New Fragrance Review: AMOUROUD Santal des Indes (Irina Burlakova) 2016 + Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Photo: Amouroud launch party at Osswald NYC display photo by Hernando for CaFleureBon

In February 2016, I attended Elements Showcase and scouted a new brand called Amouroud. While I have little “amour” for Oud in general, I was impressed by the perfumes, (especially  the three without oud). The line was formerly introduced chez Osswald,the luxe perfume and beauty boutique in Soho, at a gala event, May 18, 2017. According to Josie Plumey, Fragrance Director of OsswaldNYC, Amouroud is owned by The Perfumer’s Workshop.  She told me, “The Perfumer’s Workshop has a storied history – I’m sure most perfumistas have worn Tea Rose at some point in their lives! Amouroud is the next logical step from the brand’s history of custom-blending and in-depth client interaction. The line is a balance between typically ‘dark’ notes and brighter notes and accords… not only about oud”.  

Famous Absinthe Drinkers: Absinthe Drinkers Oscar Wilde, Van Gogh, Arthur Rimbaud, Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Manson, The Absinthe Drinker by Edouard Manet, Green Muse by Albert Maignan, Angel Fernández de Soto with Absinthe by Pablo Picasso, and 'Monsieur Boileau Au Café' by Henri Tolouse Lautrec

 One of my favorites from the line is Santale des Indes, which is also the favorite of Sr. Contributor Sebastian Jara of the YouTube Channel Looking Feeling Smelling Great, and founder of a popular Facebook Group. His review of this beautifully composed creation with creamy Mysore sandalwood, incense and an surprisingly bright and addictive absinthe  note.

For more on the history of Absinthe: read Elise’s history of Absinthe in perfumes and  its use as a hallucinogenic here –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

:

Amouroud Santal Des Indes Review + Full Bottle or 6 x 5ml Discovery Set USA Giveaway

Disclosure: Sebastian received samples and a bottle of Santal des Indes courtesy of OsswaldNYC, I received my samples from Amouroud in 2016.

Amouroud Santal des Indes photo by Sebastian for CaFleureBon

Thanks to Amouroud and  OsswaldNYC, we have a 100 ml bottle ($200) of  Santal des Indes  for a registered CafleureBon reader and Looking Feeling Smelling Great subscriber in the USA (if you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid).

Amouroud Discovery set of 6 x5ml spray perfumes: photo by Josie Plumey

We also have a 6 x5ml discovery kit courtesy of Osswald of Midnight Rose, Dark Orchid, Santal des Indes,Miel Sauvage (Josie’s favorite), Oud de Jour and Safran Rare.

So there are two USA ONLY winners.

To be eligible please leave a comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed about Sebastian’s YouTube fragrance review, if you want the discovery kit or the bottle of Santale des Indes. Draw closes 6/10/ 2016. You can follow us @cafleurebon @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram. Check out @osswaldnyc and @amouroud as well

 

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

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48 comments

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    As usual, I enjoyed Sebastian’s review; he really is a great asset to Cafleurbon. His palpable enthusiasm makes me feel drawn to try this and I will seek out a sample. I would love the opportunity to own a full bottle of this ‘effervescent’ and creamy perfume. I am in the US, thank you for the chance!

  • Timothy says:

    I love Sebastian’s reviews. I learn about new fragrances Everytime I watch his videos. Would like to try the samples, seem very interesting. I think it would be something I would really get into. Thanks

  • Hasib says:

    Nice review Sebastian and thanks for this opportunity
    To own a full bottle or sample set! It’s cool how some Scents
    Take you back somewhere. This one sounds good. Haven’t tried anything
    From this House. Looking forward
    Bay Area
    Peace

  • Mack Elwood says:

    Loved the review, as always. I really enjoyed how Sebastian mentioned the somewhat effervescent quality of this juice and how it was much lighter than you may expect from that combo of notes. I’m very interested in the full bottle opportunity!

  • NiceVULady says:

    Sebastian always gives a really detailed review. I would love the Discovery Kit. It would give me an opportunity to explore this House. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Chet Vhr says:

    Great review as always! Thank you for a chance of winning a full bottle and sample. Watching this review reminds me of Hemingway’s rich description of absinthe in his novel “From Whom the Bell Tolls”.

    “Robert Jordan pushed the cup toward him. It was a milky yellow now with the water and he hoped the gypsy would not take more than a swallow. There was very little of it left and one cup of it took the place of the evening papers, of all the old evenings in cafe’s, of all chestnut trees that would be bloom now in this month, of the great slow horses of outer boulevards, of the Stade Buffalo, and of the Butte Chaumont, of the Guaranty Trust Company and the Ile de la Cite’, or Foyot’s old hotel, and of being able to read and relax in the evening; of all the things he had enjoyed and forgotten and that came back to him when he tasted that opaque, bitter, tongue-numbing, brain-warming, stomach warming, idea-changing liquid alchemy.”

