Sandalwood Reviews

RobertOne

Well-Known Member
#2
EO: Mysore '84

The 70's.

The decade that taste forgot.

I do have some happy memories of that tartan-infested decade, however, and it was soapy. I remember some of the bars my grandfather had, scented with sandalwood. I recall that I am not the only one on the forum with that memory!

This oil harkened me back to that time, and then some. It's smooth, creamy and eminates relaxed luxury. I am spoiled here, I think, to have such a first experience of this oil. It's very hard to define just how harmonious and strong, balanced it was. Not a maserati, this, but rather a coach-built vintage car of many a year ago. Whenever I swiped a little then my cares just seemed to fade away. The scent is linear from 20 minutes after application, but really, who gives a gosh darn damn with such harmony.

This is the first real scent I wore in my beard, it semed utterly natural to do that at the time as in antiquity as so many great men did, and the projection lasted almost a whole day even in the dry, dry air of Oklahoma. Of course, I did swipe a little in the evening just for greed, waking up to this scent in the morning was wonderful.
 
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#3
It is reviews like these that are slowly changing my mind about sandalwood. I am wondering, what is your take on Imperial Oud's 1915 Sandal wood oil offer, as It is a bit confusing to me, does sandal wood change over the years to become better like a raw puer? Or does age not matter at all.
 
#4
It is reviews like these that are slowly changing my mind about sandalwood. I am wondering, what is your take on Imperial Oud's 1915 Sandal wood oil offer, as It is a bit confusing to me, does sandal wood change over the years to become better like a raw puer? Or does age not matter at all.
Yes, sandalwood oil age well with time to develop a deeper base but may lose some of the top notes if improperly stored. That is the reason why vintage sandalwood are highly sought after. Furthermore, the wood quality in the olden days are of a much higher quality.

Unfortunately the relatively dated distillation method and commercial scale distillation may resulted in 'flat and lifeless' oils that had a linear scent profile. Personally I have given up on these vintage oils as they are hit or miss for me. You may want to check with @Oudamberlove as he has a wide collection of those oils.

I much prefer artisan distilled sandalwood oil (albeit more expensive) with a more rounded scent profile that will age even better with time, or oils that are distilled in the more modern period such as the 80s with a good balance of aging and wood quality.
 

RobertOne

Well-Known Member
#5
It is reviews like these that are slowly changing my mind about sandalwood. I am wondering, what is your take on Imperial Oud's 1915 Sandal wood oil offer, as It is a bit confusing to me, does sandal wood change over the years to become better like a raw puer? Or does age not matter at all.
Dear Buckeye,

The 'best' sandalwood oil is utterly subjective. Some prefer rich, deeper Mysuru, or Mysore if you are politically incorrect, others like lively Tanzanian offerings and some from a former British penal colony populated with most of the earth's most venomous and poisonous creatures are excellent too, from all accounts despite it being the home of people that produced characters such as Sir Les Patterson.

As you are strapped for cash, may I suggest samples?

That way you get a good swipe or 10 out of each vial and more importantly, an education about what you do and do not like. Here is the superlative place to start:

https://ensaroud.com/product/royal-santal-kit/382

Also, Mr. Adam of Feel Oud has some full bottles at extremely fair prices, with much more on the way soon.

http://www.feel-oud.com/product-category/sandal-oil/
 

Oudamberlove

Well-Known Member
#6
It is reviews like these that are slowly changing my mind about sandalwood. I am wondering, what is your take on Imperial Oud's 1915 Sandal wood oil offer, as It is a bit confusing to me, does sandal wood change over the years to become better like a raw puer? Or does age not matter at all.
@Youssef
Greetings.
The first criterion in enjoying Sandalwood Oil is to find 100% pure Sandalwood Oil.
Overall quality depends on what batch you get, be it vintage or new.
Profiles vary from region to region and distilltion parameters.
My collection is quite varied, and I noticed that no two oils are alike, kinda like Oud.
Your best bet is to start exploring different ones so you can get a feel for what suits you best.
 
#7
So sorry for all of my questions everyone, it is just that I have been holding them in
Dear Buckeye,

The 'best' sandalwood oil is utterly subjective. Some prefer rich, deeper Mysuru, or Mysore if you are politically incorrect, others like lively Tanzanian offerings and some from a former British penal colony populated with most of the earth's most venomous and poisonous creatures are excellent too, from all accounts despite it being the home of people that produced characters such as Sir Les Patterson.

As you are strapped for cash, may I suggest samples?

That way you get a good swipe or 10 out of each vial and more importantly, an education about what you do and do not like. Here is the superlative place to start:

https://ensaroud.com/product/royal-santal-kit/382

Also, Mr. Adam of Feel Oud has some full bottles at extremely fair prices, with much more on the way soon.

http://www.feel-oud.com/product-category/sandal-oil/
Wow, I had no idea that sandal wood was almost like oud. I had always had the conception that oud was always the most superior and complex fragrance, and that sandalwood was not as complex, and a bit bland. But seeing how in sandal wood too there are many factors that effect a fragrance is really eye opening.

