Scentrack
Massive
Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
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| Source: Fragrantica |
Sacred Wood is a member of By Kilian’s Asian
Tales collection. The perfumer Calice Becker has tried to recreate the smell of
famous Indian Mysore sandalwood. The gorgeous Mysore sandalwood is at this
moment under the special protection of Indian government, thus widely
unavailable for perfumery purposes. Other sandalwood varieties as Australian or
Caledonian are mostly used these days.
As the name correctly suggests, Sacred Wood
is an extremely woody fragrance. The milky sandalwood note is really prominent.
As not being a sandalwood specialist, I cannot identify which variety is used
in this fragrance. A strong menthol accompanies the sandalwood accord with a touch
terpene-like elemi resin and Indian spices (like a very faint immortelle or
cumin) in the background. Some darker note, incense or oud, gives a little bit
dirtier kick to the composition. The sandalwood-theme is well supported by a strong
cedar backbone, which reminds of Comme des Garcons Wonderwood.
Although having a great performance on
my skin, I find this fragrance overly one-dimensional. It reminds me more of isolated
woody base. Like it is not finished nor possessing a quirky interplay with more
volatile notes. Still, it is well constructed, enjoyable and serene, but
lacking that wow factor. I would like to see this creation more expanded.
Longevity / Projection
Monstrous (12+ hours) / Average
Suggested wearing
Fall and Winter / Both daytime or
evening use
Alternatives
Comme des Garcons Wonderwood – very similar
fragrance, but with some bizarre twist that works on my skin
Diptyque Tam Dao – a green
cypress/sandalwood/cedar combo
Carner Barcelona Palo Santo – the same name,
but more enhanced dark Guaiac and sweet milky notes
Pros
Nice sandalwood accord
Great performance
Easy to wear
Cons
Overly linear
Needs a quirky twist in my opinion
Too similar to a more reasonably-priced
fragrances
Rating
7/10
Disclosure: This review was based on a
sample obtained by the generosity of By Kilian company.
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