The Olfactory Library

Welcome to the building blocks of the invisible art. If a perfume is a symphony, then these are the individual notes on the sheet music—the singular elements that the perfumer arranges to create a melody that lingers on your skin.


Whether you are here to understand why you adore Vetiver but detest Patchouli, or simply to find out what "Iso E Super" actually is, this library is your guide.

Florals

The undisputed heart of perfumery, ranging from the innocent whisper of a spring muguet to the narcotic, carnal shout of a tuberose. These notes provide the romance and the texture, proving that flowers are far too complex to be considered merely 'pretty'.

Hazel Blossom note image

Hazel Blossom

The catkins of the hazel tree. Mild, dusty, and pollen-heavy.

Snow Lotus note image

Snow Lotus

Saussurea. Herbal and medicinal.

Goldenrod note image

Goldenrod

Herbal, anise-like, and yellow. It smells like late summer fields.

Green Tea Flower note image

Green Tea Flower

The blossom of the tea bush. Delicate and slightly tannic.

Alba Rose note image

Alba Rose

A classic white rose scent that is fresher and more citrusy than its red cousins. It smells clean, romantic, and historically elegant.

Daisy note image

Daisy

Green, herbaceous, and mild. It doesn't smell 'floral' in the traditional sense, but rather like a wild, grassy meadow.

Eustoma | Lisianthus note image

Eustoma | Lisianthus

A gentle, slightly peppery floral scent.

French Marigold note image

French Marigold

Pungent and herbal. It smells stronger and earthier than other marigolds.

Buttercup note image

Buttercup

A mild meadow flower that smells fresh and slightly green. It doesn't actually smell like butter.

Jasmine Orchid note image

Jasmine Orchid

A specific orchid species that mimics the scent of jasmine but with a waxy, vanilla undertone.

Jacaranda note image

Jacaranda

A tree with purple blooms smelling honeyed and green. It feels breezy and exotic.

Cornflower Sultan Seeds note image

Cornflower Sultan Seeds

A mild floral scent with a powdery muskiness.

Lamduan Flower note image

Lamduan Flower

White Cheesewood. The flower smells uniquely of baked bread and coconut milk.

Blue Poppy note image

Blue Poppy

A Himalayan flower with a cool, earthy floral scent. It feels rare and mountainous.

Kudzu note image

Kudzu

The vine that ate the South. The flowers smell remarkably like grape soda.

Ashoka Flower note image

Ashoka Flower

A sacred Indian flower with a soft, orange-like floral scent. It is culturally significant and smells gently exotic.

Almond Blossom note image

Almond Blossom

Lighter and more floral than the nut itself, with a delicate powdery quality. It smells like spring air in an orchard.

Laurel Blossom note image

Laurel Blossom

The flower of the bay tree. It smells floral with a spicy herbal edge.

Bottlebrush note image

Bottlebrush

An Australian native with a woody, honeyed floral scent. It evokes the dry heat of the bush.

Cucumber Flower note image

Cucumber Flower

A lighter, more floral version of the vegetable.

View All Florals Notes

Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes

This is the scent of the orchard and the vegetable patch rather than the patisserie, capturing the crisp snap of an apple or the earthy grit of a carrot. These notes add a mouth-watering texture and vitality, bringing a sense of abundance and natural realism that prevents a fragrance from feeling too abstract.

Black Walnut note image

Black Walnut

Distinctive, earthy, and oily nut scent. It smells darker and more tannic than regular walnuts.

Litchi note image

Litchi

Lychee. Smells remarkably rose-like, aquatic, and sweet.

Ashberry note image

Ashberry

The fruit of the Rowan tree, smelling tart, bitter, and wild. It adds a sharp, foraging vibe to fruity notes.

Fig Leaf note image

Fig Leaf

Bitter, green, and coconutty. It brings a sharp, realistic snap of greenery.

Hazelnut note image

Hazelnut

Woody, milky, and rich. Roasted, it becomes a gourmand praline note.

Macadamia note image

Macadamia

Buttery, fatty nut scent. Very rich.

Barberry note image

Barberry

A tart red berry that is acidic and sharp. It cuts through sweetness like a little red knife.

Silverberry note image

Silverberry

Elaeagnus. Tart fruit.

Fig note image

Fig

Milky, green, and sweet. It evokes the shade of a tree in the Mediterranean sun.

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

Deeply earthy, sweet, and dirt-like. It smells exactly like damp soil and adds a grounding, rooty quality.

Pomegranate note image

Pomegranate

Tart, red, and tannic. It smells dry and astringent rather than overly sweet.

