The Best Woody Fragrances by Ex Nihilo: Peppery, Creamy, Fast

Not all wood is the same. Some woods crackle like an open fire, others smell like freshly planed cedar boards, others still melt on the skin like warm milk. Ex Nihilo, the Paris house with a penchant for clarity and radiance, masters several of these wood dialects. We looked at the best-selling woody Ex Nihilo fragrances in our shop and picked three that could hardly be more different: peppery, creamy and fast. Which one suits you, now that the days are getting shorter?

Why does Ex Nihilo so often smell of wood?

Ex Nihilo relies on modern wood building blocks that did not even exist twenty years ago. First and foremost Akigalawood, a peppery wood that Givaudan obtains from patchouli oil through biotechnology. Add to that ambery woods, vetiver, cedar and classic sandalwood. The house's art: making wood not heavy and dark, but bright and wearable. How that works is explained in our fragrance glossary entry on Akigalawood, and the story of the house in our portrait of Ex Nihilo.

The Hedonist Extrait: what does the peppery wood smell like?

The name promises pleasure, and pleasure is what you get, just not as you might expect. No vanilla caramel, but pure nature: Ex Nihilo sends the original Hedonist on a "journey into the unknown", among black stones and extreme temperatures. The 2024 Extrait from the Collection Quintessence is, according to the brand, the ultimate version of it.

The opening is a citrus flash of grapefruit and bergamot, with ginger adding bite. Then the heart of cedarwood and Akigalawood takes over, and this is where the magic happens: it smells of freshly split wood with pepper ground over it. A hint of lychee makes it all juicy without turning sweet. In the base, ambery woods, vetiver, tonka bean and patchouli settle over it like a leather glove.

Compared with the Eau de Parfum, the official note list adds grapefruit, lychee, ambery woods and patchouli, while the musk disappears. Fragrantica reviewer Igor Masyukov describes the Extrait as deeper and more of an evening scent, with cedar in the lead role and a softer Akigalawood. The community praises its depth and longevity, with many reporting eight hours and more. Criticism focuses mainly on the price, and some find the lychee too sweet.

Santal Calling: what does creamy sandalwood smell like?

If The Hedonist is a walk through the forest, Santal Calling is the armchair by the fire afterwards. In 2022 perfumer Antoine Maisondieu built a fragrance that Ex Nihilo describes as an "unstoppable spell". At its core is sandalwood of the species Santalum album, grown in Australia, wrapped in a milky accord.

The start is surprising: nutmeg and milk, a little like hot spiced milk on a November evening. In the heart, according to the brand, iris, rose and Cashmeran join in, making the fragrance powdery and velvety. The base of sandalwood, vanilla and musk stays calm and close to the skin. On Fragrantica the "powdery" and "woody" accords are almost neck and neck, followed by musk, iris and a milky, lactonic note.

Fans call it creamy and elegant, softer than many other sandalwood fragrances. To be honest: on some wearers the milky note turns sour on the skin, and some find it too powdery. So here more than anywhere: be sure to test it on your own skin.

Speed Legends: wood with petrol in its veins?

Don't worry, Speed Legends does not smell of petrol. The inspiration is motorised all the same: Ex Nihilo dedicates the fragrance to the Le Mans Classic, the vintage car race on the legendary circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and calls it "Living on the edge". It was created by Jordi Fernández.

Bergamot, mandarin and pink pepper open like winding down the window at the first bend. In the heart, clary sage and blackcurrant provide an aromatic, fruity intermediate sprint before vetiver, tonka bean and amberwood cross the finish line. Honestly, Speed Legends is the least woody of our three: on Fragrantica the "aromatic" accord leads, with wood only in fifth place. That is exactly what makes it so versatile.

The community finds it clean, polished and office-friendly, with comparisons to elegant classics of men's perfumery. Criticism: some find it too simple, and reports on longevity range from short to very long.

Which woody Ex Nihilo fragrance suits me?

The three compared: notes, ratings, prices

Prices according to the 4D OUTFITTERS webshop, as of 18 October 2026. The prices shown are updated automatically from the shop. Notes according to Ex Nihilo.

Ratings and strongest accords (relative) according to Fragrantica, as of 18 October 2026.

And The Hedonist as an Eau de Parfum?

The 2021 original is the airier sibling of the Extrait: bergamot and ginger, cedar and Akigalawood in the heart, vetiver, musk and tonka bean underneath. Fragrantica users give it 4.09 out of 5 from over 1,800 votes and value it especially for the office and warmer days. If you find the Extrait too dense, you will often be happier with the Eau de Parfum (50 ml: € 195).

And the newcomer? Demon Dancer (2026), inspired by contemporary dance, combines rhubarb, mint and blood orange with a base of Georgywood, Akigalawood and Ambrofix. Fragrantica classifies it as a woody floral musk. At 4D it is currently available as a 7 ml travel size (€ 45), perfect for getting acquainted.

Smell first, then fall in love

Wood is a very personal matter: what excites on a blotter can sound completely different on the skin. That is why we include a sample of exactly the fragrance you ordered with every fragrance order, and via the order note in the cart you can request up to four more free samples. Order The Hedonist Extrait, for example, and try Santal Calling, Speed Legends and The Hedonist alongside it. We ship free of charge from € 200.

Or come to our boutique in Bregenz and do the wood test right on your wrist. You will find the entire Ex Nihilo collection online, and if you prefer fresh and fruity, read our comparison Blue Talisman or Extrait?. For the advanced: our 20 tips on perfume layering reveal how to combine woody fragrances.

Your team at 4D OUTFITTERS, Bregenz

Sources: Ex Nihilo – The Hedonist Extrait · Ex Nihilo – Santal Calling · Ex Nihilo – Speed Legends · Fragrantica The Hedonist Extrait · Fragrantica Santal Calling · Fragrantica Speed Legends · Fragrantica The Hedonist · Fragrantica: The Hedonist Extrait · Peter Auto