Sandal Ruby

I picked up Sandal Ruby at the airport when I went to sample Emerald Musk from the same collection. While Emerald Musk was beautiful, it pulled a little too leathery on my skin for my liking, whereas Sandal Ruby immediately felt more balanced and wearable. The fragrance opens with a vibrant burst of cinnamon and black pepper, creating a warm, spicy introduction. This quickly gives way to a floral heart of tuberose and geranium. The tuberose here is not the usual sweet, bubblegum-style affair, instead, it feels refined, elegant and beautifully restrained. It blends seamlessly into a rich woody base of sandalwood, touched with patchouli and cedar, giving the composition depth, character and just a hint of edge. There is something wonderfully polished about Sandal Ruby. It feels like soft velvet draped over a leather armchair, comforting and sophisticated, yet with enough spice and texture to keep things interesting. Longevity on my skin is around eight hours, with pronounced projection throughout much of the wear. It is a beautiful fragrance that I think will be particularly appreciated by those who enjoy more distinctive fragrances. It is not what I would consider a safe blind buy, and I would strongly recommend sampling before committing to a full bottle.