In my previous 2 reviews, I gave Himalaya a score of 3/5 and L'air du Desert Marocain 4/5.
I'm going to pump out another review today; and remember: this is my opinion - not fact
Today, I'm reviewing Original Santal by Creed (which came out in 2005)
Scent: 3/5
Original Santal is a mix of vanilla, tonka, and lavendar with a lot of cinnamon. Cinnamon is, by far, the most dominant note (and it's a note that I like very much). It's one of the better cinnamon notes I've smelled, but not the best.
There is a little burst of berry/fruit notes in the beginning, which I like a lot. Not too much fresh fruit, but just enough). If you smell the atomizer, you can smell those fruity fresh notes. But a short while after they are on your skin (maybe half hour to an hour), the fruit notes are gone. For the overwhelming majority of time you wear this fragrance, you are going to smell predominantly the base notes.
This scent is named Santal (short for sandalwood). Yet, sandalwood is far from the dominant note in this fragrance. And I'm a big fan of Creed's sandalwood notes. Green Irish Tweed had a great sandalwood note in the base and I think Himalaya's sandalwood note was one of the best I ever smelled. I do detect a sandalwood note, but ever so slightly. If this were renamed and wasn't marketed as a sandalwood fragrance, I can't be sure I would have ever known there was a sandalwood note in here.
Oh, and this IS NOT identical to Joop. There are some similarities. Both are sweet, a little dark, and a little heavy, but granted, but they are far apart. I don't get the repulsive cherry cough syrup note anywhere in OS.
Overall, a very good scent, but nothing groundbreaking.
Originality: 2.5/5
This is not very original. It's not generic in the same way that a Calvin Klein is. But on a niche level, when people are paying top dollar, there is a greater expectation to be original and different from the rest. Santal doesn't really set itself apart. Cinnamon gourmand fragrances have been done before. Tonka vanilla fragrances have been done too many times. In subtle way, it's better than a lot of gourmands out there, but it's not peerless. There's well over 10 gourmands I could recommend over this one, in both original and quality.
Versatility: 4.5/5
This is one of it's strongest points. Yes, it has a vibe to it that easily convinces me that this is excellent for a night time scent, especially on a warm night at a sophisticated city. This one of Creed's best options for fall and winter. I can easily see this as a great clubbing scent and (even though I completely disagree with the concept) a romantic scent in the traditional sense.
This wouldn't stop me from wearing it in the day. Honestly, it doesn't project so hard that you can't wear it in the day. I think this is work safe (just don't spray too much), good for casual occasions and formal occasions alike. It has a smoothness to it that makes it wearable. This is unisex. A woman could wear this easily
Many niche fragrances are ones that are good to smell, but this is one that is meant for WEARING.
This may not smell better than most fragrances, but this is more wearable than most fragrances. If you are a pragmatic (and like sweet scents), this may be up your alley, because many sweet scents are less safe to wear, but this one is gourmand and safe.
Projection: 3.5/5
The projection of OS is very good (better than that of several Creeds). It's light and subtle, but it's there. Even during the 7th hour, it projects just as nicely as it did during the 2nd hour. The projection is consistent after the fragrance starts to develop. Sometimes is too subtle to detect the ingredients. You have to smell really close to detect the ingredients but you can smell it from a good distance too. It's a close-quarters scent, but it projects a lot closely.
Longevity: 5/5
Longevity is easily the strongest aspect of this fragrance. I've gotten 8+ hours on each wearing. Sometimes up to 12 hours. This will last you the whole day. Creed has often had a problem with longevity, but this is easily one of the best (if not THE) fragrances that they have to offer in terms of longevity. Not just for a Creed fragrance, but the longevity on this trumps that of 90% of other fragrances in general. And yes, it even lasts longer than the mighty Aventus.
Value: 3/5
It's a basic simple fragrance that's been done before, but it is refined and versatile. The good projection and great longevity means that a bottle of OS will last you a long time.
But this one doesn't innovate as much as many of the other Creeds do. It smells very good, but it doesn't feel like it's above the league of most designer fragrances. 1 Million, Spicebomb, Burberry London do what this one does just fine (and actually I like them better than OS). If you are a casual fragrance owner and don't feel like spending a lot of money, just go with one of those three as they are cheaper and they do just about everything Santal does. This smells a bit like New Haarlem, but a much weaker version. Though, I'd take New Haarlem over OS any day of the week. If you like New Haarlem, but think it's too strong for you, OS may be a better option.
This is a very good fragrance, so if you have the money and are interested in this kind of scent, then definitely buy it. For people on a stricter budget or people with other fragrances on their want list, it's harder to recommend. If you already have all of the essential must-have fragrances that you want, then it's not unreasonable to buy this.
$315 for a 4 oz (and more money per ML as you get to smaller sizes) is not worth it unless you have a lot of money to blow, but you can find this online by trusted websites for around $140, and that price it's much better.
This isn't a must-have. It's optional, if you like it and can afford it.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
(on a niche scale; not an average)
Verdict: Look into it if you like sweet gourmand cinnamon fragrances or if you are a fan of the Creed house. Otherwise, there are better things to try.
(Mont Blanc Individuel - I haven't tried this one yet, so I can't compare, but I will and I'll let you all know what I think)
(What does 3.5 mean) - 3.5 is a very good rating. I'm critical in reviews, so only the best of the best get 4's and 5's. But 3.5 means it's better than probably 2/3 of fragrances out there.
(Compared to the other Creeds: This is probably my least favorite Creed. I did give Himalaya a lower rating than OS because of weak projection and weak longevity, but I like the smell of Himalaya more. SMW, Aventus, VIW, GIT, MI, they ALL rank above Santal - no contest.)
