Santal Blanc Van Cleef & Arpels 2019

The bottle looks elegant and minimalist. It must contain a fine, milky essence. The name reinforces this association. Expectations rise. The first spray is gentle. Fresh, milky, and not sweet. But still no fig milk. Some fragrances that want to convey milky components rely on pear. That's why I'm a bit surprised that the supposed mandarin is in the top note. The scent is neither citrusy nor fruity. After the very mild start, it turns green. The fig takes over everything. Nestled in powdery milk, the scent becomes a blend of musk and nature. When I tested the fragrance some time ago, I also thought it somehow smelled like cucumber. A little Moscow Mule isn't necessarily bad, but the milky component somehow dissipates because of it. The fig clearly reminds me of Philosykos by Diptyque. However, Philosykos is even greener and herbaceous. The dry down, on the other hand, is unremarkable. Pleasantly soft and a bit warmer, infused with tonka bean. Unfortunately, that doesn't save it. I find the scent beautiful and especially suitable for everyday wear. However, I won't buy the fragrance since I have Philosykos at home. Moreover, the scent is caught in between. If it’s supposed to be sandalwood, then please more of it. I really like the top note, as it simply radiates pure milk. Unfortunately, I find the fig too strong as it develops. It's strange to see myself write this, as I actually love fig. It somehow comes across as if one was searching for a note that gives the whole character. Out of love for fig, it has been overdone a bit. Therefore, it should rather be called "Fig Blanc." Unfortunately, the sandalwood theme gets lost.