Sandalsliver
by Montale

This one is a bit of enigma to me. I get contrasting bright and dark themes. Citrus, sweetness, woodiness. Yes, there is sandalwood in the background (and it smells like the profumum.it “Mysore Sandalwood”, which is my baseline for that note). But to me, Sandalsliver is as confusing on my skin as its name is to my ear. Perhaps I would appreciate it better on someone else.

Sandalsilver is not a great Montale release but nor is it a bad one – it’s simply a confused underachiever. There have been times when I've not been sure what this scent wants to develop into but, when it’s sure, I usually get this soft and creamy sandalwood shinning through. Other than that, this scent is a bit of a mess with all kinds of random citrus, floral, woody and green notes making cameo appearances for no significant reason. Longevity is okay but it pretty much stays close to the skin for most of the duration.

Personally, I consider Sandalsilver to be the sandalwood equivalent of Serge Lutens' muddled (floral) take on cedar (Cèdre) – they both had potential but the execution let them down. Alas, the creamy sandalwood note is quite delicious so, solely due to this fact, I will not be awarding Sandalsilver a thumbs down.

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[Original submission date: 23 October 2008]

wow! this ones massive! the immediate thought that comes to mind (for topsnotes) is a ingredient called Gulkhand(it's made of fresh rose petals+powdered sugar+honey+lime), we use it here to make sweet paans.. though the composition may sound too sweet but, its not, the overall aroma that this exudes is just addictive. the opening notes smells like that...it stays there for 30-45 mintues then moving in a wonderful composition of sandalwood oil, musk and vanilla but, Sandalwood takes the spotlight away pretty easily.

Technically, my bottle is labeled "Skin," but I believe this is just the older name for Sandalsliver.

I'm surprised that nobody yet has commented on the similarity to YSL Nu EdP. I find them both very similar, though the YSL is a little more velvety and syrupy. The Montale is a bit more sultry and sticks closer to the skin.

This is a strange scent overall, as is the YSL. Very unisex, it stays close to the body and yet has a certain sweetness that is not at all "skin" like. I can't say amongst Montale scents this one ranks terribly high, but it is a very interesting one for others who like deep, slightly dark, skin scents.

From the makers of Black Aoud and Greyland, this is a remarkably light scent. A smooth musky scent with slightly citrus and herbal overtones that upon first spray is reminiscent to Annick Goutal's Mandragore - fresh, sharp, but not bright.

The mid notes last quite a while and brings to mind classic shaving soap or perhaps a subtle powdery musk like that used by Loewe Solo. During this time, I also detect a hint of nutmeg also used by Solo but more pronounced in Azzaro Visit.

After about 3 hours: the citrus, herbal, and musk notes are all but disappeared. What's left is an ambery sweetness with a twist that is a faint reminder of the topnotes of MPG Jardin du Nil without the citrus.

The name is slightly misleading as I barely notice the sandalwood if at all. As a matter of fact, I'd hardly call this a woody scent.

I refrained from noting a floral component in the pyramid but it's definitely there and wafts up occasionally even until the drydown.

Longevity is very good but it is a "skin" scent and sillage is very subdued after the topnotes.

It's probably not one of the more romantic scents but it definitely has a "come hither" allure that would be appropriate during intimate situations. Plus it's one of the few that don't offend even if you were to sniff directly. While not a mind blowing olfactory experience, I think Skin surely has something worth digging deeper for.

A slightly disappointing fragrance for me, this has a clear creamy santal which smells very woody and perhaps just a little muddy. This is mixed with other woody notes and also various musky and dark notes which are faint and blended so I cannot pick them. These contribute to a general woody, messy slighty harsh accord which puts me most in mind of a carpenters workshop.