Santal 33 Clones

"### Final Thoughts If Amber Noir were a movie character, it would be the reliable, but slightly less charismatic, best friend of the main character from a quirky indie film. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Orientica's Amber Noir throws a decent Santal 33 impression, especially in the opening. The violet accord is more candied here, like those powdery violet candies your grandma kept in her purse, and the cardamom has a slightly fizzy ginger ale vibe. The heart diverges; where Santal 33 has that green pickle brine tang, Amber Noir leans into a drier, almost papyrus-like iris note. Ambrox gives it a slightly scratchy feel. The base is where it’s most similar, with a cedarwood note reminiscent of pencil shavings and a restrained sandalwood. Leather is present, but it's more of a sueded texture than raw hide. ### Performance Reality Check Longevity is solid, clocking in at around 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate; it projects about an arm's length for the first hour or two, then settles closer to the skin. I wore it to a casual Friday at the office. It didn't overwhelm my coworkers, and I caught whiffs of it throughout the day. I also wore it during a weekend brunch and a movie date."

"### The Scent Profile Emir Rich Santal initiates with a forceful violet accord, far more candied than verdant. Think grape bubblegum clinging to a freshly-split pod of green cardamom. The heart struggles to integrate, the promised iris rendered powdery and almost metallic by an overzealous application of ambroxan. This synthetic ambergris substitute lends a harsh, scratchy quality, notably diverging from the smoother, creamier heart of the inspiration. The base attempts redemption with cedarwood shavings, yet a plasticky leather accord dominates, smothering any genuine sandalwood presence. The drydown retains a persistent, slightly acrid cedar-leather accord with a lingering violet sweetness that verges on cloying. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity proves impressive, clocking in at around 8 hours on skin. Projection is initially robust, easily extending beyond arm's length for the first 2 hours before settling into a close bubble. Testing occurred indoors in a climate-controlled office environment. ### Bottom Line If Emir Rich Santal were a character, it would be a try-hard cosplayer who missed the mark but is committed to staying in character all day long."

"### Olfactory Experience Eau Santal opens with a surprisingly green violet accord, leaning almost cucumber-like, alongside a whisper of cardamom that's quickly overtaken by the violet. The heart introduces a powdery iris, but the ambrox here adds a peculiar metallic tang, like licking a freshly polished spoon. It deviates from the original Santal 33 most noticeably in the drydown, where the cedarwood becomes quite dominant, almost pencil-shaving like. The leather is subtle, more of a suede suggestion than full-grain. The sandalwood is present, but lacks the creamy, almost lactonic quality of a high-end sandalwood oil; it’s drier, slightly scratchy. ### Performance Reality Check I get about six hours of noticeable wear, with projection initially around arm's length, settling closer to the skin after two hours. I wore it to the office, a casual dinner, and on a weekend hike. It performed adequately in all scenarios. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? This is a solid choice for the individual who appreciates a modern, woody fragrance with a touch of floral sweetness. Imagine a graphic designer in their late 20s, sporting stylish glasses and a minimalist wardrobe. They work in a creative office setting, bike to work, and enjoy independent coffee shops. Eau Santal fits their aesthetic – clean, understated, and effortlessly cool. It's a reliable, everyday scent that won't overpower a room, suitable for both professional and casual environments."

"### Scent Breakdown S4nd4lwood opens with a surprising vegetal sweetness. The violet accord is prominent, more like sugared parma violets than fresh, dewy greens. There's a whisper of cardamom, but it's quickly overtaken by the iris and ambrox combination, creating a powdery, almost chalky effect. It lacks the crisp cucumber freshness that defines the original. The cedarwood arrives soon after, lending a dry, pencil shaving facet. The leather emerges in the base, a suede-like quality that's muted and slightly synthetic, lacking the authentic tang. The sandalwood here is creamier than expected, but also has a plasticky dryness that separates it from the real deal. ### How Long Does it Last? This lasts approximately 4-5 hours on my skin. It projects moderately for the first hour, extending to about an arm's length, before settling closer to the skin. I tested it in a moderately humid environment during a day of errands. ### Bottom Line This fragrance suits someone who wants to project an aura of cultivated nonchalance, but perhaps isn't quite there yet. This individual might be an art student sketching in a sun-drenched loft, surrounded by canvases and half-empty coffee cups. They aim for effortless cool, but there's a touch of naiveté in their approach. It's a good daytime scent for casual outings, but lacks the depth for truly intimate or formal occasions."

