Vintage 84

Mysore Sandalwood is rare and a constant quest. To put it in perspective, not all ‘Santalum Album’ from India is Mysore Sandalwood. The harvest and distillation has to be from the Mysore region for it to be labelled as Mysore Sandalwood which means less harvest and more demand. Furthermore, The Mysore is GI tagged to protect its reputation and origin. Only the Government of Mysore has a permit to distill Mysore Sandalwood. Thus the scarcity of this precious material. 'Vintage 84' is nothing but Mysore Sandalwood, year 1984 from Government of Mysore.

If asked to choose between Mysore Sandalwood and Oud, the obvious choice would be Mysore Sandalwood. Simple reason being, It is just difficult to come by. What was saved as a hobby is a rare collectable today - the oil, log, sinking grade beads & carved handicrafts. Mysore sandalwood is rare and the art is dying. Less awareness among villagers, the prohibition of private Mysore distillation, poor harvest, poaching and young generation migrating to the city. Till the '80s, trees aged over 60 years were harvested. Traditionally, only heartwood was distilled. Our reason to showcase Mysore is to create more awareness, mark the significance of the material and extend the experience. We were contemplating on its composition since 2020. A tightrope to walk, one wrong measure would destroy the material.

'Vintage 84' is all about the Mysore experience, a beautiful journey where other elements contribute to the melody. The opening is a citrus bitter-sweet combination of bergamot and pink grapefruit. As we wrap our head around a pristine and sparkling note of orange flower embraces your senses. Zesty, sweet, rounded and identical to jasmine. Many would confuse it with neroli though neroli is more green and little sharp. Tuberose uplifts the orange flower aspect with shades of honey and white florals.

A beautiful Sherbet rose facet with a soft mesmerising ginger whiff is like a poem. As the rose fades away sandalwood follows like a sunrise on the horizon with its full glory. The spice from sandalwood is like a mix of fennel seeds, cumin, tiniest hint of star anise and pinch of green cardamom. The calming aroma of earthy dry woodiness is like a walk through the carved santal pillars in a monastery. Creamy, buttery milky accent extends closer to skin with sweet woodiness. Vintage 84 is peerless & a transcendent experience!