Our take
What does Santal Royal smell like?
Thierry Wasser composed Santal Royal in 2014 for Guerlain's Les Absolus d'Orient collection, now sold as Absolus Allegoria. It opens on bright neroli and fairly polite jasmine. Peach comes in quickly with a velvety, almost edible roundness. Rose and cinnamon then form the oriental heart, with that spiced Turkish delight feel many Middle Eastern perfumes share. Sandalwood takes over from there. It is milky and soft, and leather gives it backbone. A little oud shows up in the base, smoky rather than animalic, and never dominates. Amber and musk carry the warmth for hours. This is nowhere near the rough, barnyard style of oud: Guerlain made a polished woody oriental that is easy to wear. It is still in production.
When to wear it
Autumn and winter, evenings or special occasions. Two sprays are enough, and it will still be on your coat the next day.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Santal Royal is one of 99 creations by Guerlain in our encyclopedia.
