Sandalo (1989)
by Etro

Does Etro still make this? Picked up Sandalo a few years back and it's a light woody scent if there ever was one. Is there real sandalwood oil in here? I would seem to think so as sandalwood is a very intricate and multi-faceted material from what I've smelled over the years. Sandalo plays on your nose: is sandalwood this smoky and rubbery or are they ancillary notes that were added to enhance the juice? I would lean toward the former but I'll never know. What I do know is Sandalo is a fine ode to sandalwood and is one of the best out there. The question is: Can you still find it?

17th September, 2011.

I don't consider this to be that much of a sandalwood fragrance. It is clearly more of a case of cedarwood- patchouli- animalic musk accord. It reminds me quite a bit of Zino (1986), only in very much lighter and subtle form.

Sandalo wears close to skin for a decent amount of time. Suitable for both sexes equally.

I think this is a nice little scent - it's well made and everything, but I just think it is not adabtly named fragrance at all ("Piccolo Ligneo Animale Oppuro Qualcosa" would have been better name for it), since it naturally gives one an impression of a true, sandalwood dominant scent. (And yes, I don't think it's that, not by any means)
There is that buttery sandalwood note in the blend, and it's detectible, but it goes winding in the shadows.

This, like everything else from Etro, has unfortunately gone through re-formulation at least once. (Some have actually been touched two or even three times)
I have only tried the original, vintage formulation of Sandalo.

24th March, 2011.

There is a sort of exoticism in each Etro scent which never fails to intrigue me and so does it. Sandalo is a very likeable stuff, it's a woody oriental , a discreet and delightful fragrance based on amber and sandalwood. The scent itself is woody and mellow but there is a certain touch of smoky incense or a touch of a sort of bitter licorice or burnt caramel kind of smell in the background which i like so much. The starting is citrusy-floral with orange and rose that exude a delicate and bit exotic initial sweet whiff. The middle notes settle a woody rooty heart of scent. Each element stands at its right place in order to create a perfectly orchestrated general balance. Sandalwood is prominent with its real woody, resinous temperament, patchouli impresses boldness, cedar a boise' sour touch to balance the oriental following base and lavender expresses tradition and a touch woodsy freshness. The woody, dry heart which lists a touch of lavender preludes a soapy oriental base which lists myrrh, amber and musk. I perceive the touch of amber and the woodsy temperament of musk. The amber-musk link introduces a sort of woodsy soapiness whose green temperament is not deflected by just an hint of myrrh. The combination between amber, myrhh, woodsy and rooty elements reminds to me a bit that one of the exotic old Vetiver Guerlain. The sweetness is moderate and is the kind of natural one inherent the elements as woods and amber.  This is a very delicious and distinguished scent very refined for each occasion. Even if longevity is not the best imaginable i assign to it a full thumps up cause is one of the fragrances i love more in all this magic but dangerous (for my wallet) olfactory universe.

3rd February, 2011. (Last Edited: 25th September, 2011.)

A crisp,slightly camphoric rendition of sandalwood,but as with so many members of the Etro family,it needs more stamina to make it worthy of a full bottle purchase.

It is not a bad example of its kind, but it lacks the quality and invention to be considered a real success.One of the better examples from this house, but my search for a true gem continues.

31st August, 2010.

A very nice frag. Dry and bitter. I gave it 4 stars. I would give it more had it been more rich and persistent. Otherwise a good parfum. But not feminine.

20th April, 2010.

I guess Burberry Brit Gold was an attempt to copy this one. BBG is stronger, spicier, and a bit harsher, but otherwise very similar. Both have a "bare" quality that I'm not sure that I can enjoy for more than short periods of time. In contrast, I can enjoy the sandalwood/gourmand fragrance, Python by Trussardi (the "women's" one), for hours. I'm not a huge sandalwood fan anyway, so I'll give this a neutral and let the sandalwood lovers discuss this in the context of a "sandalwood fragrance."

6th November, 2009.