Hermès will launch Santal Massoïa next month. Santal Massoïa will be the tenth fragrance in the Hermessence Collection, and like the others, was developed by Hermès house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena.
The magnetic union of two milky woods, sandalwood and massoia. Supple, instinctive, sensual.
«There are linear, vertical woods like cedar, and others that are horizontal, round, supple and velvet-smooth, such as sandalwood and massoia. With this understanding in mind, I composed this enigmatic, inviting yet distant perfume of milky woods, with its unusual, pungent hints of resin and dried fruit, and familiar smells of dulce de leche and flowers.» Jean-Claude Ellena
Hermès Santal Massoïa will be available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette, $235.
(via uk.hermes)
Update: see a review of Hermès Santal Massoïa.
Oh, I am excited about this one – don’t know if it will be in the Hermes shop I am visiting next week, but it is worth a try. I was recently disappointed by Tom Ford Santal Blush – stunningly smooth but too pallid with not enough blush, basically – so am ready to try the next alleged milky sandalwood beauty. ; – )
I am excited about this one too. I like Santal Blush but it wasn’t immediate “love must have” — will spend more time with it.
I’m with you both here. I keep hoping for a sandalwood -based scent that’s “more” than sandalwood, if that makes sense. Santal Rouge wasn’t it for me, though it is very nice.
I was tempted to buy this TF, except on me there was a lingering cumin note. Cumin = sweaty old guy = never getting any perfume with this note…
Just curious, at what point (only because I don’t think I’ve noticed with the copy of the last couple) did they drop that concept of the Hermessences each supposed to be representative of a fabric type?
So far as I know, they only did that for the initial release of 4.
Oh my, colour me giddy. I love milky sandalwood fragrances and I’m a huge fan of JCE in general and Hermessence line in particular. Both Amouge and Chanel Les Exclusifs disappointed this year so I’m really hoping this one won’t be a let down.
Ditto all of that! In general, for me, this has been a better year for mainstream than niche.
everything Abyss said but with extra exclamation points!
Between the description and JCE, I must try this. I’m finding that I really love a lot of his work, and finding a sandalwood that works on my skin would be great.
I’m excited too, I love sandalwood but have yet to find the right sandalwood perfume – this sounds promising! I also found Santal Blush a little dull, the sandalwood part was stunning but it was just all a little too linear…
Woods with hints of resin and dried fruit – this sounds pretty intriguing to me! Is JCE doing a light Lutens after all?
I thought the same thing–dried fruit made me think of Lutens stewed fruit.
DYING to try this one!
I. can’t. wait.
1.) Hemessence
2.) JCE
3.) creamy sandalwood
what’s not to like???
Santal Blush however, was a huge disappointment.
Every time I see a new launche of Hemès or Thierry Mugler it makes me feel in panic… when will it be available for me? I know the aswers for some of them… Robin, which one of Hermessence Collection is the best for you?
My favorites are Vetiver Tonka & Osmanthe Yunnan, but also own & love Rose Ikebana, Brin de Reglisse, Vanille Galante. So at least 1/2 the line works for me!
That’s quite an endorsement…sounds like I need to try Vetiver Tonka and Vanille Galante. OY has been a lovely addition to my little FB family, but I’m sure it’s lonely. 😉
I think Vetiver Tonka is my desert island scent — do try it!!
Will visit the local Hermès boutique next chance I get!
Hum, I need to stop doing computer trips, do a real trip and visit a Hermès store though… 🙂
I am *so* excited about this one!! Like many people who have commented, I’m a big fan of JCE and I adore Osmanthe Yunnan and like Vanille Galant (the two Hermessences I’ve tried so far, but the rest are on my list) and I positively love sandalwood and have been looking for a good sandalwood lately. This sounds so lovely, I really can’t wait to try it!
I’m very excited about this! i love sandalwood and Ellena – the combination sounds very promising!
its out already and smells DELICIOUS. very creamy, the slightest notion of coconut, a bit sweet, but the color is PERFECT for that fragrance.
might become my newest favorite Hermessence!
Ugh, coconut! Pass!
it’s barely there tho and not concrete at all.
Gosh I can’t wait to smell this.
Prism – where’d you smell it? In a US Hermes boutique?
in Europe. it really doesn’t smell anything like other sandalwood scents i’ve smelled till now.
then again, Vetiver Tonka didn’t smell like any other Vetiver i’ve smelled before either.
Oh Mike, I just logged in to ask the same question. I can’t wait to find out if it is already at the boutique. I have been looking forward to this release. I liked Tom Ford’s santal and I like Santal Blanc very much and I can’t wait to try this one.
I’m intrigued, too. I like the idea of an “enigmatic, inviting yet distant perfume.” Sort of the Ellena style, come to think of it!
Totally agree! Especially “inviting yet distant.” There’s something a little aloof about JCE, and yet so intriguing!
Exactly!
I. So. Want. Sounds like something that you could easily invest in a 500ml bottle of…. oh heck, why not 1000ml.
Dulce de leche AND flowers . . . just when I thought I was cured . . . . (reaches for wallet)
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/10/28/11/meet-jean-claude-ellena-scent-writer-hermes
Just saw this interveiw piece and thought I would share.