Reviews of Sandalwood Cologne (2002)
by Geo F Trumper

Much like Le Labo's Vetiver 46 "isn't vetiver", Sandalwood Cologne isn't sandalwood. Also much like Vetiver 46, this is a sweet, creamy, incensed sandalwood. Good thing I wasn't expecting a huge sandalwood. I'd be disappointed if it actually was sandalwood. I rather like this. Good cool weather wear.

My nose must be a simple one. Of all the 14 ingredients I can only detect the sandalwood. It's a perfectly decent sandalwood, in no way extraordinary to my nose. This and the Caswell Massey Tricorn would be sensible choices for anyone seeking a simple sandalwood note that is warm and long-lasting.

I purchased this product blind and had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, I can really make out the Patchouli in it, which isn't a fragrance that I'm real fond of, so I'm not sure how much I'll wear it. If only the sandalwood were a little more prominent...

I really don't know what to make of this. This is a nice men's-fragrance-like-fragrance, but I just couldn't bring myself to like it. The opening to me is a chaotic mix of sweet citrus floral which I find slightly nauseating. If applied very lighly from Trumper's official sample vial w/ applicator this forms a tolerable scent that I can wear, but using one full applicator stroke on each wrist I find it too sweet and cloying. The dry-down is the better part of this. While it is still nothing I find to be true sandalwood, it does approximate a sweet "sandalwood accord", which I find to be a fragment of actual sandalwood. Once the choas passes this does become quite nice, and the lasting power is pretty good, which may or may not be a good thing.

Sandalwood Cologne (SC) is said to be Trumpers most sensual and complex offering. While it is a very well made fragrance with high quality ingredients, it comes up a bit short in terms of versatility and quantity of sandalwood in its composition.

SC opens with cracking notes of bergamot, lavender, herbs and spices. The opening is so good that if SC stayed linear after these wonderful top notes, it would easily qualify as a top tier fragrance. However, SC is composed of two halves. The less appealing half reveals itself midway through the floral heart. The floral midnotes reveal a pleasing yet slightly sweet accent to the proceedings. Note that so far, theres no sign of sandalwood. SC is flying high purely on the supporting notes cast. Good, but not what we were promised. The basenotes are rich and sweet - lots of vanilla, amber and patchoulli, with hints of sandalwood. The sandalwood is drowned by tons of vanilla here - it might as well be called "Vanilla Cologne".

SC is a rich, extremely creamy sandalwood fragrance - with little sandalwood. I find that a little goes a long way, and that it wears better during winters. It can get quite cloying at times. If you like sweet fragrances, SC would be right up your alley. However, sandalwood aficionados will likely be disappointed by SC; like Creeds Original Santal, it contains little sandalwood. However, I find this one to be less wearable than Original Santal. Sandalwood Cologne is good - but it really doesnt play in the same league as other sandalwood heavyweights.