Hermès Santal Massoïa (2011): More Information {New Fragrance}

Following up on the previous post about the new and 10th  Hermessence, Santal Massoïa, we have a bit more news to share. As we had gathered, the fragrance is at one level, a study on the pairing of two lactonic woods, sandalwood and massoïa. But beyond the materiality of the perfume, there is the artistry of the fragrance.

"Santal Massoïa is a poem on the strange and the familiar, an enigmatic encounter, a perfume both inviting and distant."...

The composition, part of the collection of poetic fragrances by the house influenced by the Japanese genre of the Haiku, is said to be quirky and unexpected, a mix of softness and harshness which conferring upon the perfume an imprevisibility which is seen to be as elegant as it is voluptuous.

Besides the sandalwood and massoïa woods, other notes are resins, dulce de leche and dried fruits.

Lest you might think this is going only in the direction of a regressive gourmand, perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena is quick to add a quote by his fetish author, Jean Giono, describing his creation as an invitation to the "country behind the air."

Via press release