    “In this, the real absinthe, there is wormwood. It’s supposed to rot your brain out but I don’t believe it. It only changes the ideas.”

  • Gerald says:

    Love the review and love all the notes in this!! Also keen to try an absinthe fragrance!!NYC here

  • Sean R says:

    I loved the bottle as the way it looks and there is alot of notes in this bottle that I love in terms oud and sandalwood and Vetiver.

  • Dalya says:

    This sounds delightful! The last absinthe I really got that magical mystery smell from is House of Matriarch’s Forbidden. This sounds amazing and would love to try it. Thanks

  • Selina says:

    I have recently found Sebastian on YouTube. I love how much he loves what he does, it shines through in his reviews! He makes me want to try everything…I already have a perfume problem…this isn’t helping, lol. I would definitely be interested in a FB of Santal fed Indes! Absinthe, insense and Mysore sandalwood…sounds amazing!!!

  • Hellinic says:

    I am intrigued by the note of Absinthe. Also if Sebastian is so excited about this fragrance, I am certain it is worth a full bottle. Thank you for the opportunity to participate. I would be interested in entering the draw for the full bottle. My homestate is Florida. Thank you kindly 🙂

  • Gina says:

    Discovery kit. I loved all the spice notes. I enjoy oud and was surpised this isn’t about oud. But I enjoy most of the notes listed.

  • Steve Taniguchi says:

    I always follow Sebastian when it comes to fragrance review. Very detailed
    and encouraging. One of the best fragrance guru. More power to you Sebastian.

  • Sarah says:

    This fragrance seems wonderful. I’d love to add this bottle to my collection. Sandalwood is one of my favorite notes in a fragrance.

  • Steve says:

    I have been looking for a good absinthe fragrance. Looking forward to trying it some time.

  • Steve A says:

    I enjoy the absinthe note also. And licorice smells nice on me. The excitement over this new fragrance was contagious. I would love the full bottle. USA

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Love all of Sebastian’s reviews. I like how he gave us the backstory of how he smelled these fragrance notes growing up. I always like hearing about personal fragrance stories in different cultures. I also like how he described the fizziness. I love fizzy fragrances. I would like the bottle of Santale des Indes. Thanks for the draw!

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Love Sebastian’s description of the kind of fizziness at the top of the scent, as well as him describing his associations between anise and childhood (drinking tea to settle your stomach). I love absinthe, sandalwood, and incense, which sounds like the central focuses of this scent, so I’d love a bottle of this if I were to win, though either prize sounds wonderful. Interested to hear about this new line! Excited to stop in at Osswald when I’m back in New York. In the US!

  • badkid says:

    I love absinthe but idont know how smells in fragrances.. very interesting smoky sandalwood 🙂

  • fazalcheema says:

    Sebastian explains how some spices used in Santale des Indes particularly appeal to him such as anise and licorice because these spices were often used by his family so he has fond memories. He also explain Santale des Indes is one of few from Amouroud that are not focused on oud. It also has Mysore Sandalwood which makes sense given fragrance name. Thanks a lot for the generous draw. My choice is bottle of Santale des Indes. I am in the US

  • Sudipta Dutta says:

    I have not tried absinthe ever. Hope to try Santale des Indes as I like smoky smells.
    I am in USA

  • Marcus says:

    Since I’m outside the US, I just want to say thank you for bringing that brand to my attention!

  • Michael McDonald says:

    Loved his description of the bright, addictive absinthe! I also love incense, so it’s sounding like this is a must-have. I’d love the bottle

  • bhaffar says:

    Sebastian does a great job spotlighting new fragrances. I would like to win the full bottle. Thanks!

  • psebi101 says:

    I like Sebastian’s enthusiast and informative review the details and passion he puts into it. I think I will like this one based on his review. Thanks for the draw, I’d love to win a bottle of it. US

  • Kyle Stevens says:

    I would love to try this I’m a big fan of sandalwood and Absinthe intrigues me

  • zamar says:

    I love Sandalwood well crafted perfumes. Thank Cafleurebon and Sebastian for bringing this up.
    I would go with the full bottle. Live in the USA.

