Our take
What does Santal Blanc smell like?
Santal Blanc joined Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection Extraordinaire in 2019. Michel Almairac built it around the colour white, a theme the house plays out in textures. Mandarin opens briefly. Fig milk is what really marks the start. It's a green, milky note somewhere between the skin of the fruit and its sap. Violet follows with a powdery, almost chalky side. Sandalwood then settles in the middle. It's neither dry nor smoky. Expect something creamy and soft instead. Musk and tonka bean stretch that softness out for hours. Le Labo's Santal 33 inevitably comes to mind. Santal Blanc has less leather and less wood, and it's smoother and cosier. If you want a sandalwood with some edge, this one will feel a bit tame. As a clean skin scent, it hits the mark.
When to wear it
A soft woody scent for autumn and winter that works well at the office. Three sprays on clothing noticeably extend its life.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. Santal Blanc is one of 20 creations by Van Cleef & Arpels in our encyclopedia.
