LIVING LIBATIONS - Sandalwood Absolute

Living Libations Sandalwood Absolute is a richly aromatic extract that captures the deep, resinous character of long-aged sandalwood heartwood. Warm, smooth, and complex, it evokes the timeless elegance of polished wood, vintage fragrances, and softly aged interiors.

Unlike steam-distilled sandalwood essential oil, which highlights the lighter aromatic facets of the wood, Sandalwood Absolute offers a deeper scent profile with notes of warm woods, subtle sweetness, maple, cocoa, and caramel. As it develops, it reveals a refined, powdery-woody character with a rich, lingering aroma.

Produced through solvent extraction of sandalwood heartwood, this absolute preserves a broader range of naturally occurring aromatic constituents than steam distillation alone. The result is a beautifully layered ingredient valued by perfumers for the depth, warmth, and richness it brings to fragrance compositions.

Sandalwood Absolute blends harmoniously with florals, woods, amber accords, spices, and resins, adding depth and character to both botanical and fine fragrance creations. It may also be enjoyed on its own by applying a small amount to pulse points or hair for a warm, elegant scent.

The naturally rich aroma of this carefully matured sandalwood creates a sophisticated fragrance experience that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Botanical Name: Santalum austrocaledonicum

Botanical Family: Santalaceae

Extraction Method: Absolute (Solvent Extraction)

Part of Plant Extracted: Heartwood

Country of Origin: New Caledonia

Cultivation Method: Organic. Sourced from trees aged 30-50+ years, where selected heartwood cures for another 2 to 10 years post-harvest, naturally concentrating the dense santalols and heavy-molecular weight resins.

Consistency: Thick Viscosity

Scent Description: A rich, roasted woody profile with ambery hints of brandied maple syrup and a lovely, lingering powdery-balsamic drydown.

Key Constituents: a-Santalol (40%), b-Santalol (20%), Lanceol (6%)

Aromatic Affinities: Sandalwood, Jasmines, Roses, Cardamom, Cedar, Frankincense, Orris, Vanilla, Myrrh, Spikenard, Citruses, and Patchouli.

Anointing and Blending: Vintage Sandalwood Absolute is an exquisite fixative for complex compositions, especially when enhancing colognes, perfumes, or balsamic, amber, and musk accords. For use as a fixative, add it drop-by-drop to floral or citrus blends to anchor the scent and prevent the lighter notes from disappearing too quickly. Beyond perfumery, a single drop can be smoothed through the ends of the hair for a scent that unfolds with the warmth of the body throughout the day.