Santal Cardamome (Sandalwood Cardamom)

Utterly utterly delicious - HOW is this not a cult perfume? Thanks to the estimable corkscrewcurly I've found another love. Honest and straightforward, almost totally linear cardamom + sandalwood - the first burst of pepper is gorgeous, but fades quickly for me, and the primary ingredients shade off almost imperceptibly into the incense. So unlike many spicy things, this isn't full of competing notes and doesn't whisk you away in a swirl of conflicting impressions; there are no rogue fruits or covert vanilla to smooth things out. It feels transparent and fresh, not heavy and cloying. Everything just smells naturally of its gorgeous self - wood and spice are beautifully organic yet never rank or too punchy. 100% unisex in my opinion but if you are even slightly ambivalent about either main note, this won't be for you - they are what it's all about. Too shortlived to be a signature frag for me (skin scent only within an hour, almost totally gone within three) but this is SO GOOD it's one of the few things I would happily carry around a decant of to refresh and pump up again. Just beautiful. Edited to add: it is also, of course, *fantastic* value for money (and available via Marks & Spencer in the UK, so something like a hidden niche treasure on plain view on the high street.)

I bought this one as a present for my mum when I visited Grasse while touring the Fragonard factory; I actually really enjoyed it myself and she absolutely adores how this smell (or she fakes quite well :D). I think this may be leaning mostly unisex, once the feminine aspects in the opening (rose/floral tones and compact powder, aldehydes as well, perhaps?) wears off a bit; as they are balanced with quite masculine woods (a nice, if a bit synthetic, sandalwood) in the base and some spicy notes, although the peppery notes tend to disappear quite quickly in the mid. I don't get any incense or smoky undertone, but the sweetness of the benzoin comes across quite nicely to complement the sandalwood. It projects really nicely around you, around at arm's lenght, and you'll continously get whiffs of it. This is a sensual, warm, sweet and alluring scent - even if it doesn't last all that long for an EdP. To me it is quite versatile, maybe not the best at the peak of the summer or in terribly humid places. That's a love for me!

This is actually stunning. I wasn't too sure at first. At first sniff I get a blast of Cinnamon....which is actually Cardamom.....and black pepper. Its very spicy at first. But not in a bad way. It's actually comforting. Then in the dry down it becomes musky, powdery and mellow with a hint of berries. I don't get much incense at all. This is not a gourmande or sweet fragrance. It is beautiful. It is definitely unisex.....neither leaning masculine or feminine. To me, this is an autumn and winter fragrance due to the spiciness of Cardamom. Could also be worn on a summer night. This fragrance is more dry and powdery. Initially this has potency and protection but then after a few hrs turns more to a skin scent but a very pleasant one. This is not a good blind buy and won't be a crowd pleaser, but those with a nose for fragrance will appreciate this for its beauty. And this is very beautiful.

Perfume with a name like that made by Fragonard, I had to have it. My expectations were rather high. In the best scenario it would have been a version of Nu with a hint of Feu d'Issey on the bed of Tam Dao. Well, it's not. It reminds me of all of them and bunch of other really really good ones. So I can not be disappointed. It's harmonious, aromatic and very woody. Well behaved and polite. Sillage is probably better than I think and longevity is really not that bad. Perfumes like this tend to be on the intimate side and that is part of their charm. They are also percived very differently from one person to another and let's not forget how differently they behave from one skin to another. I'm happy that this type of perfume usually loves me as much as I love them. I'm enjoying it very much. I'm also overspraying it outrageously and not feeling one bit guilty about it.

This is absolutely, hands down, my favorite cardamom perfume of all time. It is the perfect blend of sandalwood and cardamom, where the cardamom never disappears but remains a constant during the entire time it is on my skin. It is not syrupy or dense, but could be more aptly described as aromatic. If you are like me, you like some spice but avoid too much black-peppery, nose tickling stuff. I do notice the scent of pepper here, but it's perfectly subtle. I also notice the laurel quite strongly, which lends a cinnamon-like scent. This could be a creamy masala chai fragrance. Fragonard's website states *rose berries*, not red berries. There is no trace of fruit here--not strawberry, raspberry, or any other berry. Santal Cardamome is so perfect for the cool months, but I also find cardamom to be one of the nicest spices to wear during warmer months as well.