I'm going to pump out another review today; and remember: this is my opinion - not fact
Today, I'm reviewing Original Santal by Creed (which came out in 2005)
Scent: 3/5
Original Santal is a mix of vanilla, tonka, and lavendar with a lot of cinnamon. Cinnamon is, by far, the most dominant note (and it's a note that I like very much). It's one of the better cinnamon notes I've smelled, but not the best.
There is a little burst of berry/fruit notes in the beginning, which I like a lot. Not too much fresh fruit, but just enough). If you smell the atomizer, you can smell those fruity fresh notes. But a short while after they are on your skin (maybe half hour to an hour), the fruit notes are gone. For the overwhelming majority of time you wear this fragrance, you are going to smell predominantly the base notes.
This scent is named Santal (short for sandalwood). Yet, sandalwood is far from the dominant note in this fragrance. And I'm a big fan of Creed's sandalwood notes. Green Irish Tweed had a great sandalwood note in the base and I think Himalaya's sandalwood note was one of the best I ever smelled. I do detect a sandalwood note, but ever so slightly. If this were renamed and wasn't marketed as a sandalwood fragrance, I can't be sure I would have ever known there was a sandalwood note in here.
Oh, and this IS NOT identical to Joop. There are some similarities. Both are sweet, a little dark, and a little heavy, but granted, but they are far apart. I don't get the repulsive cherry cough syrup note anywhere in OS.
Overall, a very good scent, but nothing groundbreaking.
Originality: 2.5/5
This is not very original. It's not generic in the same way that a Calvin Klein is. But on a niche level, when people are paying top dollar, there is a greater expectation to be original and different from the rest. Santal doesn't really set itself apart. Cinnamon gourmand fragrances have been done before. Tonka vanilla fragrances have been done too many times. In subtle way, it's better than a lot of gourmands out there, but it's not peerless. There's well over 10 gourmands I could recommend over this one, in both original and quality.
Versatility: 4.5/5
This is one of it's strongest points. Yes, it has a vibe to it that easily convinces me that this is excellent for a night time scent, especially on a warm night at a sophisticated city. This one of Creed's best options for fall and winter. I can easily see this as a great clubbing scent and (even though I completely disagree with the concept) a romantic scent in the traditional sense.
This wouldn't stop me from wearing it in the day. Honestly, it doesn't project so hard that you can't wear it in the day. I think this is work safe (just don't spray too much), good for casual occasions and formal occasions alike. It has a smoothness to it that makes it wearable. This is unisex. A woman could wear this easily
Many niche fragrances are ones that are good to smell, but this is one that is meant for WEARING.
This may not smell better than most fragrances, but this is more wearable than most fragrances. If you are a pragmatic (and like sweet scents), this may be up your alley, because many sweet scents are less safe to wear, but this one is gourmand and safe.
Projection: 3.5/5
The projection of OS is very good (better than that of several Creeds). It's light and subtle, but it's there. Even during the 7th hour, it projects just as nicely as it did during the 2nd hour. The projection is consistent after the fragrance starts to develop. Sometimes is too subtle to detect the ingredients. You have to smell really close to detect the ingredients but you can smell it from a good distance too. It's a close-quarters scent, but it projects a lot closely.
Longevity: 5/5
Longevity is easily the strongest aspect of this fragrance. I've gotten 8+ hours on each wearing. Sometimes up to 12 hours. This will last you the whole day. Creed has often had a problem with longevity, but this is easily one of the best (if not THE) fragrances that they have to offer in terms of longevity. Not just for a Creed fragrance, but the longevity on this trumps that of 90% of other fragrances in general. And yes, it even lasts longer than the mighty Aventus.
Value: 3/5
It's a basic simple fragrance that's been done before, but it is refined and versatile. The good projection and great longevity means that a bottle of OS will last you a long time.
But this one doesn't innovate as much as many of the other Creeds do. It smells very good, but it doesn't feel like it's above the league of most designer fragrances. 1 Million, Spicebomb, Burberry London do what this one does just fine (and actually I like them better than OS). If you are a casual fragrance owner and don't feel like spending a lot of money, just go with one of those three as they are cheaper and they do just about everything Santal does. This smells a bit like New Haarlem, but a much weaker version. Though, I'd take New Haarlem over OS any day of the week. If you like New Haarlem, but think it's too strong for you, OS may be a better option.
This is a very good fragrance, so if you have the money and are interested in this kind of scent, then definitely buy it. For people on a stricter budget or people with other fragrances on their want list, it's harder to recommend. If you already have all of the essential must-have fragrances that you want, then it's not unreasonable to buy this.
$315 for a 4 oz (and more money per ML as you get to smaller sizes) is not worth it unless you have a lot of money to blow, but you can find this online by trusted websites for around $140, and that price it's much better.
This isn't a must-have. It's optional, if you like it and can afford it.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
(on a niche scale; not an average)
Verdict: Look into it if you like sweet gourmand cinnamon fragrances or if you are a fan of the Creed house. Otherwise, there are better things to try.
(Mont Blanc Individuel - I haven't tried this one yet, so I can't compare, but I will and I'll let you all know what I think)
(What does 3.5 mean) - 3.5 is a very good rating. I'm critical in reviews, so only the best of the best get 4's and 5's. But 3.5 means it's better than probably 2/3 of fragrances out there.
(Compared to the other Creeds: This is probably my least favorite Creed. I did give Himalaya a lower rating than OS because of weak projection and weak longevity, but I like the smell of Himalaya more. SMW, Aventus, VIW, GIT, MI, they ALL rank above Santal - no contest.)
Wooo!
