Santal Wood

The joy of wearing any Theodoros Kalotinis Perfumer fragrance is endless. Choosing this hidden beauty from the house, as my scent of the day. It's none other than Santal Wood, an enchanting creation by perfumer Kalotinis. A charming boozy accord twisted with the woody aroma at the initial blast is phenomenal. The booziness present here is due to the Rum accord, that will be there for few minutes and pave the way for a beautiful patchouli to kick in with the Sandalwood. The patchouli engage well with the woody punch at the initial stage. While I state patchouli, don't confuse with a patchouli prominent scent, It's magic starts after a while which completely makes a twist and develop a core climax of Sandalwood. Sandalwood being the hero starts it's magical play with it's powdery nature quickly after the patchouli settles down. Now, the whole fragrance turns into a sandalwood dominant one. This switch here is really mesmerizing, like it reveals it's dual characteristics. One of the most smooth and powderish sandalwood fragrance I had witnessed in my journey. A mild pinch of spiciness can be recalled here and there. Santal Wood easily goes into my Top 3 favourites from Theodoros Kalotinis. The drydown of it is like happiness in a bottle. Soft and smooth, with a well balanced woody tone melting with the oud touch. Finally lays on it's Earthy bed.

This starts off really boozy with the rum note, which then dies off in about 30 minutes. Has a very present oud BUT it is not overpowering by any means. While this fragrance does not stray too far from its initial smell, it is a shapeshifter. It transforms into a creamy, earthy smell that is accompanied by a clean oud (not skanky, but easy to tell it’s high quality oud) smell that lasts for hours and hours. Latches onto clothes for hours and has a nice sillage that is not too overpowering. As it nears the drydown it becomes extremely smooth, and the sandalwood becomes very apparent. This is one of my favorite fragrances of all time and it smells absolutely regal. It is very unique and it smells extremely expensive, like it costs 10x the price.

Surprising, it's a grower. It has two very different phases. Firstly I got a too sour note, so I disliked it. But then I realized I just loved the base it let on my skin. Mainly smells like a wood with a happy, fresh touch I can't identify where is coming from and elevates it. Oud and rum are both discreets, which is good. It doesn't sound like an exciting parfum at beginning ("just another patchouli sandalwood"), but it's elegant, sensual, remained in my memory (mine and others'), and it's definitely not overwhelming. Now is the parfum I am wearing and keep enjoying it in the morning when I smell myself. It could last longer though.

One of my most loved woody scents is Sandalwood. So of course it would only be fitting that I also talk about Santal Wood. Love at first whiff! Boozy rum with hints of prunes or dried plums, beautiful earthy scents, creamy sandalwood and a dash of oud. The oud is very timid so it does not overpower the whole concoction but elevates it. There are a lot of sandalwood scents to choose from but the rum in this makes me really happy! Performance is also notable just like the other scents from Theodoros Kalotinis. Lasted a whole day, got more intense in heat. Projected quite nicely for several hours.

A very exciting offering from a lesser-known house. Santal Woods is simplistic on paper but evolves on your skin, it doesn't stray too far from the opening but it consistently places itself in a linear unapologetic realm. You will smell it, people will smell it. It makes no excuses to anyone. Reminiscent of Amouage during the earlier days, the scent is not hard to digest if you've been a perfume prostitute (me included). While it doesn't share a bunk bed at an all-boys college dorm with Amouage, It has its own entity or bed? I like beds 4.5/5