LORGA
SANTAL SUGAR

2022

PERFUMER
Veronika Rebeka Csatlovszky-Nagy

Bergamot
Lychee

Raspberry
Coconut
Violet

Tonka Bean
Creme Brulee
Sandalwood

I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a fragrance that I had so much trouble dissecting as this one. A reason for my troubles in dissecting Santal Sugar might be my expectations. When you look up the notes, you’ll see a lot of sweet, gourmand notes. While Santal Sugar is definitely in part sweet and gourmand, it only tells half the story, at best.

The other half makes for a rather unique juxtaposition. The coconut opens more on the fresh, sun tan lotion side. The floral and fruity tinges don’t present themselves explicitly, but give the fragrance a shampoo like scent; I think the lychee plays a big part here. It reminds me more of a coconut/vanilla body milk or shampoo, than a full-on gourmand. With a big emphasis on milk though! Lactonic is one of the key words for Santal Sugar.

The one fragrance that I can reference that gives me a similar feeling is Kerosene Unknown Pleasures.

As it dries it does grow sweeter and more conventional. The woody and tonka base slowly take over, with the coconut leaving a hint all the way throughout. It makes for a versatile scent profile and it might wear differently in high heat.

Santal Sugar is a really interesting and unique one from Lorga. As far as the new releases; it didn’t win me over as easily as Nectar Cachete, but it’s a winner regardless. I’d say it’s perfectly unisex and hard to compare to anything else.

Lorga’s extraits perform really well, but this one sits closer to the skin than most.