Arden Men Sandalwood

A classic rendition of sandalwood in the abstract, Arden Men Sandalwood feels very much like an aromatic of the era, like Rochas Moustache, YSL Pour Homme, Gentleman Givenchy, and the like, that is built around a core of sandalwood. This is not one that highlights sandalwood in the forefront of the composition, but is present throughout the development and especially in the dry down as the backbone. Actually, this showcases the synergy that can come from lavender paired with sandalwood, as the former is prevalent all the way into its heart, with usual aromatics accompanying it—including a geranium that is quite prominent on my skin. This is so much so that one might almost wonder where the sandalwood is at all. However, it reveals itself as a buttery warmth over time, with an especially intriguing point about an hour in where there's interplay with clary sage. This unique stage really resonates with me and I always look forward to this; there is something wistful about it, even though its mid-century futurism/optimism must have been perceived as the "fresh, clean, and put together" during its heyday. The sandalwood blooms more over time with musks and moss, and it becomes very evident that this is very much an ode: the lingering skin scent is truly terrific.

An old-school perfume worth rediscovering. Arden Sandalwood has the typical scent of an old-fashioned perfume, characterized by sandalwood and lavender. It smells clean, well-crafted in its simplicity, and is in the style of Monsieur de Givenchy, but less citrusy and more woody. Maybe it's similar to Chanel pour monsieur because of the oakmoss. It's certainly not the perfume a guy would wear today to impress girls, but it's more wearable than many more celebrated vintage perfumes. The performance is quite good; I was expecting a fleeting cologne, but instead it has good projection and longevity. I'm happy with my version from the early '90s; I don't need to find an older one. Un profumo vintage poco celebrato. Sandalo, lavanda, patchouli e muschio di quercia per un profumo garbato e ben fatto. Chi ama i profumi vintage lo troverà più piacevoli di tanti altri. Scent-8 Longevity - 8 Sillage-8 Versatility-7 Uniqueness-7,5 Compliment factor-7 Presentation-6,5 Backup bottle? Maybe My vote-8 In one word- kindness Alternative - Givenchy pour monsieur, Chanel pour monsieur , pour un homme de caron The review is based on a bottle from the early 90s

The real bomb of lavender, clary sage and cedar at the beginning, increasing smell of oriental sandalwood little bit later and enveloping scent of opoponax and labdanum at the end...So that is , how in short I can introduce this wonderful cologne. Although the product was made in 1956, completely resisted the passage of time - is universal and timeless. It is the smell of a real man - well-groomed, intelligent, mysterious, who enjoys adventure.What can I say more...?..well..it's obligatory item for all perfume- lovers :-)

Hello everyone. I consider myself very lucky as I happen to own a very old version of this gem. The bottle wasn't full but quite enough.I have never tried the current formula but the original one is just amazing. Sweet, a bit medicinal,very old-school, quite similar to Guerlain's Bois d'Armenie only prettier and without the candy / chocolate note. I feel there is myrrh somewhere. Maybe not. Beautiful anyway. The bottle is lovely too.

Just ordered a bottle and looking forward to it! Couldn't find a vintage one, and guys check out the eBay link beneath the picture, you'll find a couple of Arden Men "Oakwood" EdT's up for sale, apparently vintage ones but I've never heard of the Oakwood fragrance and it's not in the database. Very interresting ;)

The elevator going up to Sterling Cooper undoubtedly smelled of Lucky Strikes and Arden Sandalwood. This is the real McCoy—an authentic, mid-century American cologne. Wear it with a classic grey suit and a narrow tie. NOTE: I have it on good authority that Arden Sandalwood was Don Draper's signature scent. ;-)

Wow this smells really really good. Opening and middle smells sooo good - lavender, herbal, mossy and warm. Gorgeaous drydown with also REAL sandalwood oil, folks! An excellent gentlemans cologne -- warm, very masculine and none-synthetic ;)

a genuine timeless masterpiece! although the formula has changed since 1956 but still smells great! frank sinatra loved also this cologne! Somehow arden men sandalwood remind me of shalimar by guerlain!

Deliciously Quaint ! Pure sandalwood, with ethereal moss. I love it after shower to stay at home.

