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.

I spent my gift certificate on a blind buy. And Santal Cardamome is a wonderful, airy cardamon and wood scent. I love that this stays in the musky, spicy oriental genre, never setting foot into a gourmand kitchen spice cabinet. I agree with FirstSense (below), this is perfect in Fall and Spring, and mild Summer weather. Could work for some in Winter, but I like more pronounced, thicker scents in cold weather. I need to spray heavier with this fragrance in order for it to last until the four hour mark, but not a deal breaker. I sprayed 5 times; twice in the air for a walk through, and wrist and neck. It’s present but not overbearing. Surprised this lovely is not a bigger hit. Santal Cardamome has been on my radar for several years, I’m glad I finally landed a bottle. And at a great deal on Amazon, how many bottles of wonderful come in at less than $50?

Santal Cardamome is the definition of well created fresh spicy for me. It is beautifully balanced - cool, calm, unique and transparent. It is so fresh and clean but with a depth. There is something very refined and composed about this perfume, it is almost like a meditation. I do not detect any smoke in this perfume, it's very very clean and genderless. If you're into fresh scent without any trace of heavy floral or gourmand, this is just so well done. This perfume has become kind of a touchstone for me, I started to believe that whoever loves this perfume has a similar taste as mine. I've been trying to find out who was the nose behind this one - I'd love to try everything from that creator.

On my skin and to my nose subjectively, this is a beautiful warm and spicy perfume that has that mulled wine / glühwein / glögg / glögi feeling without being heavy or overwhelming. Effortlessly unisex, interesting and smooth. Reminds me strongly of Lalique Fleur Universelle, but without the make-up bagginess of Lalique’s drydown. Would strongly recommend for explorers! Edit: a few hours later this turns a bit fresher and soapy. Very cool transition.

Clear spicy sandalwood fragance, with a clear cardamome note. I now had it for a few years and, whilst I liked it, I could not smell the subtleties. Today I can clearly smell a beautiful bayleaf note and a touch of incense that give depth to the ‘aeriness’. A great affordable fragrance. Totally unisex.

this is incredible stuff. my new favorite

If you like Rose Lavande from Fragonard’s Garden range, you will probably like this one too. The base is quite similar, but there are smoky, woody nuances to it which sets it well apart from the overwhelming florals in RL I feel the benzoin gives it a minty freshness which adds to the overall genderless and spicy feel this fragrance possesses. I can’t say I am as crazy about it as I am of RL, if I lived in the country and went riding, I would choose this fragrance to wear for those occasions. Projection is 6.5/10 and longevity 6/10. Doesn’t compare to the nuclear quality of RL.

Well isn't this a delightful surprise. This scent takes the warmth of Cardamon I love in JPG le male le parfum, and places into a green,smokey,powdery base that I think I like just a little bit more than le pafum's vanilla lavender. This doesn't have the best lasting power from the few trial sprays I gave it in the shop , but I did try it at the same time as a few other scents so it could be a subtle scent that was lost in the mix. Likely one I'll buy when I've whittled down my existing collection a little bit.

It’s excellent. Especially for its price point it is beautifully blended and sings on fabrics. If you’re into woody and spicy, this is a wonderful low budget choice. Pair with either something sweet to add depth, or something citrusy to make it sparkle on top.

While the price of this perfume is very reasonable, the performance is so poor I cannot in good faith recommend it and over-spraying did not compensate for this. The fragrance itself is a strange composition, for all the spice and wood it is a cool fragrance, very much resembling the colouring of its packaging - tones of blue. It does lean more than a little synthetic with the hefty dose of woody, ambery iso-e-super and a spice that resembles Red Hots candy with intense nutmeggy cardamom on top and something almost like menthol - in my opinion this is not so easy on the nose, rather screechy. It's a very complicated fragrance that seems to shift around for its duration (I long ago read that iso-e-super that will play hide-and-seek due to having a large bulky molecule), and while there is something in the blend that is feminine (aldehydes I guess?) I liken it more to room diffuser scent, or even toilet freshener, than anything ladylike. This is a bargain you can pass up.

I have Maison Lancome Santal Kardomon which is an utterly bizarre creation n wasn't what I was expecting at all. This is more what I was expecting from the name. Unisex fresh spicy, woody, niche type smell, aromatic, fairly natural, not sweet. It's well blended, no single note leaps out at me. There is a very slight minty/menthol feel at first, it's what I first smell when I take the lid off the bottle, but it is very slight n doesn't last. Great packaging, very solid box, interesting scent.

Cardamom, Cardamomy... On my skin, I can smell very strong cardamom and pepper, no incense, and no sandalwood. First sniffing, sprayed, and 1 minute later. It really smells like a sachet of cardamom, pepper, bay leaf. If you add cumin then it could be a masala scent. An hour later, very monotonous. No depth.