"### Bottom Line If this scent were a character in a film, it would be the meticulously dressed but ultimately unconvincing con artist, all surface and no substance. ### Olfactory Experience Vibrant Leather & Sandalwood Elixir starts with an intriguing violet leaf that quickly turns soapy and reminiscent of freshly printed magazines. The cardamom is a ghost, barely detectable beneath a growing cloud of synthetic sandalwood. The heart is where it deviates most notably; the iris attempts a powdery elegance but is quickly subdued by a prominent, almost chemical ambroxan. Instead of genuine, creamy sandalwood, the drydown delivers a cedarwood-forward experience, layered with a somewhat plasticky "leather" accord. The overall effect lands closer to furniture polish than a luxurious sandalwood fragrance. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is surprisingly decent, clocking in around 5-6 hours on skin, though it fades to a skin scent after the initial two. Projection is moderate for the first hour, extending about one arm's length before retracting. It fares best in cooler indoor settings, as heat seems to amplify the artificial notes. I wore this during a brisk walk downtown, and it held up reasonably well against the wind, but it lacks the radiance or complexity to truly captivate."

"### The Scent Profile Energetically New York opens with a surprisingly bold violet accord, less delicate floral and more candied violet pastilles crushed under a leather boot. The cardamom attempts to add warmth, but leans towards a slightly medicinal, camphoraceous edge. The heart introduces a powdery iris, reminiscent of old makeup compacts, sitting atop an aggressively synthetic ambroxan. The cedarwood in the base presents itself as pencil shavings rather than a fragrant forest. Here, the leather attempts to soften the composition, but unfortunately it reads as a plasticky veneer over the sandalwood which arrives late and feels thin. While the inspiration is evident, it lacks the creamy depth and diffusive quality of its muse; instead, this takes a more linear, sharply defined path. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? This fragrance is for the individual who wants to project an air of curated nonchalance without fully committing. They are perhaps a student of architecture, sketching in a stark, minimalist loft space; confident in their aesthetic, but still refining their tastes. They appreciate the *idea* of sophistication, but haven't quite mastered the art of effortless chic. ### The Performance Stats Longevity is approximately 5-6 hours on skin, projecting strongly for the first hour at about an arm's length, then quickly settling closer to the skin. Tested during a busy workday in an office environment. The initial strength could be overwhelming in close quarters but dissipates relatively quickly."

"### Notes & Nuances Emotions N°03 Ebony Wood opens with a vegetal violet leaf note, starkly similar to fresh-cut green bell peppers. The cardamom attempts to spice it up, but there's a cloying sweetness underneath, like dissolving sugar packets in tepid water. The iris is present, but it's more of a powdered makeup bag accord than a velvety orris butter. The drydown is where it significantly deviates from its inspiration. Instead of creamy sandalwood, it's dominated by a harsh, synthetic cedarwood that clashes with a surprisingly acrid, rubbery leather. The ambrox gives it a noticeable lift, but ends up creating an overall unpleasant, scratchy sensation. The DNA of the original is there, but the execution is flawed, with some off-putting elements. ### Is it Worth It? This is a casual, daytime fragrance best suited for spring and fall. Its unassuming character makes it appropriate for situations where you don't want to command attention, like running errands. However, its synthetic qualities might become grating with prolonged wear, limiting its appeal as a daily driver. ### Longevity & Projection Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 5-6 hours on skin. Projection is initially within arm's reach, but quickly settles down to a skin scent after the first hour. I tested it in various scenarios, including office settings and outdoor activities, and found its performance to be consistently underwhelming, a faint whimper rather than a confident roar."

