Santal Volcanique by Maison Crivelli

Hey there Posse! Santal Volcanique by Maison Crivelli didn’t come to my attention properly until a spritz at our big city David Jones caught my attention. Yes, I had tried it previously and liked it enough to buy a 30ml from a FaceBook Sale Post. It had been spritzed on arrival  and put in a box. Poor thing languished there forgotten. I rediscovered it sitting there all forlorn after looking for something completely different. Quiet YAY in my head and now it’s back out and getting skin time.

I know we are all overwhelmed by new brands and that there are a lot we don’t even try because… overload. I want to tell you that Maison Crivelli is worth your time to hunt down. They do interesting twists on old tropes. Most have excellent projection and longevity (if that’s important to you). All in all a very well curated, broad selection for a crew with less than 20 fragrances. Santal Volcanique was part of their 2018 opening set of four. I’ve written here before of Fleur Diamantine and Iris Malikhan but one that is on my list to buy is Rose Saltifolia. That one is a marine rose, OMG I want it bad.

Santal Volcanique by Maison Crivelli 2018

Santal Volcanique by Maison Crivelli 2018

Maison Crivelli gives these featured accords:
Ginger essential oil, cardamom essential oil, limette essential oil, sandalwood essential oil, cedar essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, coffee absolute, musks.

How does Santal Volcanique smell and perform? Straight out of the gate I smell freshly grated ginger and some sharp twiggy greenery. It’s a rush and quite joyous, bringing a smile to my face. While the notes don’t fade away as such they are joined by a very tropical white floral. That surprises me because coconut and vanilla aren’t mentioned but they seem to be helping plump the white florals. There are some correlations to a few of the Annick Goutal fragrances.

Sadly the coffee never makes an appearance to my nose. Originally I was interested to see if there was any resemblance to Atelier Cologne’s Café Tuberosa. There isn’t.

Santal Volcanique by Maison Crivelli 2018

The sandalwood really makes its presence known mid heart. It’s got all the dreamy creamy trademarks but also is given a lift by the lovely sharp greenness of fresh cut cedar. Greener than the pencil shaving route and giving the sandalwood an Australian sandalwood opening vibe. If you’ve not smelled it alone there is a scratchy green menthol top till it settles into the sandalwood we know best from perfumery.

Santal Volcanique has excellent longevity. The first hour or two projects beautifully without being overwhelming. Though wearable at any time it has a grandeur that would be divine for really dressy events.

Does Santal Volcanique sound like something you could wear?
Portia xx

 

  • Tom says:

    This sounds really great! You’re getting all the cool stuff down under. I need to get my a$$ out there more. I haven’t been to ScentBar since before the pandemic..

  • March says:

    This sounds like something I would like, I really should track some of these down. As you said there are just so many brands and lovely things to sniff now! I’m always ready to try another sandalwood… and the iris…

    • Portia says:

      March! You might just fall hard for this.
      Portia xx

    • AnnieA says:

      I bought the Iris Malikhan (sp) and it is delicious. I don’t find it an iris though but more of a smoky nougat.

      • Portia says:

        Aha! That iris is bloody gorgeous. Now I need to go back and wear it again looking for Nougat. I can’t remember if I smelled that AnnieA.
        Portia xx

  • Maggiecat says:

    Anything sandalwood gets my attention, and I haven’t tried anything from this house. Yet.

    • Portia says:

      Ah! MaggieCat,
      Sandalwood is one of my faves too. This will definitely float your boat then,
      I hope.
      Portia xx

  • alityke says:

    I’m somewhat afraid of these new ranges that trade on their power & longevity. Not Maison Crivelli per se but others have outstayed their welcome. I might try a single teensy spritz!

    • Portia says:

      Alityke,
      I’m not sure because my skin eats perfume but I think maybe a DAB might do it for you.
      Yeah, there are a few fragrances that I just want to end after about 6 hours but Crivelli seems to do a real story that doesn’t get boring.
      Portia xx

  • Dina C. says:

    Thanks for bringing this brand to my attention, Portia. You’re totally right about being overwhelmed with all the new stuff being released constantly. Glad you re-found it and are enjoying it!

  • Matt says:

    As an owner of a bottle of Oud Maracuja, I am definitely interested in this if you say longevity is their thing. It’s one of the newer interesting fragrances I own that ALWAYS GETS COMMENTED ON…always when I wear it.

  • cinnamon says:

    Ah, your description piques my interest and like the notes list. Name had me thinking about a porn actor …