Sandalwood absolute smells like warm, creamy intimacy—imagine walking into a room where someone's just lit a subtle incense stick, mixed with a whisper of vanilla and buttered toast. It's woody, yes, but not harsh or sharp like cedarwood. Instead, it's soft and powdery, almost skin-like, with a gentle sweetness that feels close and embracing. There's an earthy, almost milky quality that makes it smell both ancient and comforting—like holding warm, scented wood against your cheek.
Sandalwood absolute comes from the heartwood of *Santalum album* trees, native to India (particularly southern regions like Karnataka). Extraction involves steam-distilling the aged, dense wood, then creating an absolute through solvent extraction, which captures the richer, more complex molecules lost in essential oil alone. Indian sandalwood has been treasured for over 4,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine and Hindu rituals. Today, supply is carefully managed due to over-harvesting; many perfumers now blend in synthetic sandalwood molecules to preserve these precious trees.
Sandalwood absolute acts as a luxurious, stabilising base note that grounds fragrances with warmth and sensuality. Perfumers use it to add depth, longevity, and a creamy softness that makes compositions feel sophisticated and intimate. It's often paired with spices, florals, or musks to create sophisticated, skin-scent fragrances.
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