Indian Sandalwood

Lasts forever particularly for a ‘fresh’ scent, very clean and cologne-y with a persistent woody base. Versatile and good for layering with other scents or good for a unisex ‘expensive’ smell you could wear probably anywhere - to work, dinner, on holiday. Shame it’s discontinued as this is a real workhorse, the kind of fragrance that probably won’t be your signature but will always have a place in your stash.

Tested it expecting it to be like the original, but it's different, spicier, less sharp, and more soapy. Lavender and cinnamon. It is yummy, got about three hours from it.

I really am taken by this. It has an air of undeniable elegance - like a very expensive soap or room spray. Evocative of walking into a Crabtree & Evelyn shop in fact. Something of a temptation if passing. Quite a fresh opening which develops into light woody, spicy notes. Something of a chamomile feel about the florals . The sandalwood is definitely there - just quietly so - contributing a subtle smokey-wood to a somewhat soapy dry down. Combines really well with the lavender. Sillage and longevity are typically poor for most scents in this IFRA age. So, I'm not of the opinion this is especially bad. Just that I believe a skin scent an hour post-application (which is what I'm experiencing) in warm summer weather is pretty typical. But obviously personal and environmental factors play into the longevity of this in a big way. This is always and without fail complimented when worn. I would say with some certainty it is perfect for romantic, formal, even sombre situations - interviews, funerals, or should misfortune so strike, a court appearance. Concerning the latter, your council could at least demonstrate you to be a person of discretion and irreproachable taste. (Must count for something in your favour). I often spray my palms before lights-out, when a restful aura descends and engulfs me in the moments prior to sleep. Apart from the common flaw of longevity (which is especially regrettable), this is otherwise exquisite. Already re-purchased - which speaks for itself.

My sister used to give me the old C&E Extract of Mysore Sandalwood every Christmas and birthday, then their wonderful (synthetic) “Sandalwood” which replaced it, and most recently C&E Indian Sandalwood cologne. A very pleasant and straightforward Indian sandalwood cologne that was always a pleasure to wear and performed infinitely better than its better known predecessor. Even though the earlier version was called “Extract of Mysore Sandalwood” it was more like an eau fraiche - for years I used to apply it after a morning shower and by the time I arrived at school, uni or work it was undetectable. The latest version was a bit more complex, although the main sandalwood note is identical, and its performance is much better, and closer to an EDT. It’s a straightforward, unpretentious, traditional men’s sandalwood cologne. If you’re looking for a good alternative, Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood cologne is an excellent EDC (and one of my favourites), and Floris Santal (which Prince Charles used to wear) is a slightly more expensive option with superior performance in an EDT. And you’re after something a bit more unisex there’s Fragonard Santal.

I bought this one when my husband was running out of his signature C&E Sandalwood. As soon as I smelled it on him, I knew it wasn't the same thing he'd been using. It can't hold a candle to the now discontinued C&E Sandalwood or the older and now impossible to find C&E Mysore Sandalwood (I have a partial bottle that I use sparingly in hopes of always having it available). I understand that they're trying to fill a need and keep their customers happy. It's not bad but sandalwood isn't the star of this one. It has a slightly 'woodsy' scent but it doesn't smell like the true sandalwood smell I first fell in love with as a child. It starts out more pungent and spicy then quickly fades into nothingness. It isn't even a 'skin scent' after an hour or so. It's just gone. As soon I realized they'd changed the scent to this, I went online and bought every EDT, shower gel, shaving cream and shaving soap I could find in the now discontinued TRUE sandalwood.