Description and usage notes:
This is has more powerful and diffusive odour than natural Sandalwood but is closer to the natural than the related Santaliff.
Sharing a CAS number and basic molecular formula with Santaliff it is superficially the same thing and they are listed by some as synonyms, however Hindinol is the laevo form, while most others on the market are racemic.
Excellent to support the natural or as part of a sandalwood accord, though I don’t recommend using it alone. Like Santaliff this material is an effective fixative – 0.5-5% of the concentrate will give effective fixation to most blends – however unlike the related material it also contributes a fresh, natural top-note to sandalwood blends.
Manufactured by Takasago, who specialise in chiral aroma chemicals, and say this of their product: “Widely used in all product types. Gives a more natural and fresh character.” (see also the documents section below for more details provided by Takasago)
Arcadi Boix Camps is enthusiastic about it: writing in 2009 he dedicated two full pages to this material, describing it as “revolutionary“. This is how he introduced the topic: “This is again, and I am not exaggerating, is one of the best sandalwood chemicals, as captivating as it is extraordinary and extremely new. Most sandalwood chemicals lack a natural top note and we perfumers need to create it; however when using Hindinol, the natural top note appears and this top note is a dream come true.”
Peter (verified owner) –
This is the best smelling Sandalwood note I’ve found, I like this more than Ebanol and Sandalmore, as a stand alone.. but I usually blend all 3 in a mix.