Santal 33 Le Labo 2011 Eau de Parfum

I’m not a stranger to “unusual” fragrances. Some of my favourites have quirks: Narciso Rodriguez Musc Nude can smell like olives to me at times, Lancome Idole Aura gives me a rose with a hint of dill, and even Tom Ford Vanille Fatale occasionally leans slightly olive. But I wear and love all of them.

I’ve tested a lot of samples over the past years, and this is only the second time my partner has flat-out told me I smell bad ( the first being Hermes Tutti Twilly , which on me can come across as sweat.

Le Labo Santal 33, though, is something else entirely on my skin. At first, it smells like straight-up pickles with dill . Then, as it develops, it takes an unexpected turn, like someone poured milk into that same pickle jar, giving it a creamy feel, softer vibe.

I can appreciate that it’s iconic, but not my cup of tea.