Fragrances inspired by Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
The two side by side
How it unfolds
Notes
- Santal 33
- Sandalwood
- in both
Tap a note to light it in both. A+B means both have it
Our verdict
Editor reviewedOur verdict
The key difference here is in performance and nuance: Santal 33 brings impressive longevity, pronounced sillage, and a creamy, complex sandalwood depth, while Aldi’s Lacura Sandalwood offers a...
What they share
Shares 8 of its 10 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Adds amber and oud, drops ambroxan
Choose Sandalwood when
You’re on a strict budget
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Our verdict
Santal 33 offers the original, iconic woody-leathery scent profile that prioritises creamy sandalwood and papyrus for a distinctive, recognisable aroma.
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Without musk
Choose 33 when
Choose 33 by Match Fragrances for a budget-friendly alternative.
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Without musk
What they share
Shares 8 of its 9 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Every one of its 9 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and musk
Our verdict
Santal 33 defines modern woody minimalism, presenting a creamy sandalwood and papyrus profile that feels refined and genderless.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and musk
Choose Saont III when
Choose Saont III for a budget-friendly alternative.
Our verdict
Santal 33 by Le Labo defines modern woody minimalism with its creamy sandalwood, papyrus, and a distinct smoky-leather nuance.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and musk
Choose 492 Santal 33 when
Choose 492 Santal 33 for a budget-friendly interpretation of the style.
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Ambroxan
The main difference
Without musk
What they share
Shares 8 of its 9 notes, including Papyrus, Ambroxan, Musk
The main difference
Adds virginia cedarwood, drops cedar
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Without ambroxan
Our verdict
Santal 33 offers a more complex and resinous woody-leather profile, driven by ambroxan that provides a smoky, slightly animalic depth which is central to its recognisable character.
What they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Papyrus, Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Without ambroxan
Choose Essence when
Choose Essence for a budget-friendly interpretation of the Santal 33 signature.
Our verdict
Santal 33 and Rich Santal share a similar DNA, but the key difference lies in the price and subtle nuances.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and musk
Choose Factory Edition: Rich Santal when
You want the Santal 33 profile on a budget.
What they share
Every one of its 6 notes is in the original, including Cedar, Cardamom, Sandalwood
The main difference
Without ambroxan and musk
What they share
Shares 5 of its 7 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Adds amber and floral notes, drops ambroxan and cardamom
Our verdict
Santal 33 by Le Labo defines modern woody minimalism with its creamy sandalwood and distinctive papyrus, offering a refined and instantly recognisable profile.
What they share
Shares 6 of its 8 notes, including Papyrus, Cedar, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber and oud, drops ambroxan and leather
Choose No.468 Santal 33 when
No.468 Santal 33 provides a budget-friendly alternative.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Cedar, Musk, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and papyrus
What they share
Shares 7 of its 8 notes, including Cedar, Musk, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds bergamot, drops ambroxan and papyrus
What they share
Shares 5 of its 6 notes, including Cardamom, Sandalwood, Leather
The main difference
Adds amber, drops ambroxan and cedar
What they share
Shares 6 of its 9 notes, including Cedar, Ambroxan, Musk
The main difference
Adds amber and cypriol oil or nagarmotha, drops leather and papyrus
Our verdict
Santal 33 and Santal Supreme both aim for a creamy sandalwood experience, but diverge in execution.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 5 notes, including Musk, Sandalwood, Violet
The main difference
Adds fig and vetiver, drops ambroxan and cardamom
Choose Santal Supreme when
You're on a tight budget.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 4 notes, including Sandalwood, Iris
The main difference
Adds amber and virginia cedarwood, drops ambroxan and cardamom
Our verdict
While both are woody sandalwood fragrances, Le Labo's Santal 33 has a creamier, more pronounced sandalwood focus that projects confidently.
What they share
Shares 6 of its 9 notes, including Cedar, Ambroxan, Musk
The main difference
Adds amber and cypriol oil or nagarmotha, drops leather and papyrus
Choose Woody Sandalwood when
You prefer a drier, more subtle sandalwood fragrance.
Our verdict
While both share a woody, powdery base, Santal 33 leans into creamy sandalwood, creating a refined, minimalist experience.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 7 notes, including Cedar, Musk, Sandalwood
The main difference
Adds carrot seeds and elemi, drops ambroxan and cardamom
Choose Amber Noir when
You seek a challenging, unique fragrance.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 6 notes, including Cardamom, Sandalwood, Leather
The main difference
Adds amber and vanilla, drops ambroxan and cedar
Our verdict
Warmth lands as a credible budget interpretation of Santal 33 for the first hour or two and then loses its grip - the consensus among wearers who own both is that it captures the silhouette without...
What they share
Shares 3 of its 4 notes, including Cedar, Cardamom, Sandalwood
The main difference
Adds cinnamon leaf, drops ambroxan and iris
Choose Warmth when
["You like the creamy-spicy sandalwood family and want the vibe at around £12 for 50 ml","You're fine reapplying after lunch - 3 to 4 hours on skin is enough for office and casual wear","You prefer skin-close intimacy over a room-filling trail","You want a unisex woody-spicy that won't draw attention or feel committed"]
Our verdict
Le Labo's Santal 33 and Tesco's Santal both explore woody sandalwood, but differ significantly in complexity and quality.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 5 notes, including Cedar, Cardamom, Sandalwood
The main difference
Adds patchouli and vanilla, drops ambroxan and iris
Choose Santal when
You're on a tight budget and want a sandalwood-esque scent.
What they share
Shares 4 of its 8 notes, including Cedar, Musk, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds amber and ginger, drops ambroxan and iris
What they share
Shares 3 of its 9 notes, including Cedar, Sandalwood, Iris
The main difference
Adds bergamot and clean musk, drops ambroxan and cardamom
Our verdict
Santal 33 by Le Labo and Energetically New York by Zara both channel woody, spicy minimalism, but Santal 33 stands out with superior depth, creamy sandalwood, and long-lasting presence thanks to its...
What they share
Shares 3 of its 4 notes, including Cedar, Cardamom, Sandalwood
The main difference
Adds jasmine, drops ambroxan and iris
Choose Energetically New York when
You want a lighter, more subtle scent.
Our verdict
Santal 33 and The King both feature warm spicy accords and share notes like musk and cardamom, but their overall profiles diverge significantly.
What they share
Shares 2 of its 11 notes, including Musk, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds aldehydes and ambergris, drops ambroxan and cedar
Choose The King when
You want a bold fragrance that commands attention.
What they share
Shares 3 of its 9 notes, including Cedar, Cardamom, Sandalwood
The main difference
Adds bergamot and ginger, drops ambroxan and iris
What they share
Shares 2 of its 9 notes, including Cedar, Musk
The main difference
Adds apple and bergamot, drops ambroxan and cardamom
What they share
Shares 2 of its 7 notes, including Musk, Cardamom
The main difference
Adds bergamot and dreamwood, drops ambroxan and cedar
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices come from shops that deliver to you and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Le Labo. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.