What Does Sandalwood Smell Like?

You know the feeling when a scent just gets you, not too sweet, not too strong, just smooth and deliciously moreish? That’s probably sandalwood doing its thing. It’s the low-key hero of the fragrance world: always there, never shouting, but making everything smell that bit more luxurious.

You’ll find sandalwood in everything from your fanciest eau de parfum to your cosiest scented candle, but despite its popularity, it’s still one of those notes people struggle to describe. Today, we’re asking the big one: what does sandalwood smell like?

What Does Sandalwood Smell Like?

Sandalwood is one of those scents that’s a bit of a shape-shifter; it’s instantly recognisable, but hard to pin down. At its core, it smells creamy, warm, and woody with just a hint of spice and sweetness that lingers like a flattering compliment. It’s soft and smooth, and has this slightly milky richness that makes you want to inhale again and again.

Depending on where it’s from, the scent can shift a bit. Indian sandalwood tends to be richer and more luxurious, while Australian sandalwood can lean drier and a tad more herbal. Either way, it grounds and calms.

What Does Sandalwood Smell Like in Perfume?

In the perfume world, you’ll find sandalwood is a favourite as a base note, creating the foundation for many fragrance blends. As a base note, it anchors the fragrance, adding depth, warmth, along with creamy comfort that sticks around long after the top notes have scarpered.

It pairs beautifully with florals like jasmine and rose, spices like cardamom, and richer notes like amber or musk. Sometimes it stars in a scent all on its own, but more often it’s the secret sauce behind a beautifully blended fragrance.

The Best Sandalwood Perfumes

We’ve rounded up the best perfumes with sandalwood notes so you get the best of the best of this woody crowd-pleaser.

Why Sandalwood Is So Loved in Fragrance

Sandalwood has serious range. It can smooth out sharp notes, add body to light florals, and bring warmth to cooler scents, and is a classic in the fragrance realm; it goes with everything, works for every occasion, and never goes out of style.

It also has this soothing, almost meditative quality to it. That’s why it’s been used in incense and aromatherapy for centuries. And then there’s the longevity, sandalwood tends to stick around on your skin, leaving behind that earthy, comforting trail long after the first spritz.

The history of sandalwood

Before sandalwood made its way into your favourite perfumes and bougie candles, it was already a pretty big deal. Used for centuries in religious rituals, meditation, Ayurvedic practices and even traditional medicine, sandalwood has long been favoured for its calming scent. Ancient temples in India were built with sandalwood, not just for the divine fragrance, but because it was believed to ward off negative energy.

Traditionally, Indian (or Mysore) sandalwood was the most coveted variety, think buttery and deeply rich. But due to overharvesting, it’s now protected and quite rare. These days, you’ll often find Australian sandalwood or sustainably grown versions taking the spotlight.

Extraction-wise, sandalwood oil is typically taken from the heartwood, that’s the dense, central part of the tree, through steam distillation. It’s a long process that takes decades of tree growth, which partly explains why it’s so highly valued.

the history of sandalwood?a new signature scent, give sandalwood a sniff. You might just find it’s been your favourite fragrance note all along.t