Haha, I have realized that right now I am not that concerned with getting my hands on a bottle of oud or sandalwood as much as I am about learning about it. Oud really does just fascinate me, and learning for now is enough for me. As I said before I am merely here on this platform to learn, and inquire.
 

RobertOne

Well-Known Member
#8
So sorry for all of my questions everyone, it is just that I have been holding them in


Wow, I had no idea that sandal wood was almost like oud. I had always had the conception that oud was always the most superior and complex fragrance, and that sandalwood was not as complex, and a bit bland. But seeing how in sandal wood too there are many factors that effect a fragrance is really eye opening.

Haha, I have realized that right now I am not that concerned with getting my hands on a bottle of oud or sandalwood as much as I am about learning about it. Oud really does just fascinate me, and learning for now is enough for me. As I said before I am merely here on this platform to learn, and inquire.
You are not wrong when you describe Oud as the ultimate in fragrance and it would be true to say that all others are simplistic in comparison but that should not detract from the beauty of sandal.

Every once in a while I prefer to cleanse my pallet, as it were and sandal is such a luxurious ersatz to do so with.
 

RobertOne

Well-Known Member
#9
FO Santal 100k Hybrid.

A raw green streak through faded chamomile are the colours that are evoked by the initial swipe of this santal.

This is not your pop-pop's sandalwood, but something altogether rawer, nicely rough sap around the edge is this. Classical santal is a velvet cushion to sooth away all your worries but this enfant rerrible stimulates from the start with the unaged character of the oil which is almost refreshing. Perhaps I am just imagining being able to scent the wood itself, crushed granule by granule when I inhale of it deeply.

It subsequently settles down after an hour or two into a more subdued and relaxing accord, which is when I find myself reaching for the wand once more to layer another drop on and another.. The contrasting development of many layers make this extremely addictive.

Edit:

I just became very aware how this oil performs under degrees of humidity.

In a very humid atmosphere it becomes 'funky' and rather discordant. In a bone dry centrally heated home it can do no wrong.
 
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RobertOne

Well-Known Member
#10
Feel Oud: Parfum de Sandal.

This is Adam's first crack at distilling sandalwood, so more of an experiment than finished product.

I think I might blend this one, it's a little rough around the edges.

Opens unexpectedly with a jarring pear-aldehyde blush. Floral top notes abound with unfamiliar top notes with only a minute in, not a good opening.

Five minutes in the dischordia fades and more woody aromas emerge, I am reminded of a woodworking shop with varnish.

20 minutes later and some sandal warm aroma finally peeks through, but almost as an afterthought.

After an hour the sandalwood peaks softly with very strong wood notes, I imagine this is the scent of a sandalwood pencil being sharpened.
 

Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#11
celestial gold mysore #1 oil by Tyson.

if taha's gen 3 and ensar senkoh series oils are all about capturing the scent and essence of the wood without anything else, then to my nose this is what tyson has done with this precious gift of nature. the wood when very very very gently (60 degrees celsius) is heated virtually smells the same as the oil. this oil is everything sandalwood has to offer in one oil.

very buttery and round? check
very mildly herbacious and green? check
very mild to medium - baking spices, nutmeg, star anise? check
hint of floral musk? check check check.
hint of a top soil, forest floor note? yes. that too.

most importantly is how "aged" and harmonious the oil comes across. smoother, rounder, more put together than mysore sandal's i have had in past with 10-15 or more years age on it.

wow wow wow. i dont want to be a dick and buy the rest of the oils as i beleive as many people need to share this insane creation as possible, BUT if i see any left in stock by end of the week, ill definitely buy one more bottle.

bravo @tyson . i certainly hope this was not a beginner's luck and certainly hope not your best work either. looking forward to follow your passion and creations and to the best of my ability support your vision and work for years to come.
 

tyson

New Member
#12
Thanks for the review , really kind words , and im happy your enjoying the black mysore oil its quite rare ! I hope its not beginers luck as well ^^ i think that my setup and parameters will only get refined in the future though and alot of the props have to go to the system especially the gold and quartz condenser , i think it balances out the copper oil note . Gold has a wonderfully soft and bright character that i think brings great balance to copper . ive been thinking of getting my still pot gold coated but now i think they complement each other . One thing i may do in the future is scrape the first 1mm of wood off of the woods used as i think it can pick up alot of scents from its surroundings . Another thing ill do differently is get a agitator for my woods i distilled , its ok for frank and things that disolve in the water but woods tend to settle and thats alot of water the oil molicules have to traverse to make it to the air were there carried over in the steam . A agitator will free them all up alot easier . Other than that ive been playing with vibrational frequencies and music , C# is one ive been working with alot , bashar talks alot about this freq note and its powers and abilities , this is the resonant freq of the planet . I want to tap into the power of the planet and nature in this way . Crystal i add to the water are also a way i like to program the water . I want to look at the process from a muli dimentional perspective and see the deeper understanding of nature . here is a video of the still i used to distill the wood... I left a link to dr emoto's work on water as well for those interested
https://www.life-enthusiast.com/articles/miraculous-messages-from-water
 
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