Indian Study
Miller et Bertaux (2017)

Study, I do actually feel more relaxed and focused. Regardless of what its formula actually contains, this does come very close to the scent of Mysore sandalwood (Santalum album), creamy, somewhat buttery and sweet, smooth and nutty-earthy. Here, it is purported to be accompanied by amyris wood, which is believable, as amyris, long considered adjacent to and a more affordable alternative to sandalwood, is often used to enhance and extend sandalwood in a perfume composition. Its own qualities are more translucent and balsamic, and may serve to balance things out.

There is also a subtle cumin and other spices here, adding extra grain to the wood, nothing too sharp at all, just a slight texture to counter the smoothness. It's worth noting that unlike several other sandalwood fragrances I've experienced, Indian Study, doesn't lean too heavily on cedar, has no curveball notes that detract (see Santal 33) and not a drop of Iso E Super can be detected (even if it may be stealthily present). It's not trying to be anything more profound or complex than what it is—it simply is. There are moments that recall milk powder and old paper—sweet, dusty, dry, still. I also imagine Hindu statues painted with sandalwood paste, spaces of devotion, quiet temples, divine forms of expression, quiet awe. 

It's what it says on the box--Santal. I don't get any cumin or curry. There is a warmth to it that may be the masala. It's not a sweet fragrance, but it's not sharp either, and it captures the facet of creaminess that sandalwood can have. Projection is very low. I like it, but I pretty much like all sandalwoods that don't have a barbershop aspect. I will say that the bottle comes off looking cheap. It's very generic and the label looks like something I could make on a home computer. I've gotten decants from splitters here on Basenotes with better bottles and labels. Thumbs up on the fragrance, thumbs down on the presentation.