Sandalo Lorenzo Villoresi 1995

This fragrance has a very pure extra dry, extra woody and dark sandalwood note, but not heavy, the spray is versitile, can be choosen how much to put and its no stop. A very soft mist that screams quality, super dry, woody amazing stunning sandalwood and around some little nuances of rose, vetiver, incese and other notes but you won’t pick anything else but a so beautiful sandalwood which has a special spiritual character, pure class and elegance. 0% alcohol...this is amazing

With Sandalo, Villoresi achieved with near perfection a true sandalwood without too much to detract from its truest qualities. Be that as it may, I do want to point out that his mastery of aromatics to lift a base note is quite impressive, and his usage of lavender, rosewood, neroli and citrus in the opening here takes what could be a very bass-heavy composition and diffuses the sandalwood itself quite remarkably.

Fascinatingly enough, there is a dry woodiness that also somehow feels creamy and balmy, especially as Sandalo dries into its heart. No matter what sandalwood materials were used, whether Mysore, Australian or others, a multitude of synth bases or accords, it somehow all feels honest and real (if that really makes sense). I think many folks have this idea of how sandalwood should smell or "feel" and may be a bit taken aback by this representation. I've smelled the wood itself along with the oils. This is one of the closest representations I've smelled. Is that important? Well, that depends on the person, but I do quite favor some realism now and then, and it's delivered here with aplomb.

The dry down is accompanied with resinous elements, extending the heart of sandalwood into the base beautifully, with the feeling over time being meditative and the more unctuous elements alighting into a warm powdery "your skin but better" scent. Overall, it's a wonderful development for sure.

Villoresi is extraordinarily talented in my humble opinion, deserving of much more respect.

Thank goodness there’s not a hint of a pipi note on my skin. Sandalo is a dreamy powdery floral-woody fragrance that doesn’t deserve to be reserved only for men.
However, I don’t want to go as far as Apicius and compare Sandalo to Jicky. Nevertheless, a great fragrance has emerged here, which leads a shadowy or niche existence in terms of recognition.

Once again, I find it difficult to identify individual notes. But that’s okay; I don’t try to pick out individual instruments in an orchestra either. The overall concept of sandalwood, which always gives me a powdery, almost creamy impression, is skillfully executed. And since it is combined here with vetiver and rather green notes, I like it as well. When sandalwood comes together with amber, tonka, or vanilla, it always feels too sweet to me, and then the nuance slightly takes on an oriental touch.

When it comes to sandalwood, I always have Sandalwood by Elizabeth Arden in mind. In my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful and cleanest sandalwood fragrances I’ve ever experienced. Sandalo comes very close to that mood. Without sweetness, but also without being truly harsh, Sandalo exudes an elegant, understated flair and lands - whoosh - on my wish list.

It seems to be a privilege of niche brands to explore boundaries, to push a fragrance direction to the extreme, and to deliver uncompromising quality. Sandalo is a niche scent in the best sense. It moves into a fragrance direction dominated by a few Guerlain scents: Jicky and Mouchoir de Monsieur.

Thus, the designation "Sandalo" is not even half the truth. It starts with a medicinal note. At first, one does not know where the scent is headed. But quickly, two essential aspects become clear: an immense powderiness and a note that I perceive as cinnamon-like. Rose and lavender remain in the background, providing a solid elegance. Labdanum may contribute a certain resinous quality, as well as some volume, perhaps along with the musk, which does not stand out too much.

Does the powderiness come from an iris not specified here? Or can such a thing also be an effect of sandalwood? Sandalwood is included in so many perfumes that use woods. Nevertheless, it is by no means as pronounced as, for example, cedarwood. And although I have tested so many perfumes with sandalwood, I still lack a clear picture of this fragrance note. I think it is similar to musk. Sandalwood seems to have become a collective term for a whole range of ingredients that are somehow supposed to relate to the smell of natural sandalwood. So let's leave it at that: Sandalo has a dry powderiness that can be perceived as woody.

Anyone who ventures into the class of the best must also be compared to them. I find the Guerlain scents a bit more complex. In particular, Mouchoir de Monsieur is finer. Perhaps Sandalo should have been more restrained with labdanum or musk and accepted a little less volume in return. Compared to the Guerlain scents, Sandalo simply comes across as more one-dimensional.

Nevertheless: Sandalo is an excellent fragrance. If it weren't for Jicky and Mouchoir de Monsieur, I would acquire it.

Sandalo was one of the bigger olfactory disappointments of late.

Actually, this perfume would be a real hit, if it weren't for that certain note that overlays the entire scent development for me.

On my skin, Sandalo develops a nasty, even piercing urine smell! It smells as if a delightful perfume has been bombarded with a mega dose of civet to deliberately ruin it.

Unfortunately, Sandalo is totally unsuitable for me, UNFORTUNATELY! Beneath the pee cloud lies a dreamy scent!

Igraine, thank you for the sample and sorry for the comment.