The Pacific Islands are untouched paradises and largely uninhabited. Nature is vibrant and wild there. Millions of different species of flora and fauna are native to the region, including several species unique to the area, such as the sandalwood tree. This part of the world, between Asia and Oceania, is where the sandalwood tree originated. From here, it was exported to China and South America, where it was cultivated; it still grows wild in the equatorial forests with their permanently warm and humid climate.
The sandalwood tree is evergreen and grows up to ten metres (33 feet) high. The wood is light yellow in colour and has a characteristic musky scent. The precious and aromatic sandalwood oil is obtained by distilling the central part of the trunk and the roots. The use of sandalwood originated in India, where the trees arrived long ago and now grow wild. The success of sandalwood is based on the belief that it can calm the rational part of the mind, allowing it to connect with the deepest levels of the spirit. Incense made from sandalwood is therefore used as an aid to meditation. These mystical properties of sandalwood have also led to its use since ancient times in the manufacture of musical instruments and fragrant sacred and secular objects.
It is used in religious rites, burned as incense in Buddhism and Hinduism, and soon became a valuable raw material for perfumery. Its great success soon proved to be the downfall of the sandalwood tree. Today, it is considered an endangered species and is protected in India. Its best natural quality is practically impossible to find for perfumery. The tree needs 20 to 30 years of growth to fully mature and become rich in precious oil. To develop the best quality, the sandalwood tree must mature for several years after felling.
The Santal du Pacifique fragrance
Santal du Pacifique is a hypnotic and mysterious fragrance in which warm, creamy and velvety wood notes develop an enveloping warmth. Floral notes emphasise the mysterious, intoxicating and gentle sides of the fragrance. The Santal du Pacifique extract also contains precious iron, a molecule extracted from extremely valuable iris butter. This combination makes the sandalwood aroma even warmer and more full-bodied.
