Bois de Santal is one of the 25 or so fragrances in the Keiko Mecheri line. It has notes of Indian sandalwood, white osmanthus, golden ambergris, tonka bean, and Moroccan ambrette.
Bois de Santal is one of my favorites from this house. The name strikes me as an unfortunate choice — it is not likely to impress someone looking for a straight sandalwood fragrance — but it is well worth trying if you can get past that. It does start with a nice burst of wood notes, but that fades rapidly, leaving behind a transparent floral over a pale musky-woods base. There is a touch of amber, a muted whisper of tonka bean, and possibly some cedar.
The osmanthus here is nothing like the bright, tropical osmanthus of the Keiko Mecheri Osmanthus perfume (see link above): it is very soft, a bit warm, and not particularly fruity or sweet. It is an understated kind of fragrance, with something very calming about it, and while it stays close to the skin, it has very good lasting power. I find that it wears best in temperate weather: it is not strong enough to stand up to deep winter, but is probably a bit much for the very hottest days of summer.
A 75 ml bottle of Eau de Parfum is $80. I do wish that Keiko Mecheri would make smaller bottles. I keep hearing rumors that the line is to be repackaged again, so perhaps that is in the cards. For buying information, see the listing for Keiko Mecheri under Perfume Houses.
I have to admit, I love Keiko Mecheri's fragrances. I've tried A Fleur de Peau, Loukoum, her Patchouli scent, and Peau de Peche – the only one I didn't like was Peau de Peche. I have some samples on order and own bottles of A Fleur de Peau and Loukoum – and am craving a bottle of her Patchouli-based scent. I have a few decants on order too. Can we say addicted?
I have a sample of her Bois de Santal and will try it today, thanks for your lovely review. I'll let you know what I think.
On to my To Try list it goes. Sound very appealing!
Thanks for describing the finer points of this one. Must try, especially because I love osmanthus.
This, along with Osmanthus, is my favorite KM fragrance. There's a delicacy about it that is soothing.
I agree with you regarding the name. It's misleading. I suspect the mediocre reviews this scent receives are due to an expectation of a straight sandalwood fragrance.
We may be opposites on the KM front: I love Peau de Peche, can't stand Loukhoum or Patchouli 😉
M, wonder if you will like it & can't decide.
C, it isn't as heavy on the osmanthus as the KM Osmanthus, but it is certainly worth a try.
I, it reminds me of the disappointment among the hardcore vanilla fans after the release of Annick Goutal Vanille Exquise. It is a great scent, but not what they were looking for.
Robin, I did read something you said about Loukoum – too powdery for you. It's funny – on me, it's just sweetness, more honey than powder. Sweet perfumes and woody fragrances usually smell great on me, but sometimes florals aren't so great, with the exception of a few. I did wear the Bois de Santal today and really liked it.
Well, I read your review, and decided that I MUST get a sample of this. Then, when looking for something else, I realized I already had one (at least I hadn't tried it yet)! This, of course, happens all the time, and reminds me that I should really make a spreadsheet or something of my samples as others do (would that I were so organized).
So, anyway, I'm trying it and liking it a lot. Your wonderful review captures well the lovely interplay of florals and woods. As you said, I think I might want to wear it more as Spring progresses, but I am enjoying it now. I only wish I had known about it when Barney's was having their “old bottle” sale. Oh, well, I did get a huge bottle of Oliban (my fave in the line) for $30 (that sale was one good thing about both the big bottles and the changeover:)! But now I do wish, with you, that they will come out with smaller ones.
G, I have a thing about powder, so perhaps my mind amplifies the amount in Loukhoum, LOL…
So glad you liked the Bois de Santal!
If I remember correctly, the NY Barneys didn't have either Osmanthus or Bois de Santal, at least by the time I checked on what was marked down. I do think they are repackaging again, so perhaps we'll get another chance…
And I can't tell you how many times I've gone off to swap for or buy a sample only to find that I already have one. And I do keep a list!
Or maybe I just like powder! ha – hadn't thought about that. Have you tried Keiko's Patchoulissime? Starts out very patchouli, but then after a few minutes, it's something entirely different, lovely. I really like it. Am trying to restrain myself and not get a bottle just yet, but am having difficulty.
I have tried it, and would agree that it is not at all heavy on the patchouli once the top notes fade.
I sincerely hope I can find KM fragrances to sniff and try on my skin. This one sounds beautiful. (by the way, I love when you use botanical prints in your reviews, Robin)
I wish they were easier to find in person! I should have mentioned that La Creme Beauty has the line also, just not the Bois de Santal, at least at the moment.
I’m rather new to perfume and this is the first one I purchased. I agree with the review – it is just beautiful. I keep re-spraying however, because the scent is very faint after a few hours. Considering the price, I think the lasting power (on me) is disappointing. And, of couse, more sillage! It is so pleasant, I’m sure nobody would mind.
So glad you love it! I have used up more of my bottle than I expected I would.