Pleasant, clean unisex scent with hints of spices and sandalwood. Not very strong

I absolutely adore this - it's definitely a unisex fragrance but really sophisticated, sexy and kind of surprising on a woman. It's become my signature and my boyfriend is obsessed with it. He says it's the best I've worn so far (and I've been dating him for 6+ years). I have the soap and sometimes he steals it - so that's another vote for it being unisex. I do understand what people have said about the pepper - it's definitely overwhelming when you first spray it. If you give it 15 minutes it settles in quite nicely (but also whatever, pepper is a major food group in my mind.) After 15 min, it becomes warm, spicy and yet still smells clean. It wears close to the skin and you won't be leaving a trail behind you. But according to my friend in Paris- a scent shouldn't overwhelm you because you won't enjoy your food as much. Hah. If you really want it to stick, use the soap and spray it on your clothes. If you use the soap, it stays on the skin for a long time but it is definitely not as intense. It also stays for a long time on a scarf or fabric. I'm a woody-spicey or woody-aquatic type of fragrance person, overly flowery and girly doesn't fit my personality. The type of person who I would see wearing this is into natural beauty products and is probably a foodie. I think this scent will really depend on your skin chemistry. If peppery, spicy and warm scents usually smell good on you - you've got a winner! It's lovely in summer or winter. I agree with TJs review, it definitely fits the French Riviera vibe but also works as a warm snuggly scent for the winter. **Also, side note - layering this with Fève Délicieuse Christian Dior during the holidays is so lovely.

Imagine powdery aldehydes mixed with sweet cardamom. That's it. It is a good one. Subtle. Unique. Not ultra special but special enough. Well-crafted and I find myself reaching out to it when I don't want to decide which fragrance to wear - next to no 5 léau and eau premiere, but when I want more of an edge. I find it the most special when the weather is cold and wet. It got me compliments from strangers. The sandalwood, I suppose, is there, I just can't feel it. Maybe it's working in the background to deliver the final scent. It is a fragrance I respect but not in love with. I always want to have a Fragonard fragrance in my collection. I inherited this one, so I will keep it forever.

Wow! This is truly majestic! Right from the start the spices kick in, cardamom and pepper with the wood right behind. I don't usually go for red berries but here paired with the the spicy resins and smoke they are a match made in heaven! Benzoin and musk provide an excellent background for the rest of the notes to shine. It is fresh but not acidic or sour and not overtly masculine. Best of all is the dry down, with the left overs of musk and wood wrapped in delicious smoke with just a hint of berries, pure heaven! Very alluring,expensive smelling and aromatic. Nearly finished my bottle. Longevity is better than the 'tonka bean' and sillage decent. Simply gorgeous.

This is, well and truly, a cardamom scent. I agree that it’s reminiscent of La Nuit De L’homme, especially when first sprayed. However, as this fragrance dries down, it leans into the berry notes, making it read as more feminine. The berry notes are not overwhelming but provide a juicy balance to the otherwise strong spice. It’s actually a little mouthwatering, in my opinion. Strangely, it reminds me a lot of the Trader Joe’s sparkling black tea with peach juice. If that beverage had some strong cardamom notes, you’d get this fragrance. And, to me, this scent sparkles a bit, too.

This is a gem. A masterpiece from Fragonard. Santal Cardamome is a woody, amber and spicy eau de parfum. Pepper, cardamom and rose berries as head notes resting on a heart of laurel, incense and chilli berry with a base of benjoin, sandalwood and musk. Delicious and the price is unbelievable (low). Pure niche quality. And this is definitely unisex. Great versatile spring, summer, autumn scent. Elegant, spicy and refreshing with good performance.

I lo-o-ove this one. It's one of my fave from Fragonard. Soft, sensual, very subtle and Eastern, yet good on a blonde. The only problem is that I can't wear it as it was the perfume I wore at the French Riviera during a very bad breakup. So! Never waste an excellent perfume on these times. Make sure you buy something dull and throw it away when the turmoil ends. :-)

I love this, but it lasts about 5 seconds on me which is such a shame. Because of the cardamom, I expected a creamy chai effect, but if you're looking for that you need their "Heliotrope Gingembre." This one is sharp and peppery, like freshy ground spices.

I received a few samples of Santal Cardamome with my full size Emilie. I really cannot get on with it. I was expecting a warm, spicy bomb but instead it is fresh, kind of minty, almost sour. A very confusing, cold scent with no depth or character.

This is very nice, balanced, a good cardamom note. It is a bit too heavy on iso e super for my taste though, it gives this that freshness but I am not a fan of iso e super usually, and here it makes it a bit harder than I would like.

Fascinating smell though too light, so much so that I could barely smell it. Besides I didn't smell much sandalwood, it was more about the other notes, but At least it can be worn year round

Clean laundry, fresh, spicy cardamome are the words that come to my mind when I test it. Lasts for hours. Might be my favorite perfume lately.

Smells like Gucci pour homme II..lasts long.

"Baies roses" translates as "pink pepper".