Sandalo

I recently read somewhere on Instagram the following quote: "All of the language around fragrance is kind of like wine. That's why short-form video and online shopping are so great, because you can strip away all of that jargon and just talk about how it makes you feel - which is what people buy fragrances for." I found it to be so utterly depressing. It suggests a near contempt for any intellectual examination, a resolute dismissal of any emotional expression in written or spoken form. That pesky jargon—mucking up my 'feels,' just give me easy words and easy dopamine hits. No, it isn't like wine. And feelings surely aren't the only reason why buy fragrances, at least if we are looking from outside the parameters of market research (it was an apparent business firm that shared the quote). Yet it also isn't some revelation that mood and emotion is what sells fragrance—it's been like that since time immemorial. So why not acknowledge the cerebral and the visceral of scent. Hell, blend it all together seamlessly, whether through short-form video or long-form writing. I will opt for medium-form writing with Etro Sandalo, as my vintage bottle that I scored in a recent perfume swap fires all the feeling and thinking neurons. It has integrity, delivering on its promise as a sandalwood of the Mysore sort. It starts with an invigoratingly pungent punch, smoothing over to a soft and buttery veil of comfort. There is a rosy highlight, but it is subtle, and at its core there is that bygone well-groomed, fougère-adjacent muskiness that reminds me of the great Arden Men Sandalwood. Did I use enough jargon? Maybe I should get into how much of the sesquiterpene santalol I smell here, or will that lose you? Perhaps I can just talk about how it makes me feel? I could create an accompanying mood board. Well, to put it plainly, Sandalo makes me feel happy, as most fragrances that I enjoy do. But language and poetry and musing and analysis make me happy, too.

Interesting to see such an array of reviews here... everything from simple to complex, light to heavy, soft/soapy to strong incense. I have to wonder if there have been changes to the formulation over time. I bought the older gold cap version. In short, this is a very nice moderately light wearing sandalwood based fragrance. The patchouli isn't harsh or dirty (unless my nose is biased!). A bit linear, not evolving much over time. It's a little spicy with incense, and a touch powdery, but it's so easy going. Alas, it's also a bit fleeting. I've found longevity to be below average. But that's OK. Not every fragrance needs to be a bomb that lasts for over half a day. There is a certain "Etro vibe" to this, akin to other fragrances like Shaal Nur and Ambra. It's a finely blended fragrance using quality ingredients. Etro bottles are terrific too (smallest feeling 100ml bottles I've seen yet). Etro isn't talked about much around here, but it's a remarkably good brand. Rather overpriced in retail stores, but easy to find discounted on-line. And a wide range of fragrances that are sure to please. Rating: 7.9/10

Sandalo is a staple in my collection, although if you ask me I wouldn't be even excited about it. It's creamy, a bit sour, a little bit smoky, quite inoffensive, but present, even though its silage is minimal. But I keep reaching for Sandalo more often than many scents I consider favorites. Turns out that I need this milky-woody cuddliness more often than I realize, even though there's not much to say about it. A familiar scent: not because it's so common, it's been just... familiar from the very beginning. It has this old world serenity, as opposed to the anxious burnt atmosphere of Santal 33 or Black Afgano. I like both styles: they're like day and night, routine and adventure. I guess one needs both in their life, it's just that the quiet ones employ a different kind of mastery: not so obvious, yet undeniably there, crafted under a different set of rules. Here, my humble praise for Sandalo.

There’s a type of fragrance that feels like have a linear scent but actually gives you a journey through their existence in your skin. And this one is one of them. This is maybe the most sandalwoodish santal fragrance in my collection. Opened with such pungent woody sandalwood with an Etro DNA that gives you a herbacious nuance. After several minutes it become slightly boozy and smoky. The journey continue, and after 30 minutes it’s evolved to a powdery warm scent. The sillage is may moderate but the longevity is amazing. First released in 1989 but mine is younger with silver cap.

Topnotes: Interesting, bordering on weird! Sour, dusty, woods. Intensely powdery and a little animalic. A little milky or latex-like. Slightly green, a little like fresh-split logs. Addictive. Heart & Base: Warm, very musky, dry, extremely woody. Herbal, slightly spicy. The faintest echos of something "barbershop." Subtle patchouli. Not at all sweet. "Vintage smelling." "your skin but better" smelling. Unisex. Understated, simple, mysterious, natural, musky... this sort of thing is my bag, baby.

I believe this has been reformulated. Finally tracked down the gold cap version in red/orange parsley box. I agree that this is a soft buttery perfume based on sandalwood and amber.. linear but warm and comforting. It gives a feeling of wearing a veil.. Very elegant and discreet. I cannot pick up the listed citrus notes. Overall, it is very different from today's piercing wood shaving "sandalwood" perfumes.

I ordered a test sample of this, and I will definitely get a bottle. Sandalwood is one of my favourite notes in scents, and this fragrance is true to its name. I find it rather feminine though, not quite unisex. A bit soapy, a bit sweet, some flowers, only a hint of citrus, and lots of sandalwood. Perfect for the - rare - days when I don't feel like Kenzo Jungle Elephant.

This is a classic for a reason! Sandalo Etro is warm, inviting, and has this beautiful powdery sandalwood note that lingers all day. Perfect for any occasion.

