When it comes to woody fragrances, few are as rich and captivating as sandalwood. With its deep connection to ancient forests and sacred traditions, this timeless scent brings a sense of calm sophistication and inviting warmth. At Air Aroma, sandalwood takes centre stage in our best-selling Sandalwood Gold, as well as in premium scents like Moonshot and Pomelo Pulp. It’s also a key note in signature fragrances we’ve created for Canada Goose and Jaguar Land Rover.
There’s something undeniably luxurious about sandalwood’s warm, earthy aroma—it adds a sense of refinement and depth to any fragrance blend. With its delicate floral woodiness, it’s an incredibly versatile and alluring base note, making it a favourite across a wide range of scent profiles.
The Sandalwood Tree
Sandalwood refers to several species of trees within the Santalum genus, all known for their dense, fine-grained wood and rich, aromatic scent. When people talk about sandalwood, they’re usually referring to true sandalwood, or white sandalwood (Santalum album)—a variety native to India, but also found across Southeast Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific. Uniquely semi-parasitic, the sandalwood tree grows by drawing water and nutrients from the roots of neighbouring trees. Its prized heartwood contains alpha-santalol and beta-santalol—the key compounds responsible for its distinctive fragrance and therapeutic properties.
Due to slow growth rates—taking around 30 years to reach a commercially viable size—sandalwood is often harvested faster than it can be replenished. As a result, pure sandalwood is one of the most expensive woods in the world, with demand frequently outstripping supply. Both the wood and roots contain a golden-hued oil that’s extracted through steam distillation. The heartwood is ground into powder, placed in distillation stills, and exposed to steam. As the mixture condenses, the precious sandalwood oilseparates from the water, ready to be refined and used in fragrance.
Sandalwood Through the Ages
For thousands of years, sandalwood has been revered for its fragrance and therapeutic benefits. Across cultures and continents, it has played a central role in religious, medicinal, and everyday life. In Buddhism, sandalwood incense is burned during prayer and meditation for its calming effects. The Ancient Egyptians imported sandalwood for embalming and as an offering to the gods. In Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, sandalwood has been used for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties, assisting with wound healing, digestion, and skin conditions. Known to lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, sandalwood is widely used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, ease anxiety, and improve sleep.
Sandalwood has been a cornerstone of fragrance creation since the early days of Arabic and Indian perfumery. Loved for its warm, woody, and balsamic aroma, it exudes an unmistakable sense of exotic luxury. Beyond its timeless scent, sandalwood oil acts as a fixative in perfumes—helping to stabilise blends and enhance longevity by anchoring more delicate notes that might otherwise fade too quickly. While the raw wood has historically been used to craft ornate carvings, furniture, and decorative fans, today, sandalwood’s most cherished form remains its rich, lingering fragrance—a scent that continues to captivate and inspire.
Air Aroma’s Sandalwood Gold Fragrance
Fresh, Green, Woody
Australian Sandalwood, Leather, Fennel, Cardamom, Violet, Cedar
Golden hues meander through a deep cavern. Heat of charred ash casts a warm glow on a vast wall of intricate formations. Innate wisdoms reverberate like a smoky silage of woods and spices. Gentle and warm but dark and sultry.
With its warm, rich allure, Sandalwood Gold is a truly luxurious aroma oil, favoured by hospitality, retail, and high-end clients worldwide. Its deep, woody fragrance makes it a popular choice for seasonal scenting, particularly in autumn and winter. Sandalwood Gold is diffused in some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and entertainment destinations including Mondrian Park Avenue and Resorts World Las Vegas. Wherever it’s featured, this fragrance brings an unmistakable sense of elegance and warmth.
A timeless and captivating choice, sandalwood is perfect for those who appreciate its natural depth, soft spiciness, and enduring charm. Experience its beauty in Air Aroma’s Sandalwood Gold, Moonshot, and Pomelo Pulp fragrances, or create a custom signature scent inspired by sandalwood’s many facets.