Velvet Honey Santal

Received mine today. Velvet Honey Santal opens with golden honey that feels luminous rather than sticky. The sandalwood is creamy and cool, smoothing the sweetness so it never turns heavy. A soft balsamic heart rounds it out, and the dry-down glows with amber and resin. Projection is measured; more caress than roar. Don’t walk into this expecting beast mode and you’ll be impressed. If you prefer beast mode, choose the darker bottles from the collection instead. It reads truly unisex because the honey is handled with restraint and polish. One of the most refined honey treatments I’ve smelled, quietly assured. Composed by Aurélien Guichard, who sits in my top three alongside Pierre Bourdon and Quentin Bisch.

Have a travel size set, which includes this fragrance which I was the most interested in. There is definitely a honey component throughout, but there is a smokiness in the beginning which I did not initially like. Fortunately it dries down to be sweet and powdery. It is nice but I don’t believe I would invest in the full size.

As honey is my favourite note, I had to try this one. It’s a powerful, bold and rich honey but with a generous sprinkle of Christmas spices that’s heavy on the cinnamon and cloves. This spicy base carries the same DNA as found in other men’s D&G fragrances. I find it too overpowering as this peppery, clove-infused cinnamon is too sweet for me, as it overwhelms the honey and the sandalwood. So not for honey purists. Velvet Honey Santal is a bold, spicy, clove, cinnamon stick Christmas honey.

This is wow, pulling a little Sensuous Estee Lauder, really warm and creamy sandalwood, honey isn't gourmand but gentle