Santal Insolent Molinard 2020

The cardamom jumps out at me. Elemi resin, I love it, so warm and enveloping, along with a peppery sharpness. Fresh, warm, peppery, an exciting opening.

Then, very quickly, the sandalwood comes into play. Warm, pleasant, soothing, contrasted with incense, which adds a fresh, smoky, herbal component. The cedarwood supports the sandalwood.

Anyone who has ever warmed a good piece of sandalwood (Koh-Do ceremony, I will write more about this in the blog) will immediately recall the nuances. Molinard captures them wonderfully.

On my skin, the warm and soothing aspect predominates, while the tension from the incense never fades away.

The longer I wear the shameless sandalwood, the more leathery it becomes, but never without peaks that tickle my nose. Time and again, the scent tells me: “I’m still here! Don’t lean back too much! Relaxation is not on the agenda! Stay with your nose on me!”

Yes, I don’t want to turn my nose away. It is immensely enriching to experience the interplay between warmth and sharpness, the pepper is always there from time to time. Then the translucent, increasingly stronger amber, the golden shimmer in a brown robe.

If the perfume had colors, it would be a constant shift between gray, black, brown, with golden flecks…

Despite the base notes (leather and amber), it always remains somewhat woody and dry. The cedarwood and probably also nutmeg, which I perceive, likely create this impression.

I have some issues with papyrus. How and what does it smell like?

What an appearance! Santal Insolent emerges, remains present, is a companion full of strength, who does not lose its energy, who slowly calms down, but without becoming weak.

So, if you are looking for a scent for an appearance, a long-lasting companion, self-assured, powerful, but not intrusive, you’ve come to the right place.

…outrageously good and exciting sandalwood can smell!