All Sandalwood not created equal?

[JamieW]

I got a sample of EJ shaving cream with my DE89 from TESC and, of all the products I've tried so far, LOVE the scent of the Jagger Sandalwood the best. But (despite spending the equivalent of 2 years of Mach III blades in the two months I've been DE shaving), I'm not ready to drop $20 on a tube of cream.

So I added a puck of Ogollala Bay Rum and Sandalwood to my my most recent order from WCS, thinking that I would get some sandalwood goodness at a lower price point. In this case, I was wrong. One sniff of the baby powder disgustingness of the puck told me it was a completely different scent all together. (I'll be trading that unused puck on the B&S forum as soon as I am able - baby powder goes on my 2yo's butt, not on my BBS face!)

What's the deal with that? If I were to walk up to 10 sandalwood trees and give them a good sniff, wouldn't they all smell the same? Aren't all of the products made from essence of sandalwood? And who has the most accurate interpretation of the scent - EJ or Ogolalla? If I continue to try other sandalwood soaps/creams, will most of them smell like baby powder?

 

[JPDyson]

Welcome to my plight. I heard D.R. Harris had one of the finest Sandalwood scents out there, so I bought a bottle of the Splash and the Green Pond cream to go with it. Hate it.

I haven't found a bigger variance in scent than that which I've noticed in Sandalwood from different vendors. My favorite scent by far unfortunately didn't agree with my skin as well as it did my nose. So I'm still looking for an excellent Sandalwood Soap or Cream & Splash.

Saint Charles is next, whenever they get back from Vacation.

 

[kingfisher]

Most sandalwood products are not made from the "essence of the tree" but from fragrance oils (the essence would be essential oil rather than fragrance oil). Essential oils are generally much more expensive, and the good real sandalwood essential oil is hard to come by, which makes it pricier still.

Sandalwood fragrance oils vary a lot, and many contain lots of other scents in addition to sandalwood.

 

[RockyNomad]

The Ogallala puck is bay rum and sandalwood which is why it smells different. Also, each manufacturer will add different ingrediants/scents to their products. I too fell in love with that cream sample and have been looking for a comparable and more affordable option.

 

[Evbo]

Unfortunately, QED no longer makes its sandalwood shaving soap. If they did, you'd get to experience real sandalwood, first-hand.

However, all is not lost. Straight Razor Designs makes an EO- (and glycerin-) based sandalwood shaving soap. I haven't tried it, but I've read that it's very close to QED's scent. So if you want to know what the real thing smells like, you should start there. But be warned: it ain't cheap.

In answer to your other question no, not all sandalwoods smell the same. As with any other plant, it depends on the species of tree, where it's grown, how old it is, etc. There are differences among Indian/Australian/Vanuatuan/New Caledonian/Sri Lankan, etc. sandalwoods. But that's another story.

 

[JamieW]

Writing this post got me thinking...

So I hopped over to EBay, and purchased a small vial of Sandalwood essential oil for $4. That should at least give me an idea of what "real" sandalwood smells like, and, if I like the scent, maybe I can add a drop to a puck of VDH when I'm lathering up.

 

[Vlad]

I got a sample of EJ shaving cream with my DE89 from TESC and, of all the products I've tried so far, LOVE the scent of the Jagger Sandalwood the best. But (despite spending the equivalent of 2 years of Mach III blades in the two months I've been DE shaving), I'm not ready to drop $20 on a tube of cream.

So then why not get the EJ Sandalwood soap? The puck is less than $10, and the scent is identical to the cream (to my nose, anyway).

 

[JamieW]

The Ogallala puck is bay rum and sandalwood which is why it smells different. Also, each manufacturer will add different ingrediants/scents to their products. I too fell in love with that cream sample and have been looking for a comparable and more affordable option.

I have a puck of Col Conk's Bay Rum, and a puck of vintage Shelton Old Spice. The Ogallala smells nothing like either of those, or the EJ Sandalwood YMMV!

 

[JamieW]

So then why not get the EJ Sandalwood soap? The puck is less than $10, and the scent is identical to the cream (to my nose, anyway).

