip down memory lane from time to time. It's there that we can uncover treasures like Santos. This fragrance is undeniably masculine, striking, and impeccably balanced. It seamlessly transitions from one phase to the next, capable of surprising with its versatility. In essence, Santos simply smells magnificent. While it's crafted for adventurers, it also exudes sophistication and allure. In my view, it's akin to the Indiana Jones of the perfume realm—perhaps not for everyone, but unquestionably earning a spot on my must-buy list. My rating: Strongly recommended! (7/7)

I am wearing the left over from my old bottle from the 90's. I got a couple new ones, the regular version and the concentree, just to compare them. The regular version, comes in the exactly same bottle, not the one with the new design, and it smells closer to my old bottle from the 90"s, the concentree version with the new bottle design with the golden finish smells more different, but still I can say is one of the fragrances that has kept most of its feature notes after the reformulation. I normally picture wearing this when you dress up but I dared to wear it today in sport clothes and jeans, so far a complement has come. I still like it a lot. better for cold days.