Santalum

I tried this fragrance at a local boutique, and couldn't stop thinking about it for the week following. When I returned the next weekend they were sold out, let me know that Fiele's website was also sold out, and graciously sold me their tester bottle. I owe them my life for that, as Santalum is one of the best sandalwoods I have ever experienced. From initial spritz to drydown Santalum is incredibly creamy. The woods are wet (as compared to other sandalwoods that are usually dried/incense adjacent) and clean, like sun-soaked branches washed onto the shore. The sweetness of the vanillas aren't trying to be the star of the show - rather a rich, fresh vanilla bean compliment. Beautiful - the warm white florals gracefully pair with what Fiele has listed on their site as an "espresso musk" to create a sensual coffee breath scent (never though sensual and coffee breath would be said in the same sentence lol). Tobacco/fire ash cuts through to round everything together. Putting on an old cabin blanket, sitting next to the fireplace while someone smokes a pipe, drinking decaf coffee after chopping wood all day. This is a fragrance I want to wear for my entire life! Fiele is great house to keep an eye on, the other scents I sampled at the boutique were also beautiful, even though Santalum stole the show.

This is gorgeous, I pick up a creamy sandalwood and citrus note in the opening. It’s so creamy it feels tropical, like there’s a soft coconut note in here even though it’s not listed. Santalum is not linear, it changes to a more dominant Jasmine-tonka-vanilla gourmand (if there is such a thing?) in the middle. The oud note is in the background, almost undetectable but it’s what gives this scent legs: a long life on my dry skin means very good performance. Oddly I feel this is all season appropriate. I can easily imagine wearing this in the tropics as well as cold weather. In fact, it’s light so I would love to fall asleep in Santalum’s cloud of yumminess. Edit: I love this so much. High quality Sandalwood from New Caledonia makes this scent feel so warm and pretty.

I've worn this 5 times before reviewing. One reason is: it's difficult to detect. When I use a heavier hand it projects more, but truth be told it is a skin scent (as in, nose to skin in order to detect scent) But I do like it. This is a 'metallic, dry woody' to me. Almost as if a vein of copper is running through it. A West-Coast, free spirit vein meant for those who may have gone skinny dipping once or twice (or who have lost count...) I can't see this fragrance offending anyone (indeed, should anyone detect it on you). I echo thewaterlog below, this house deserves more attention. This is the first of 7 samples that I'll be reviewing, so i"m dong my part.

WOW, WOW, WOW I think this is my favorite floral sandalwood! I can’t get enough of this, it’s beautiful. It’s perdominatly a creamy sandalwood, but the soft Jasmin and creamy orris root puts this one over the top for me! I know in the comments people state it doesn’t last or project and on my skin it’s just the opposite it last a good 8 hours. I’m excited to try more from this brand! Beautiful🌼

This is such a beautiful fragrance from a brand that, I think, deserves much more attention for it's quality. It reminds me of my years living in California, a bohemian vibe but leaning more sophisticated than crunchy granola. Good projection without being cloying, and solid longevity. This is pleasant without being sterile, and has just enough grit to keep it from being too safe.