  • Alberto says:

    First and foremost, Sebastian is a fantastic role model for the fragrance community. His knowledge and wisdom about fragrances are nothing short of sensational. He is very experienced with many niche brands as well as designer, but his bread and butter is niche. Sebastian is intelligent, passionate, high self esteem, positive, inspiration is clearly in his aura. Sandalwood of India is quite interesting. I love studying and experiencing different scents from many different countries. Based on his articulation, this scent seems very potent and powerful. The way he described the scent as “fizzy” like soda makes the composition much more enticing. The note of Absinthe is rarely used in fragrances from what I have observed. Definitely the bottle represents history of when Absinthe aka “green fairy” was present in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s before it got banned from many countries. In all seriousness, Santale des Indes is clearly unique in it’s own right. The juice seems to be a very special composition. If I were selected a winner, I would choose the full bottle of Santale des Indes without question. I would like to sincerely appreciate and give my gratitude to Sebastian and Cafleurebon for this generous giveaway. I reside in California, USA.

  • Vahagn says:

    This sounds beutiful!!!
    I always like Sebastian’s reviews- nice, frankly and informative.
    I love sandalwood.
    I would like to win full bottle.
    USA, DE

  • rox says:

    Absinthe and incense being magical and fizzy!!! Count me in. I know Sebastian samples a lot of fragrance, so if he is excited about this it’s must be good. I have fond memories of anise from when my Italian neighbor would bring over some waffle cookies with anise and I do drink Absinthe on occasion. I would love to win the full bottle of Santale des Indes. I live in the U.S. Thanks for the review and the drawing.

  • melisande says:

    Thanks for another great review Sebastian! The creamy drydown sounds amazing.
    I’d love to try the full bottle.
    USA

  • karo says:

    Sebastian’s reviews are always great and he does another outstanding job on Santale. He describes it so well and absinthe has been an intrigueing, green, boozy note. Drying down with the creaminess and buttery effect of Sandalwood is the finishing polish on a stellar fragrance. I would love the discovery set. I’m in the US. Thank you so much.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    This sounds unique and delightful, thank you for the review! Absinthe as a taste is pretty overwhelming to me, but as a scent i completely dig it. Also really go for the artists from absinthe’s heyday more than any other. I would love that full bottle, and again, thank you for a really fun review!

  • Taj says:

    Sebastian always finds the new houses in fragrances. Truly expands my range. I’m intrigued by this house!!

  • xXxrootxXx says:

    What i really enjoyed about sebastians review was his story about how this fragrance brought him back to a time when he was young and the licorice and anise were used by his family as a herbal remedy.
    I m in u.s.a. and would love to win the bottle thnx for amazing giveaway .

  • Daniel Bourne says:

    Another great review by Sebastian. I am not familiar with this brand at all, but I love licorice and sandalwood fragrances and am interested in trying this. I must also look into some other Amouroud fragrances. I would love to win a full bottle of this.

  • Anna Egeria says:

    A great review by Sebastian! I’m familiar with absinthe as I knew people who made their own. I loved The Perfumer’s Workshop and wondered what became of them. I’d like to win the sampler. Thanks for this giveaway. I’m in the US.

  • Gypsy Parfumista says:

    I dearly enjoy Sebastian’s reviews. In this one he has his usual soft-spoken style but I do believe he smiled more in this video than any I had previously seen and for him to say (smelling as many as he must) how he really LOVED it has me lemming to do so also!

    I would go for the sampler set of the six scents (despite how awesome Santal de Indes must be considering Michelyn AND Sebastian both picked it as the best) as I am a sucker for a cute drawstring pouch and love variety of choice and the ability to experience an entire line!

    Registered Cafleurebon reader and GFSG subscriber who lives in the US.

    Thanks to all involved with the piece and the draw! 😀

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the amazing review Jara! Whatever you reviews I put it on my want list. The notes absinthe, Mysore sandalwood (a rare note), cedar, incense captivating, so definitely Amouroud Santal des Indes is perfect for me. Nice to know that Amouroud is owned by The Perfumer’s Workshop and Amouroud are extremely refined, perfectly proportioned and beautifully balanced perfumes. My choice is full bottle if I win.
    Thanks to Amouroud & OsswaldNYC for the generosity and Cafleurebon for the opportunity by letting my relative address in US.

  • kaitracid says:

    I like the way Sebastian connects with this perfume as it reminds him of spices his mother used when he was a child. He is very enthusiastic about this one and I think I would like it based on his description. Thank you for the draw! US

  • allaces says:

    Thanks for diving in to this line of fragrances Sebastian. I like the couple of fragrances Ive tried with absinthe notes in it(Fou d’absinthe) and Ive tried samples of Oud du Jour and Santale des Indes and would loooooove a bottle of it. Im in the USA. Thanks so much for the opportunity for this wonderful fragrance 🙂

  • Pete Pohlen says:

    I like how Sebastian explains the scent well while still keeping the video short. I would like the discovery kit. Lots of interesting note breakdowns. I am unfamiliar with the brand.