Sandalwood has been a token scent associated with a gentleman for decades.
It is the perfect scent to pair with a suit, on a first date, or casually during the daytime. If you are wearing a sandalwood scented cologne you can expect to get attention.
Sandalwood comes from the Santalum tree family.
Its scent has milky, creamy, and warm notes and it is one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery and can be found in fragrances created for men, women, and unisex fragrances too.
Sandalwood also has links to religions as a sacred scent and it is a key ingredient in Arabic perfumery.
Sandalwood is extracted as an essential oil, coming from root chippings and wood chippings that go through a steam distillation process.
Here we look at some of the greatest colognes that smell like sandalwood, featuring both budget and luxury choices.
10 Great Colognes That Smell Like Sandalwood
OUR TOP PICK
It is no surprise that a luxurious scent from the iconic Parisian fashion house Chanel is featured on this list.
Bleu De Chanel was released in 2018 and since then it has steadily become one of the most popular male fragrances.
This fragrance adds a new dimension to the classic sandalwood scented fragrances that have been on the market for many years previous to its release.
The sustainably sourced New Caledonian sandalwood is at the base of this scent which makes this fragrance different from other Eau De Parfum and Eau De Toilette.
The fragrance is an expert combination of cedar, lavender, and geranium and fresher notes of mint, lemon zest, bergamot, and artemisia to offset the deep richness one can expect from a typical sandalwood fragrance.
EDITORS CHOICE
This cologne is a part of the renowned Italian fragrance brand Acqua Di Parma’s Sun Collection.
The scent is very wearable and is smooth on the senses. Whether you like sandalwood or not you will love this scent.
You can expect citrus notes of lemon, orange, bergamot, and pertitgrain giving this fragrance a scent like the Mediterranean.
There are also hints of lavender which brings calm, and smoothness to the fragrance and a nod of cardamom adds a level of spice.
The main ingredient in this fragrance is sandalwood and combined with the notes listed above the sandalwood's creaminess is maximized.
The thing that makes this luxury scent so impressive is that the sandalwood used is one of the most luxurious types there is, Mysore, which was sourced from India.
BEST VALUE
This Valentino fragrance has taken a simple sandalwood scent and made it sexy.
From the black studded bottle to the gold detailing this fragrance screams edginess, something not previously linked with other sophisticated, yet sexy sandalwood scents.
Sandalwood is carefully crafted within a dark deep blend of cinnamon and black pepper.
This smoky scent adds to the sensuality of this fragrance in an oriental but not overpowering way.
The company has since reformulated the scent and so for the best fragrance make sure you get your hands on one of the original bottles.
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Diptyque’s fragrances have steadily become classics within the fragrance world and this specific fragrance is one of the French brand's best scents.
The scent has been expertly blended to beautifully interlink warm and spicy notes to create a smooth, appealing scent.
Upon smelling this fragrance you will be met with opening herbal notes before the scent develops and you get hints of sandalwood, cedar, Brazilian rosewood, spices, and amber.
This scent is the perfect fragrance for any man that loves a deep, woody fragrance but with the added class and timeless ingredient of sandalwood.
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In comparison to other fragrance brands featured on this list NYC based brand Le Labo has steadily become a top competitor in the fragrance world.
Some people may see the brand's popularity as a negative but the scents they create live up to all the hype that surrounds them.
This fragrance was inspired by the ruggedness of Australian sandalwood, think cowboys, leather, and earthiness.
Perfumer Frank Voelkl perfectly encapsulates these ideas in the scent, with notes of lived-in leather, cardamom, cedar, papyrus, and a heavy blend of Ambrox to add an extra layer to the musky level within this scent.
The scent is grounded beautifully by the addition of softer notes of iris and violet which add an element of light, and powderiness to this incredibly masculine scent.
This fragrance was launched as the brand celebrated its first decade in business and it is a sign of the success to come for Le Labo for the next decade too.
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This fragrance does not get the level of attention that it deserves.
The Paris-based niche house Creed is fronted by the Creed family and has had hugely successful fragrances with Green Irish Tweed, Aventus, and others but this 2005 release has flown under the radar for a long time.
The bottle is a stunning ombre color, similar to a sunset, and it was inspired by the spiritual splendor and regality of India.
The oriental inspiration is experienced within the opening notes of this fragrance with a combination of Jamaican ginger and Sicilian lemon and orange trees.
You can also expect to notice hints of lavender and rosemary as well as vanilla and benzoin.
Creed claims that they use the best type of Sandalwood as the key ingredient in this fragrance, Mysore, which is only available in India.
This scent is clean and classy and is sure to please the nose of many.
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While there are not many Japanese perfumeries Comme Des Garcons places Japan on the fragrance map.
Most sandalwood scents are smooth and infused with sensuality but Blue Santal by Comme Des Garcons takes a different route with this sandalwood fragrance.
Blue Santal was released as a part of the Blue Invasion Series from the brand and debuted on the market in 2013 alongside Blue Cedrat and Blue Encens.
This scent does not water down the ruggedness and harsher scent common with Australian sandalwood and it adds an element of icy coolness to this powerful scent.
There are also notes of Mediterranean parasol pine met with fruity notes of juniper berry. The final scent you will experience is the spicy warmth of black pepper.
This fragrance is bold and powerful and may not be suited to those who prefer a more understated fragrance.
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This fragrance was a risk for the infamous French brand Guerlain as it is not designed to simply please the masses but rather to appeal to the bold and brave.
This scent was released in 2014 and remains a top-shelf product within the world of sandalwood fragrances.
This fragrance has many layers that come together to form a full-bodied, deep, and dark scent. .
At the heart of this fragrance is sandalwood, paired with leather, amber, oud, and musks.
The scent is lifted by the addition of lighter notes, such as neroli and jasmine, and wrapped together by a Bulgarian rose spiced with cinnamon.
This is a fantastic fragrance but we recommend trying it before purchasing to ensure the scent is what you want from a sandalwood product.
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Transport yourself to the spicy city of Bombay with this standout fragrance, created by NYC-based brand DS & Durga.
Since launching in 2016 this scent has become a fan favorite.
The scent is inspired by the smells and sounds that one would experience from a transistor radio made from sandalwood.
The opening notes are typical of a sandalwood scent but are balanced with notes of boronia and peach.
Coconut dances with the milkiness of the sandalwood adding a soothing tropical fragrance to this stunning scent.
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If you are looking for a budget-friendly yet luxurious scent then this is the bottle for you!
This affordable sandalwood fragrance is one of the best there is. Serge Lutens founder creates fragrances that give people an experience rather than solely a scent.
One spritz of this fragrance will transport you from your everyday life, with notes of warm yet bitter cacao spices that meet sweet powdery rose scents.
These two contrasting scents blend beautifully together as they are folded together by warm sandalwood which holds the center of this fragrance.
If you want to splash out on a more expensive sandalwood fragrance Serge Lutens has a luxury sandalwood scent called Santal de Mysore which is considerably more expensive but also a scent-based experience.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this list has highlighted some new and exciting fragrances for you and that you will be able to find one that suits your natural skin oils to give you a smooth sandalwood scent all day long.
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