A pleasant EDC featuring Australian sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum) with light aromatic and floral notes. Described by Elizabeth Arden as a “woody spicy” cologne. Arden for Men Sandalwood creates an impression of freshness with soft floral aspects and some sweetness, anchored by the sandalwood which gradually becomes more prominent. Projection is reasonable for the first hour, longevity is okay for an EDC - maybe 2-3 hours - and it’s inoffensive and pleasant, safe for work, great for post-workout, more suitable for daytime wear. Elizabeth Arden Sandalwood is the most recent incarnation of an icon launched in 1956 as a modestly priced “woody spicy” cologne for men, usually sold in department stores paired with an aftershave, and a pre-shave for electric razors. After WW2, American soldiers returned from Europe with more refined, continental tastes - including an appreciation of men’s fragrance. Since the days of Louis XIV the classic French concept of doing one’s “toilette” (roughly equivalent to “grooming”) as a preliminary to getting dressed, includes the application of perfume as a preliminary. Young American soldiers brought this custom home from Europe. The social impact was enormous: Arden for Men Sandalwood introduced post-war American men to cologne and ultimately made it socially acceptable for men to wear fragrance without others automatically making assumptions about their sexual preference. The vintage formulation is definitely more “woody spicy”, more sandalwoody, and the presentation is stylish and elegant - the vintage bottles are quite beautiful in their own right: splash-on cylindrical glass bottles with shiny gold lettering and logo, housing a honey-coloured juice, crowned with a shiny gold metallic screw top. As the popularity of Sandalwood snowballed the “Arden for Men” line expanded to include “Oakwood”, “Citrus Wood”, “Green Wood” and “Wild Wood”. The original Arden for Men Sandalwood remained popular from its introduction in 1956 through the 1980s. The latest incarnation of Arden Sandalwood seems to have been a tentative first step to revive the “Arden for Men” line, but modern consumers unfamiliar with the pedigree had expectations of a sandalwood cologne that were not met. Not ideal for a blind buy as it might not conform to everyone’s expectations of a sandalwood fragrance, plus it is an EDC, but it’s an interesting piece of history. Arden Men Sandalwood is discontinued but if seeking a similar sandalwood fragrance , Fragonard Santal is an excellent sandalwood EDT (with superior performance)

Recently acquired a vintage boxed set of Arden Sandalwood - a red and black box comprising aftershave and cologne - the packaging is stylish and timeless, the bottles are very classy and have saucer shaped tops that have ceramic feel to them, the earlier version is a bit different and makes an interesting historical study in mass market men’s fragrances. The most recent version is an update of the classic Arden for Men Sandalwood (from 1956), rather than a modern interpretation of a sandalwood cologne, which might confuse modern consumers unfamiliar with the original. The vintage version has a bit more resinous depth but the same floral aspect. It is a little bit woodier than the later version but the DNA is unmistakable. It’s not the sort of sandalwood most people would think of, judging by the name alone, but the sandalwood note is instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up in the 1970s with family members who wore mass market colognes like “Wood Grain”. The sandalwood note in the recent version is very light and natural reminiscent of Santalum Spicatum (Australian Sandalwood) - so anyone looking for a “head shop” Mysore-style Indian sandalwood will be sorely disappointed. I used to keep Arden Sandalwood in a desk drawer at work for the occasional refresher spritz whenever necessary. It’s a very simple WYSIWG (what you see is what you get) cologne that doesn’t evolve, has modest sillage and performance, won’t offend or intrude and allows the wearer to feel fresh. Its modest price placed it somewhere between drugstore cheapies and the budget designer fragrances and considering the long history of Arden Sandalwood in postwar America and how popular it was with various Golden Age icons, it is sad that it has been discontinued. Perhaps I’m mistaken but it looks like Elizabeth Arden has terminated the “Arden for Men” line altogether. Update 19 July 2021: Edited to remove pretentious drivel and irrelevant verbiage.

this fragrance is aromatherapy more than perfume/cologne i've kept three essential oils in my home pretty much all the time for the last 6 years lavender, sandalwood, and tea tree this smells like lavender, which i only use for acne and do not enjoy especially this is not sandalwood so much there's a hint of it in there, but it's heavy on lavender luckily, it's not the piercing medicinal kind i would associate with a type A elderly nurse but it's not sandalwood still, it's grown on me and i'm glad i have it as it layers well with musk it's simple enough to temper sickly sweet things and soft in its herbish ways and means most people would find it pleasing, as do i

I had worn this fragrance in the past, still, I remember the woodiness of sandalwood and patchouli and the mossy-sweet scent of Oakmoss in this mature and majestic cologne for men; some may say is dated, but really it is for the strong heart, those with too little male testosterone in their bodies cannot hold this powerful fragrance, for mature men yes, and also for the men that do not get intimidated wearing what they like, and these men don't look for attention or nominations; when wearing this fragrance just be proud of being a man that knows what he likes and he is happy and confident to show it.

