AFFINESSENCE
SANTAL BASMATI

2015

PERFUMER
Alexandra Carlin

Sandalwood
Basmati Rice
Cashmeran
Iris
Patchouli

I tried this Affinessence during my first ever visit to a niche store and it stuck with me since.

It’s so unique and really gives off the rice scent straight from the opening. To my nose, it leans towards sesame seeds at first. Nothing I know smells close to identical, but it reminds me a bit of Teo Cabanel Je Ne Sais Quoi. It’s much subtler and more woody than Floraiku One Umbrella For Two. Santal Basmati has way less distractions than those and it quickly loses the sesame punch to become a softer, iris woody and rice-like scent.

While most fragrances with this style of drydown grow very sweet (direction of Bois D’Argent/Bois D’Iris), Santal Basmati doesn’t, as it remains neutral. As it dries down I get more and more of a floral, almost musky tinge. It’s inherently a soft perfume, which is where it’s beauty lies, but it also means that you shouldn’t expect a powerful projection or extreme longevity from this one..