The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Elysian Santal II is Hunayn's second study of rose and sandalwood, building on the framework of the original Elysian Santal with a focus on greener, more herbaceous florals. Perfumer Adill Ali composed it as a counterpoint to the first release, layering Turkish rose and Taif rose with narcissus while keeping Mysore sandalwood as the structural anchor. Launched in 2025, the composition incorporates hiba wood alongside the rose and sandalwood architecture, adding a subtle woody register that deepens the overall drydown. The use of Taif rose and Turkish rose gives the composition a floral range that shifts between honeyed, almost confectionary warmth and the greener, more austere facets that Taif material can show when harvested and distilled with care.
What gives Elysian Santal II its particular density is the layering of multiple rose types and floral materials rather than relying on a single bloom. Taif rose and Turkish rose are joined by narcissus and green tulip, creating a multifloral heart that reads at different angles depending on how the fragrance catches the air. Omani red frankincense and standard frankincense both appear in the composition, contributing distinct resinous profiles that interact with the roses throughout the wear.
The evolution
The opening phase belongs to pomelo, a cold, bright citrus that cuts through almost aggressively before the florals have time to register. The effect is crisp, almost austere, the kind of citrus brightness that feels engineered rather than incidental. Once the pomelo recedes, green rose emerges alongside narcissus and santolina, the herbs pulling the sweetness of the rose sideways into something sharper and more herbal. Turkish rose builds slowly in the background, and frankincense begins to rise as a cool, resinous veil that softens the edges of the sharper green notes without ever smoothing them away. As the heart phase deepens, tobacco and civet enter quietly, adding a leathery, slightly animal warmth that gradually shifts the composition away from a purely floral register.
Cultural impact
Within a year of its 2025 launch, Elysian Santal II has drawn attention for its use of flowers such as santolina, green tulip, and lilium parryi, materials that introduce uncommon dimensions to a rose composition. The inclusion of civet and tobacco alongside the rose and sandalwood architecture moves the fragrance away from the more conventional rose territory, giving it a botanical complexity that requires attention to fully appreciate. The two distinct rose types, Taif and Turkish, combined with the lesser-known florals, produce a layered effect that unfolds slowly, rewarding repeated wear with new facets appearing at each stage.
