Cartier Santos by Cartier

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Basil, Lavender, Juniper Berry, Bergamot.
Nutmeg, Rosemary, Vetiver, Geranium, Pepper.
Patchouli, Cedar, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Amber, Castoreum.

After a recent review of Belle du Soir, I am compelled to update Santos by Cartier simply because it needed to be revised and because of the similarities. The Belle du Soir wearings reminded me just how good this 1981 gem really is.

One of the downsides to having many bottles in your wardrobe collection is that, for sheer numbers sake, you seem to forget the uniqueness of the older ones and focus on adding new. It's always nice to be pulled back to your roots by a scent that still impresses you.

The opening of Santos is a very lush Lavender-Juniper combination with accents from citrus and spice. It's extremely deep and the Juniper rendition is reminiscent of Alain Delon Plus.

Within a few minutes, this accord darkens even more due to the Patch-Cedar-Sandal conglomerate surging upwards and inserting itself into the transition. The manner in which Santos is tuned gives me the top, part of the base, the heart and then finally the remainder of the finishing notes.

The most noticeable difference between Santos and Belle du Soir ( to me ) is the fact that Santos evolves more of a leather quality in conjunction to to dry woods, smoke and spice. In truth, the fragrances are brother and sister or, to be more accurate, brother and little brother. If, for some reason, I could not find Santos to purchase, I would buy Belle du Soir and really wouldn't miss a beat.

Ten minutes into Santos, it settles down into a dry, smoky woods with spice, earth tones and a bit of a bite to it. It manages to retain a smooth nature in spite of all this. Belle du Soir is a bit drier and a hair less spicy.

Santos dries down with its dry, spicy woods becoming leathery and a slow onset of vanilla that's extremely subtle. That is about as sweet as Santos ever becomes. Sillage is perfectly attenuated and longevity is 5 hours plus on me. Thumbs up ( again ) for Santos by Cartier.

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