Question:
I smelled a paper strif of it about a year ago, but did not pay the proper attention. So, I have to admit I really don't know what's about Santos.
So, is the reformulation still worth? Or should I try something closer to the older version? If so, what do you suggest?

Answer:
Having never tried the old version (and probably never will), I recommend the new one by default. It smells a bit like M7 with the heft of Z-14. It's A-OK by me.

Answer:
Smeller: My humble opinion of the Old Santos is that while it does not open up as upbeat and loud as the reformulated new, it is far more interesting, complex and has very good longevity.
The new isn't bad, though, and there's also a 'new concentree'--which I'd rank in smell at the bottom of all three, but I understand why they made it, as the new is very short-lived.
Frankly, I'd pass on both of the 'newbies'. They did not improve the formula, they skimped on quality.
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The old reminds me a little bit of Yatagan, but a smoother and more elegant version. A power scent if there ever was one.
Buy it if you can find it.
Cheers,
Mario

Answer:
My dim memory of the older one is that it had more punch to it.
The new one is respectable, but not as interesting.

Answer:
I just wore Santos for the first time as my SOTD yesterday. I liked it a lot. It's kind of herbal and green at first but turns kind of sweet once it dries down, but retains an herbal element. Sort of like a cross between Yatagan a sweeter, woodier fragrance.
I'm not sure if I have the old one or the new one. Can you tell by the bottle?
noggs

Answer:
My concern abour this one is that no one seems to refer to the reformulated version as a masterpiece, in the same way as it happens with Van Cleef & Arpels, Antaeus, Yatagan, and othes "bold" scents.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Antaeus, Gentleman and others were reformulated also, but I'm pretty sure they keep most of its old characters. Based on what I read here, it sounds like Santos is just one of the worst reformulations around. Is that true?
I just don't want to spend my money on it if it's not of the same height of those others mentioned...

Answer:
The original Santos Concentree was one of my first frags and one of the ones I emptied the 100mL bottle (okay, there's a tiny bit left, but only because I've been hoarding it).
In both the old and new I prefer the concentree to the regular version. The newer version is not as rich as the original but it still has the oomph (bold, masculine) like the original.
I think I found my deal on bigdiscount.
wrt what the bottles look like:
/showt...ghlight=santos

Answer:
Originally Posted by smeller Based on what I read here, it sounds like Santos is just one of the worst reformulations around. Is that true? Santos de Cartier new version is very much the same as the old other than the drydown isn't as complex as the original. It seems as if there is somethings missing from the deepest notes and this is what effects it's longevity. However, the top and middle note's performance are very much in tune with the original.

The reformulation is probably the least noticable of any reformulation that I've compared. The new Santos is not light years apart from the original like Obsession is.

Answer:
I just managed to pick a small bottle of the original and it smells great. Compared to the reformulated version, it is similar but the drydown is a lot more exotic.
Regards

Answer:
Seen the old version today at TK Maxx, hesitated but didn't buy it, it was only £24.99....maybe I should go back!!