Armani Privé Santal Dān Shā
Giorgio Armani (2022)

This fragrance from Armani appears to be their attempt at creating their own version of Epices Exquises, featuring sandalwood and musk with a hint of bergamot in the top note. However, it seems like many brands are losing their creativity when it comes to using sandalwood, as this scent smells like a typical $40 designer fragrance. I find it disappointing that this fragrance is part of Armani's Prive line, which is supposed to offer more exclusive and unique scents.

This is so good. A bright, slightly spicy and creamy sandalwood with notes of bergamot, cardamom, resins, musk, sandalwood and cedar. Despite the supporting notes this is undeniably a sandalwood forward fragrance.
Absolutely unisex and I expect quite versatile year round; except maybe in high heat.
For me, this evokes a pleasant feeling of browsing around an antique store. It conjures up memories of painted and polished Chinese wood carvings, but with added freshness from the citrus and creaminess from the musk.
It sounds ‘heavy’, but on skin it’s very well balanced and not the least bit cloying. I suspect that the eau de toilette concentration (as opposed to an eau de Parfum) is the reason.
If you are a fan of sandalwood scents and you have an opportunity, I would recommend that you test this latest Armani Prive release.