See, I wasn't sure that the scent would be exactly the same. Thanks for confirming, I may go that route.

 

[TheRuckus13]

Unfortunately, QED no longer makes its sandalwood shaving soap. If they did, you'd get to experience real sandalwood, first-hand.

However, all is not lost. Straight Razor Designs makes an EO- (and glycerin-) based sandalwood shaving soap. I haven't tried it, but I've read that it's very close to QED's scent. So if you want to know what the real thing smells like, you should start there. But be warned: it ain't cheap.

In answer to your other question no, not all sandalwoods smell the same. As with any other plant, it depends on the species of tree, where it's grown, how old it is, etc. There are differences among Indian/Australian/Vanuatuan/New Caledonian/Sri Lankan, etc. sandalwoods. But that's another story.

Funny you say that, I have a tub of QED Sandalwood, and I like my Art Of Shaving Sandalwood waaaaay more. Sandalwood is a great scent but without other notes along with it it's too dry and intense, but with a few other notes along with it it's my favorite.

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

EJ sandalwood is the only sandalwood I enjoy of the ones I've tried. A lot of them smell like old lady to me.

 

[RayH]

I would suggest getting a tube of AOS Sandalwood. It has a really good sandalwood scent. Another one to try would be the TOBS Sandalwood. Similar to the AOS in my nose's opinion. And both give quality shaves.

 

[Evbo]

Funny you say that, I have a tub of QED Sandalwood, and I like my Art Of Shaving Sandalwood waaaaay more. Sandalwood is a great scent but without other notes along with it it's too dry and intense, but with a few other notes along with it it's my favorite.

See? There you go. Scent is a very personal thing. I think AoS's Sandalwood smells great, but I prefer the dry intensity of QED's. That's what I love so much about it.

 

[Lando]

EJ sandalwood is my favorite sandalwood. Actually, its the only sandalwood I've enjoyed so far. Trumper sandalwood cream, DR Harris sandalwood splash, Kell's sandalwood soap - none of these were pleasing to my nose.

EJ sandalwood has an intoxicating, almost erotic scent. My wife sure likes it! The cream and soap smell identical, and the AS balm is almost identical and very moisturizing. Get 'em all!

 

[ouch]

Hands down, my favorite is the AoS sandalwood soap. Although the QED has grown on me over the years.

 

[RILEY]

For me Sandalwood as a scent has been either hit or miss.

The only one that I ever came across that appeals to me & would actually purchase is by TOBS

 

[Eighties]

I have a love hate relationship with Sandalwood. I love it but SWMBO and others seem to hate it on me.

I have so far tried the Crabtree and Evelyn Sandalwood creams and SS which is more available in my area. I also lucked into some AoS Sandlewood Cream, AS and PreShave Oil and like the scent much better but don't have access to a steady supply in my area (or the funds to keep it stocked). Both perform equally well for me.

 

[rodeo]

Just tried a round of Nana June's "Sandalwood / Vanilla" this morning and it was really very nice indeed. Great lather too! Of course, I have no other Sandalwoods to compare it to but still I like it. "This Sandalwood has just a hint of Vanilla"

http://www.nanajunesnaturals.com/se...ngrass,patchouli,sandalwood,peppermint/Detail

 

[JamieW]

The Sandalwood Essential Oil arrived today. After sniffing the 'pure' sandalwood scent, I have to say that the Ogalalla got it right. Not sure what the EJ scent is, but I far prefer it to actual sandalwood. I think I might just need to give up and buy a puck of it .

 

[JPDyson]

Just tried a round of Nana June's "Sandalwood / Vanilla" this morning and it was really very nice indeed. Great lather too! Of course, I have no other Sandalwoods to compare it to but still I like it. "This Sandalwood has just a hint of Vanilla"

http://www.nanajunesnaturals.com/se...ngrass,patchouli,sandalwood,peppermint/Detail

Mama Bear has this as well; I believe they're getting their EO from the same place, which actually sells a combination Sandalwood/Vanilla EO. That's not to compare the soaps - there's a lot more to it than that. Just saying, if you like that scent, check out Mama Bear.