"### Olfactory Experience Mountain Woody Forest opens with a jarring violet accord. It's not the fresh, green violet leaf; instead, it presents as a cloying, artificial grape soda note, underscored by a muted cardamom that lacks vibrancy. The heart attempts to mimic the iris found in its inspiration, but falls short, offering a chalky, almost powdery impression that veers towards a makeup counter accord rather than a refined, buttery orris. The ambrox is present, providing an abstract woody amber effect, but it contributes to a slightly synthetic edge. The base attempts to ground the fragrance with cedarwood, yet the execution is marred by a prominent, stiff leather note akin to a new car interior. The promised sandalwood is minimal, lost in the cacophony of the synthetic leather and cedar. It differs significantly from its muse, lacking the creamy, comforting sandalwood and subtle vegetal musk. ### The Verdict This fragrance is best suited for cooler months, ideally autumn. Its projection makes it better suited for casual daytime wear, but given its synthetic nature, be wary of enclosed spaces where it could become overwhelming. It's a daytime scent, but not one that would be appropriate for formal occasions. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 5 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong within the first hour, extending to about an arm's length, before quickly diminishing to a skin scent. I tested it in a climate-controlled office environment and found that it could become cloying after several hours of continuous wear."

"### Olfactory Experience King Asad kicks off with a violet that's less floral sweetness and more violet leaf - green, almost grassy, paired with a mellow cardamom. It's a pleasant, restrained beginning. The heart shifts towards a drier territory. The iris here isn't powdery or cosmetic, but adds a subtle earthy aspect, like damp soil. Ambrox lends a mineralic touch, avoiding the chemical screech often associated with it. The drydown is where the cedarwood takes center stage, presenting as pencil shavings, alongside a smooth, almost suede-like leather note. The sandalwood is there, but it's subdued, lacking the creamy richness of a true Mysore sandalwood. It’s very similar to its inspiration, but more linear, less nuanced in its development. It lacks the contrasting dill pickle twang that Santal 33 is known for, opting for a safer, more streamlined route. ### Wear time & Sillage I got a solid 6-7 hours of wear from King Asad. Projection is moderate for the first couple of hours, extending about an arm's length. After that, it settles closer to the skin, becoming a personal scent bubble. I wore it to the office and received no complaints, which is always a good sign. It also held up well during an evening walk. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? If King Asad were a character, it would be the quiet, competent architect in a rom-com. Someone reliable, with good taste, but lacking a certain spark that would truly captivate you."

"### Scent Breakdown King Asad kicks off with a strong violet leaf, but less photorealistic and more…violet candy. There’s a slight medicinal cardamom struggling underneath, like a cough drop dissolving too slowly. The iris in the heart attempts refinement, but the ambrox is dialed up too high, creating a scratchy, almost metallic sensation. This aggressively overtakes any powdery nuance. The cedarwood in the base is present, but lacks the creamy sandalwood depth of its inspiration. Instead, it veers towards pencil shavings, with a thin, synthetic leather accord that smells distinctly plasticky in the drydown. It attempts to capture the iconic profile, and initially tricks the nose, but the lower quality materials become obvious quickly. ### Is it Worth It? King Asad is for someone who desires a sandalwood-esque fragrance primarily for their own enjoyment, but isn't overly concerned with the intricacies of perfumery. Perhaps a student, an artist, or anyone who appreciates a clean, woody scent, but prioritizes quantity over exceptionally high quality. They likely value efficiency and prefer spending their resources elsewhere. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity is surprisingly tenacious, clinging to skin for around 6-7 hours. However, projection is moderate at best, extending about an arm's length for the first hour, then quickly settling into a close skin scent. I wore it during a day of errands and while it lasted, it never drew any compliments or negative attention. It exists, quietly."