Isabella Grape note image

Isabella Grape

A dark-skinned grape with a 'foxy,' musky sweetness. It smells intense and wine-like.

Acorn note image

Acorn

A dry, nutty, and woody scent that evokes autumn walks in the forest. It has a subtle earthiness that feels very grounded and natural.

Plum note image

Plum

Dark, juicy, and sensual. It adds a velvet texture to chypres and orientals.

Red Apple note image

Red Apple

Sweet, crisp fruit. Less tart than green apple.

Grapes note image

Grapes

Sweet and juicy. Can smell like artificial purple candy or realistic fruit.

Dried Fruits note image

Dried Fruits

A sticky mix of raisins, dates, and figs. It adds a rich, boozy sweetness to oriental perfumes.

Malt note image

Malt

Roasted barley. Smells like beer, whiskey, or ovaltine. Toasty and sweet.

Raspberry note image

Raspberry

Sweet, tart, and seedy. It pairs beautifully with leather and oud for a modern edge.

Kumbaru note image

Kumbaru

Tonka bean relative. It smells nutty and vanilla-like.

View All Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes Notes

Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells

These are the sensual heavyweights that linger on the skin long after the citrus has fled, providing warmth, depth, and a certain human intimacy. From the cozy, golden glow of amber to the primitive, purring growl of civet, these notes transform a simple scent into a living, breathing entity.

Ambertonic™ (IFF) note image

Ambertonic™ (IFF)

A modern molecule that is deep, musky, and woody with a dry heat. It gives a fragrance a contemporary, vibrating trail.

Genet note image

Genet

Broom flower. It smells honeyed, hay-like, and slightly tobacco-ish.

Ambrette (Musk Mallow) note image

Ambrette (Musk Mallow)

A vegetal musk derived from seeds, smelling of pear brandy and clean skin. It is one of the few natural musks and feels incredibly sophisticated.

Skatole note image

Skatole

Fecal in high concentration, floral (white flower) in low. Essential for realistic jasmine.

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

A sweet, musky amber note that is very diffusive. It creates a soft, radiant aura around the wearer.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

A vegan musk molecule with fruity, floral undertones. It brings a soft, soapy cleanliness and exceptional longevity.

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

Ambrarome note image

Ambrarome

An absolute that smells leathery, tar-like, and animalic with amber undertones. It adds a vintage, masculine grit to the base.

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

Fossilized Hyrax droppings. Sounds dreadful, smells amazing: leathery, musky, and earthy (and cruelty-free).

Amber Xtreme note image

Amber Xtreme

An incredibly powerful woody-amber note that projects for miles. It can be sharp and dry, cutting through even the heaviest compositions.

Fur note image

Fur

Warm, oily, and animalic. It smells like a sleeping cat or a vintage coat.

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Bacon note image

Bacon

Smoky, salty, and meaty—a novelty note for the brave. It adds a savory, breakfast-time shock to a composition.

Ambrocenide (Symrise) note image

Ambrocenide (Symrise)

A powerhouse woody-amber synthetic that is extremely long-lasting. It provides a sharp, agarwood-like dryness to the base.

Leather note image

Leather

Tanned hide, birch tar, and smoke. Whether harsh or soft, it adds a distinct skin-like toughness.

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Aldron note image

Aldron

An animalic synthetic that mimics body heat and slight sweat. It adds a lived-in, human sensuality to otherwise sterile scents.

Milk note image

Milk

Creamy, lactonic, and comforting. It adds a nursery-soft texture.

Musk note image

Musk

The sensual fog that holds a perfume together. Can be clean (laundry) or dirty (skin).

Cheese note image

Cheese

Salty, fatty, and funky. In tiny doses, it adds richness to gourmands or oud.

View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells Notes

Beverages

Whether it is the effervescent joy of champagne, the roasted bitterness of espresso, or the warming embrace of a good cognac, these notes add a distinct 'flavour' to the air. They invoke specific moods and social rituals, taking the wearer from a morning café to a dimly lit jazz bar in a single spritz.

Cappuccino note image

Cappuccino

Coffee with foamed milk. It smells roasted but creamy and comforting.

Espresso note image

Espresso

Concentrated, bitter coffee. Dark, roasted, and intense.

Cream Liqueur note image

Cream Liqueur

Alcohol and dairy. Sweet, heavy, and warming.

Goldwasser note image

Goldwasser

A herbal liqueur with gold flakes. Smells of anise, caraway, and citrus.

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

Pink champagne. It smells fizzy like regular champagne but with added berry sweetness.

Hi-Fi note image

Hi-Fi

Orange and vodka cocktail. Citrusy and spirited.

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

Hot rum with butter and spices. It is rich, oily, and intoxicatingly warm.

