Le Labo · 2011 · Frank Voelkl
Santal 33
Luxury$$$$, 4 of 5
| 50 ml | $250 |
| 100 ml | $348 |
Wearers sayUnisex
VersionEau de Parfum
Dry sandalwood and pencil-shaving cedar with cardamom, violet and powdery iris, over a suede-soft leather and musk.
Le Labo says
You’ll smell cardamom, iris, violet, Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, spicy notes, leathery notes and musky notes.
Press one to add its card to your shelf.
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Wearers say
From 7 Reddit threads · Read what they say
How far it carries
Across a room
How long it lasts
6 to 9 hours
When to wear it
All year
Where to wear it
Every day, office
Who it suits
Unisex · Any age
Mass appeal
Divisive
Compliments
Sometimes
What’s inside it
What the label names
16 scent ingredients on the label, familiar names first.
A label must name certain ingredients, most of them ones that can cause allergies; some houses print more. It is never the whole recipe.
3 citrus4 herbs & lavender3 florals3 woods1 sweet1 spices1 musks
Herbs & lavender4
Sweet1
Spices1
Musks1
Top notes7
when you spray it
Heart3
as it settles
4 more lines on the label, not there for the smell
Wearers say
Wearing it
Santal 33 is an enduring woody powerhouse that easily lasts through an entire workday. However, its notorious dill pickle facet makes testing essential before buying a bottle.
How far it carriesNoticed across a room
Perfumers call it sillage.
Santal 33 projects strongly off skin and radiates easily into the surrounding air.
“Projection is loud and sillage is all damn day. You’d better hope you like it because it’s STRONG!”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2026 · 6 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers advise applying lightly to keep it from becoming too overpowering.
“2 sprays in the air will definitely not be too much- don’t worry 😊”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2026 · 18 votes
How long it lasts8–10 hours on skin
Most wearers get full workday performance on skin, remaining noticeable for eight to ten hours.
“Couldn't even get it off my skin with alcohol wipes.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2026 · 7 votes
More from wearers · 2 themes, 2 quotes
Most say
Most wearers report that the fragrance lasts all day and clings tenaciously to skin.
“Santal 33 and Another 13 last forever”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2026 · 3 votes
Some say
Some wearers find it softens after six hours or causes temporary olfactory fatigue.
“Becomes a skin scent around 5/6 hours and is gone (or I’m nose blind) around hour 7.”
Reddit post, r/fragranceclones, 2025
When and where to wear itYear-round everyday and office wear
Wearers reach for Santal 33 throughout the year as an everyday signature scent suitable for work.
“It’s my everyday forever love and I don’t care if anyone hates it.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2025 · 12 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Many say
Many wearers treat it as a dependable daily signature scent across all seasons.
“It’s for sure going to be in my heavy rotation too! Absolutely gorgeous!”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2025
Who it suitsTruly unisex for all ages
The scent profile is described almost universally as completely genderless and appropriate for wearers of any age.
“Definitely a true unisex. Kinda smells like an antique store or an old book but I love it.”
Reddit post, r/fragranceclones, 2025
Appeal and attractionDivisive pickle note versus love
While many love its chic sandalwood sillage, a vocal contingent only detects sour dill pickle brine.
“I love Le Labo so much, I wish I got anything more than dill pickles from Santal 33”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2025 · 58 votes
As a blind buyHigh risk from pickle aroma
Blind buying carries severe risk because newcomers frequently dislike the unexpected culinary pickle impression.
“I would not recommend the blind buy, especially with le labo picklejuice.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2022 · 7 votes
LayeringBest alone or with citrus
Many wearers prefer wearing its bold profile solo, though some enjoy brightening the woods with light citrus.
“Santal 33 is a big scent. I don't think it benefits to add it.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2022 · 6 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers enjoy blending its dense woodiness with crisp, refreshing citrus fragrances.
“I like pairing its intense woodiness with very light citrus-top perfumes.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2022 · 2 votes
From 7 Reddit threads.
Wearers say
Smells like it
For less
Palo SantoOn your shelfCremo · Many wearers call it a cheaper copy
No.04 Bois de BalincourtOn your shelfMaison Louis Marie · Many wearers call it a cheaper copy“You should try No.04 Bois De Balincourt by Maison Louis. It’s pretty much Santal 33 to me sans the pickles.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021 · 8 votes
Game of Spades BidOn your shelfJo Milano Paris · Many wearers call it a cheaper copyShoppers call a cheaper stand-in a dupe.
What wearers say, set beside the price each house asks. Noses differ.
Our match of the notes
Shares its notes
Game of Spades BidJo Milano Paris · shares cardamom, orris, violet (sweet violet), sandalwood and 2 more
Beloved WomanAmouage · shares cardamom, violet (sweet violet), sandalwood, cedar (Atlas cedar) and 2 more
Stallion 53Emper · shares cardamom, orris, violet (sweet violet), sandalwood and 1 moreMatched by the notes each house names. A shared note is not a promise they smell alike.