Guerlain Santal Royal

Mostly dense smoky resinous wood, rich and medicinal. An acquired taste for many Western noses. Underneath that, the flower itself, ranging from jammy to green depending on the blend.

It opens on neroli and jasmine, moves through rose, peach and cinnamon, and settles on agarwood (oud), sandalwood and leather.

• neroli: the bright, just-squeezed side of orange blossom: green, clean and faintly bitter
• jasmine: a rich white flower, heady and full. Up close it turns slightly animal, which some people love and others find too much

It lasts well and carries into a room.

Built from the note listing and the measured performance figures. We have not smelled this one.