Reviews of Sandalwood Cologne (2002)
by Geo F Trumper

This scent has what I could only describe as a citrus-floral-leather-sandalwood harmony. At first they don't seem to harmonize, with the sharper notes fighting the warmer ones, but as the base comes into play, the fragrance mellows, and the whole composition just clicks. It then becomes a distinctive, sharp yet creamy fragrance. It continues to get warmer and sweeter as it dries. I'm not sure sandalwood purists will love this one, but as a good all-around scent this is yet another Trumpers that I am going to have to consider purchasing.

Geo F. Trumper Sandalwood is probably the creamiest, most complex and refined fragrance i've ever experienced. It's just nothing short of mind-blowing from first spritz to the long-lasting drydown. Worth every penny of its asking price.

The citrus, then herbs, and then spice are the first guests to arrive at this party. They are a masculine group dominated by the smooth, warm spices and a lavender that pushes and stresses the accord simply to keep its energy flowing. These notes are very suave, and exhibit, most Britishly, their impeccable manners and breeding while maintaining a relaxed in / formality. The later arrival of the softer, rounder, more curvaceous florals adds multitudes of depth and interest—they are so accommodating and subtle. They bud, blossom, and bloom with lustrous grace, and they bring a sensual intensity as well as full depth to the guest list. All the while there are only fleeting glimpses of Sandalwood, the honored guest, a not-so-sure sighting of him in one corner or another. It is, of course, a good party without him, but the reason I came to this soirée is simply…to meet the honored guest. Eventually I do become aware of his presence. And he is so much more (and less) than can be imagined: velvety, rippleless, and abundantly creamy; but where is the dash, the élan, the sharp elegance and ethereal exoticism that he is so famous for? I guess he didn’t bring it to THIS party...
Trumper’s Sandalwood is a great scent and it exhibits a different take on sandalwood. At first I wasn’t too impressed with the actual notes and accords. I tend to prefer the drier, sharper, more airy versions of sandalwood, and I was, frankly, disappointed—I thought that this was too smooth and creamy for me. But after wearing Sandalwood a half dozen times, I came to really love its performance in real life situations. This is such a competent and elegant performer. Seamlessly smooth—perfect sillage—incredible progression of interesting accords—great longevity—an interesting take on sandalwood. For sandalwood I still prefer the sharper, drier version as in Etro’s Sandalo, for instance, but Trumpers Sandalwood is one great fragrance—I’m a convert.

As far as scnets with "sandalwood" in the name go, this one has a pretty subtle and hidden sandalwood note. This isn't a bad thing, however, if you don't get it expecting another Tam Dao. As others have said, the opening notes start out a rather jumbled mess. For a few minutes it has a sweet/sour note that smells a bit synthetic and very out of place. But, as a chess player set his pieces on a board, the notes quickly organize themselves and start to make some sense. The citrus subsides, and you are left with a floral oriental type smell. Soon after, the florals fade, and some light sandalwood and leather (a sweet, subtle, heavenly barely perceptible leather) takes it place. There it stays, a subtle and not too sweet (i'm very sensitive to sweetness, but this one is one of the rare few that work) brew of magical "citrus-leather-sandalwood harmony".

Really good fragrance reminiscent of egoiste to me. Very complex and well composed, long lasting and with beautiful evolution. A winner. I want a bottle, along with several other Trumpers.

A wonderful long-lasting Sandalwood fragrance, that is the epitome of the idea of the evolving fragrance. This one morphs at least three or four times over the course of a day. This stays interesting in my book precisely because of its very capacity to naturally and ineluctably evolve. On me, the final touch is the best, a woody yet very clean and not too sweet carnation smell that I just love. Villoresi makes a carnation fragrance that is too feminine for me, but the carnation closing of this is brilliant and helps me feel fresh well into the day, regardless of whether things go well or not. This is pretty much a "must have" mens fragrance for the Anglophile and the sandalwood lover. Hurry, many US purveyors run out and can't seem to get it for long stretches of time.

Absolutely wonderful. Simple notes with an outstanding result. Starts off with a citrusy, spicy sweet quality that reminds me of a glass of fresh juice, then mellows into a garden of white roses and finishes with a slightly sweet, woody stroke of brilliance.

Very fruity; loads of citrus, lavender and spice gives this sandalwood a sweetness and old-world English gentleman's club period style. Fit for an afternoon under languid blades of an overhead fan somewhere in the colonies. Superior lasting power for a so-called cologne.

It starts out strong and masculine. Initially, it reminded me of the smell of leather, which is a very pleasant scent, but not really what I want my skin to smell like. But Sandalwood tones down quickly to something much more subtle and satisfying. Still strong and mausculine, but more quietly strong and masculine. And, yes, as others have pointed out, it's long lasting.

This one is both understated and long-lasting; almost a contradiction, which adds to its very English character for me. No harsh or bitter notes at all. It's a keeper for me, and I'll probably use it mostly for formalwear events.

I've tried MANY woody fragrances as the orientals, woody orientals, and mossy woods are my niche of choice; however, I haven't come across a Sandalwood that packs the punch this one does. It is undoubtedly the most smooth and sophisticated I've sampled. While Villoresi's Sandalo has that raw character and Caswell-Massey has the beginning of smoothness, Trumper's Sandalwood is outstanding for its creamy texture from start to finish, which, I might add is a LOOONNGGG time after initial application. A superb gathering of fine elements. TRY IT!!