I bought this blind out of curiosity. It was cheap and I thought why not? As others have noted the opening is quite strong: it is unlike any other opening of any other fragrance I own. It starts very herbal, which I assume is clary sage. After that initial burst it settles doen to be a gentle aromatic woody fragrance, that to me seems a lot more simple in composition that the notes listed above seem to indicate. It has a very clean smell when it has dries down, which is a bit musky, a bit woody, but which has not too much of any one note. It's a very comfortable, non-offensive fragrance.

I am with Flannelman - the first impression is a strong, eye-twitching smell of Indian sandal soap!I love sandalwood, but the first notes were way too much. Luckily, I waited a while and it became a very fresh, soft, clean scent.Though it is not very original, it has something very innocent about it - if you will take patience to wait until the base.

Like Givenchy Vetyver, this smells pure and unfiltered. It is austere and very masculine. The lavender is present but it does not upstage the sandalwood presence. It is unusually bright and limpid for being a sandalwood scent. I prefer Adolfo Dominguez’ sandalwood, but this is very nice with a retro 60’s vibe.

Not a bad smell,but not for me. I gave this to my father in law.I feel it fits an older man (50+).

I acquired a very old bottle that was never used. Fortunately, there is no strong fougere element in this one, and I'd say it is somewhere between EdC and EdT in terms of strength. The fleeting top notes aren't very strong, and what's interesting is that it takes on a slightly mentholated quality, which is not suggested by the listed notes (perhaps this is what is meant by "patchouli," because otherwise I don't get any here). In a sense, it reminds me of a slightly weaker but more natural-smelling AoS Sandalwood (I tried that one about 4 years ago). The sandalwood note is very good but not the dominant player, though it is one of the main players. I'd like to compare it to the latest formulation, considering the reviews that do, but I'm not going to buy a bottle of it just for that purpose. I've tried quite a few sandalwood scents now, and I'd rank this one near the top. However, I'll probably reach for Vintage Tabarome more often than this one, though that one is not as focused on sandalwood as this one is. If you like sandalwood and see an old bottle of this one selling at a reasonable price, I doubt you will be dissatisfied with a "blind buy." UPDATE: The camphorous quality is clear as this develops so I have little doubt that is the patchouli used, the point being that if you don't like vintage Givenchy Gentleman, for example, this might also be problematic for you, though it's certainly much stronger in GG than here.

Arguably the best sandalwood fougere for men, period. Lavender, bergamot, petitgrain, clary sage comprise the top notes, a fresh-spicy burst of citric goodness that lasts all of five minutes before segueing into an opoponax-sweetened coumarin accord, spiced with basil and rounded off with a little labdanum - good on Fragrantica for citing that note in their pyramid! I must have an older bottle because I've read the newer version is lighter on the sandalwood, and that it doesn't show up until a couple hours into the drydown. But reviews of the older version have people commenting on Arden Sandalwood being ALL sandalwood, from the heart to the far-drydown base note. That's what I get. As Shamu points out, this isn't the sweet-creamy type of sandalwood, but a drier sandalwood (although it does have a little natural sweetness to it). There's a nice smoky vetiver note fleshing it out to the end. Guys, they're using real sandalwood oil in this one. Beautiful, beautiful stuff.

I acquired a more recent bottle in a swap for something I really disliked. I didn't expect much, but was pleasantly surprised. No, it's not as powerful as vintage Kouros, but it is at least somewhat interesting and doesn't smell "synthetic" (at least beyond the top notes). There's a bit of Kouros in here, along with a more "classic barbershop" fougere quality, and yes there is a sandalwood note, and it's not terrible (it's just a bit subordinated to the other major accords). The base notes listed suggest it will be sweet and perhaps even syrupy, but I never got anything along those lines. Instead, expect an animalic, mossy, and herbal sandalwood scent, with a fougere accord tacked on for good measure, presumably. The vintage is simpler and more citrus-oriented, with more a more obvious sandalwood note. To call this out of fashion is an understatement, but for those seeking this kind of thing the prices are certainly reasonable.