Tam Dao Eau de Toilette by Diptyque

I don’t seek forgiveness, but before judging, walk a mile in my shoes. I stumbled upon this sandalwood by accident, tired of smelling like everyone else. It’s introspective, modern, and timeless, like Depeche Mode. If you love woods, you’ll fall in love. Upon application, it smells of earth and grass, with an animalic touch reminiscent of elephants carrying logs through a forest. The musk and amber give it a strong, masculine vibe, like holding soil in your hands. Then, it releases a feminine and sensual character thanks to the florals and rosewood, mysterious and rich. The woods persist at the end, though the earthy sensation fades a bit. It doesn’t have a massive sillage; it’s for you and those close to you, not to turn heads. It’s a dirty sandalwood that doesn’t shout but has its own identity.

There are perfumes you love at first sniff and buy, only to find them overwhelming at home. Others seem underwhelming, yet you finish the whole bottle. Tam Dao is the latter. I tested a sample and thought, ‘meh, not that great.’ It smells like a Swedish psychologist in a Bergman film: stately, not sexy, not Mediterranean. Exquisite but intellectual. A few days later, desperately searching for the sample among my 20 perfumes, I discovered it calms me down to sleep. It’s perfect for connecting with yourself, almost spiritual. Would I buy it? Absolutely. It works well for weddings or interviews, but it’s a must-have for wearing alone.

It smells rich, like a freshly sharpened pencil, but the longevity is moderate, about 4 hours.

Borrowed a decant of Tam Dao from my grandma, and what karma: my partner stole it for himself, claiming it smells like his grandfather. I went crazy for those green wood notes in the EdT: it starts with spiced cedar and cypress that smells like a lumberjack, then settles into a wet, creamy sandalwood. Lasted easily 12 hours with strong projection for the first three hours before settling close to the skin. It’s unisex, uncomplicated, and perfect for casual or semi-formal days. For me, a wood lover, the only flaw is that it smells way better on my partner than on me. Pleasant: 10/10 Interesting: 5/10 Versatile: 9/10 Original: 6/10

Reminds me a lot of Fields At Nightfall by Zara, probably due to the sandalwood. I see it as elegant, good taste, unadorned, and sober. I agree it’s ‘warm’, a word that perfectly captures the feeling of this wood accord. Always a Diptyque fan.

Briefly, after reading the reviews… it doesn’t seem nostalgic to me. It’s a modern woody oriental. A fantastic cedar combined with rosewood and sandalwood that gives it a dry, slightly sharp nuance. It’s completely unisex for those who like woody orientals; it’s not warm, it’s striking and for personal enjoyment. No negative points. Good longevity and moderate sillage (it’s an EDT). It looks great as a signature scent for people of all ages who like different and exotic perfumes. A complex, woody fragrance with a bohemian cut. I liked it.

I envy the people whose perfume lasts this long…

I tried a sample of Diptyque, and as always with them, you have to wait for the scent to evolve before judging. Don’t judge it instantly; let it sit for a few minutes and it will tell you where it’s going. I’m a huge fan of the brand and own several in my collection, but this Tam Dao gets more intense after 10 minutes, fresher at the opening. Then it picks up that resinous, musky vibe; I don’t get the floral side, but I still like it. Longevity 8-9, sillage 8, ideal for those seeking non-intense scents, though this one definitely is. Overall rating: 9/10.

Very oriental therapeutic aroma, a bit antisocial for being alone and relaxing, or with a trusted person in a meditative, transcendent situation. I definitely have the EDP; it seems extraordinary and necessary in my collection.

Creamy sandalwood with a slight spicy touch. Very soft and not impactful at all.

Can anyone imagine a floral, woody musk unisex scent? Well, yes, and it’s this one. At first, you get rose, myrtle, and Italian cypress, something uncommon in fragrances, not something you smell every day. The dry and heart notes are usual base notes, but here the fragrance turns everything upside down. A totally nostalgic aroma. I love this fragrance as much as I love Jelena Jensen’s hips.