I have a very long list of wants and needs when it comes to brands or perfume Houses. My aim is to acquire at least ONE full size scent from each on my special list. This just happens to be my 3rd and final fragrance from Etro. Sandalo is just "what it is" , all sandalwood. I find it hard to smell anything other than sandalwood, or is it because I find its longevity in terms pf presence, short. Like my previous 2 Etro's this became a room scent for me (this should not be seen as a negative), which I have finally finished, rather than a personal fragrance. I am glad I was lucky enough to experience Etro but not sure I will go back for more.

I love Etro, and I love sandalwood, but this specific Sandalo is just a like. It’s very nice, but unfortunately there is a strong aftershave connotation that prevents me from loving it. Still I enjoy it quite a lot. It’s actually my second bottle. The first one was a vintage EDC, and that was way milkier and closer to my taste. Other than that, typical Etro high quality materials and blend in the EDT. Sacred Wood, Samsara, Omnia, Nu (edp) and Smuggler’s Soul are the true santal pleasures of mine. For now. Next on my list - Santal Noir and Bois des Iles. ***(**)

I get a good sandalwood, with a nice citrus and bitter opening full of pencils and cedar. Lavender, petitgrain, patchouli complete with ancient vibrations this classic, dry and amber sandalwood that juggles the powdery base notes full of soapy, medicinal and disinfected musk. Cute.

Questo è prettamente maschile, serio, affascinante ed elegante. In genere a me non piace questo stile,però per chi lo ama,Sandalo di etro è veramente buono. Parlo della versione intermedia,col tappo dorato ed etichetta quadrata.

If you like soft,subtle slightly woody,and earthy scents then you will be in heaven. For myself I need a little more bang. The opening is full of light citrus notes and amber before the patch and wood kicks in. Well not really kicking but tip toes in. Very low sillage and about 3-4 hours of longevity. I can see more women liking this than men.

smelled like church insence to me, wich I dislike so this is not a scent for me

Soft? You people are crazy. There is nothing soft about this. It's hardcore sandalwood, almost fetish like. It's very animalistic to me for some reason and if you smell it to close during the first few hours, especially during the first 30 minutes you might even be disgusted due to smell that reminds one of animal urine. The keyword was too close. If you smell it from a distance, I mean at least half an arm away (preferably more) then it DOES smell soft/soapy and very pleasant. The closer you come the harsher it gets. I don't know, I somehow like the roughness of it. It's very interesting. The rose is perfectly dosed in my opinion. The citrusy scents will vanish during the drydown. It's indeed on the linear side as others have pointed. During the first few hours the patchouli is there, but kind of difficult to locate. It gets easier after a while though.

Etro Sandalo is not complicated and heavy. It's delicate like a wood landscape paintend pastels. Sweetly, easily and drily tree sandalwood. Cedar, musk and ambergris be placed in background and they add composition of warm humidity and sharp green notes. Integrity is quiet, nice, neither too cream, neither too sweet as in other perfume with notes of sandalwood. I feel a bit of whisky theses. Composition could indicate, that there is smell for men. However, I use willfully it, because it is subtle, natural. It are helped to concentrate me. Bewitches me its naturalness and simplicity. It does not smell as perfume. It smells as quiet afternoon. I felt as if I rested in shadow of exotic tree. Simple, easy, but very curious smell. It is possible say about it : wood -oriental simplicity noble.

I have recently acquired a bottle of the vintage Sandalo EDC that came in the the red paisley box. The animalic notes in this are so strong that they made me jump back when I opened the cap! Grossmith's are the only other scents that have such fatty animal notes up front/stuck in the tubing. Notes cite Musk, but this feels like Civet to me. Thankfully, after ten or so minutes, the animal notes calm down and blend seamlessly with the herbal, floral, and woodsy facets. Despite bring quite a forceful scent in both character and concentration, Sandalo is harmonically balanced, and the patchouli is in a modest proportion. Classically beautiful; a shame they are using true animal ingredients, which will prevent me from acquiring a full bottle.

This is a wonderful fragrance. I was quite impressed with this offering;. I was not at all looking to buy, however, after taking a sniff of this stuff I had to buy. The drydown is that of powdery and sandalwood; (very similar to Sandalwood by The Art of Shaving) very soft, yet, masculine. You have got to try this. This is a very long lasting fragrance....all day. My wife loved this! This fragrance is very mild, not at all aggressive, however, it does give its 75 cents though. Update; Etro Sandalo is the non-aggressive version of Amouage Epic. Epic is great and long-lasting with a bit more sillage, whereas Etro's Sandalo snuggles next to you!

To make a good perfume with the specific note of sandalwood is not easy. I love sandalwood. It reminds me of my youth when we had sandalwood paper booklets to perfume the clothing in the dresser. So i know natural sandalwood. To put it in a perfume equals great art and alchemy. Sandal has from its nature a dry balmy scent that changes into a sweet note. With all the respect for this house , this is to much. Yes it has a sandal note but it is to strong and synthetic. I agree with the previous reviewer; the patchouli is very prominent and gives that synthetic aromatic note and destroys the balance of the sandal note.

Given the name, I was expecting sandalwood, but this is more of a light, slightly soapy, patchouli-vanilla scent. After a few minutes it becomes drier and more transparent, like a thin veil of woody vanilla musk. Yes, there’s a tinge of sandalwood in it, but it’s in the form of dry soap, not a warm wood. I don’t know the concentration of my sample, but I’m guessing it’s an EdT since its never very powerful and only lasts a few hours. It’s a nice, light, conservative, wearable fragrance, but there are other sandalwood compositions that I prefer.