Sand Dance Stéphane Humbert Lucas 2022

My review of God of Fire must of course be followed by the second test fragrance from the new SHL scents. Sand Dance was already my favorite at the beginning of its release. As an old gourmand fan, I am always eager to find something new that upholds the theme. What could be better than a fragrance that involves cocoa and whisky? So I was immediately fired up for a test.

Sand Dance is one of those perfumes that you have to experience, as it is hard to find the right words. It comes across as quite oriental, very dry and bony, and pleasantly warm in the nose. To give an impression, I would say it is like № 02 - L'Air du Désert Marocain Eau de Toilette Intense or "Au Coeur du Désert | Tauer Perfumes," but with a chocolate component. Dry cocoa powder in the desert wind.

I stand on the edge of the city, 30 degrees in the shade.
Before me stretch the foothills of the desert. Egypt.
I feel the grains of sand whipping against my legs. Pain in my face, pinpricks.
Dry, warm, high sun.
The smell of sand, the wind reveals interesting scents of the desert.
Something rises in my nose, the market is nearby.
No spices, rather sweet aromas.
Dried fruits that have an alcoholic hint.
Mandarins in dried form, yet fruity.
Cocoa beans. But so dry in the desert wind that you rather perceive cocoa powder.

Benzoin, dry resinousness.
Tonka bean supports the cocoa.
Warmth, patchouli? Not too earthy, more warmth.
Dry wood. Underpinning, strong and soft at the same time.
I dance with joy. Sand in my shoes.
The dance in the sand.
Sand Dance.

Interestingly, the new fragrances from SHL offer more performance than most of my previous test candidates. The sillage is less than with "God of Fire | Stéphane Humbert Lucas," but still enough that you can perceive the wonderful clouds repeatedly in the first hour.
Here too, eight hours are easily achieved, and I am satisfied in most cases.

The sweetness is kept in check by the dryness on my skin to the extent that I cannot speak of a hardcore gourmand. It simply fits the picture that the sweetness comes quite naturally from the cocoa and does not seem artificial.

Great piece.