Curaçao note image

Curaçao

Orange liqueur. Smells sweet, citrusy, and slightly bitter.

Champagne note image

Champagne

Sparkling and slightly yeasty, capturing the effervescence of a celebration. It adds a dry, fruity fizz that tickles the nose.

Coca-Cola note image

Coca-Cola

Effervescent and spicy with notes of cinnamon and lime. It brings a playful, nostalgic sweetness that feels decidedly American yet oddly chic.

Baileys Irish Cream note image

Baileys Irish Cream

Cream, cocoa, and whiskey notes blended into a rich liqueur. It creates a smooth, lactonic booziness that is very cozy.

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

Italian lemon liqueur. Intense, sweet lemon zest and alcohol.

Buttermilk note image

Buttermilk

Sour, creamy, and tangy. It adds a fermented lactic quality that cuts sweetness.

Gin note image

Gin

Juniper berries and alcohol. Sharp, piney, and clean.

Bourbon Whiskey note image

Bourbon Whiskey

Sweet, oaky, and vanilla-rich alcohol. It brings a warm, masculine depth to gourmand and woody scents.

Amarula note image

Amarula

A creamy liqueur note from the Marula fruit, smelling of caramel and fruit. It is milky and exotic, evocative of an African sunset.

Applejack note image

Applejack

A boozy apple brandy scent that is warm and fruity. It smells like spiced cider with a kick, perfect for autumn.

Lemon Soda note image

Lemon Soda

Sprite/7-Up scent. Fizzy, lime-lemon, and artificial.

Beer note image

Beer

Yeasty, malty, and slightly fizzy. It brings a casual, pub-like atmosphere that is strangely comforting.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

Tequila, lime, and blue curaçao. It smells salty, citrusy, and neon-sweet.

View All Beverages Notes

Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities

This is the avant-garde laboratory of the perfumer, featuring everything from the smell of hot rain on asphalt to the invisible radiance of Iso E Super. These notes are often less about a specific 'smell' and more about a texture, a feeling, or an atmospheric vibration that gives modern fragrances their edge.

Ambrinol note image

Ambrinol

Earthy, musky, and slightly oily, with a hint of violet. It smells like damp soil and aged ambergris.

CO2 Extracts note image

CO2 Extracts

A method of extraction that produces hyper-realistic scents. They smell exactly like the raw material.

Little Doll Strawberry note image

Little Doll Strawberry

A specific synthetic strawberry note. Plastic and sweet.

Aqual™ note image

Aqual™

A modern aldehyde that smells of fresh water and clean air. It creates a sparkling, lifting effect in the opening.

Black Leather note image

Black Leather

Intense, tarry, and smoky leather, like a biker jacket. It is darker and harsher than suede.

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

Smoky, spicy, and vanilla-like chemical. It gives smoked meats and whisky their scent.

Trimofix® note image

Trimofix®

Amber woody fixative. Dry.

Pink Crystal note image

Pink Crystal

A fantasy marketing note. Probably smells like sugar and fruit.

Satin note image

Satin

A fantasy texture. Smooth, cool, and glossy.

Pomarose note image

Pomarose

A Givaudan molecule. Smells of dried fruit, rose, and apples.

Pizza note image

Pizza

Oregano, tomato, and cheese. A novelty savory gourmand.

Mitti Attar note image

Mitti Attar

Baked earth distilled into sandalwood. The smell of the first rain.

Isobutyl Quinoline note image

Isobutyl Quinoline

A powerhouse synthetic leather note. It smells green, mossy, and incredibly sharp.

Metallic Notes note image

Metallic Notes

Cold, bloody, or coins. Sharp and modern.

Amyl Salicylate note image

Amyl Salicylate

An herbal, floral synthetic that smells vaguely of clover and orchids. It is famous for its use in classic fougères like Trefle Incarnat.

latex note image

latex

Rubber and plastic. It smells industrial, fetishistic, and smooth.

Cobblestone note image

Cobblestone

A fantasy mineral note. It smells of rain on cold stone streets.

Clarycet note image

Clarycet

A synthetic smelling of sage and fruit. It is herbal and wine-like.

Poivrol note image

Poivrol

A synthetic black pepper note. Spicy and woody.

Accord Eudora® note image

Accord Eudora®

A proprietary fantasy accord that usually leans sweet and amber-like. It functions as a warm, signature backdrop for modern compositions.

View All Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities Notes

Gourmand

An unapologetically hedonistic category dedicated to the pleasures of the patisserie, featuring dripping caramel, fluffy cotton candy, and rich chocolate. While purists may scoff, there is a profound, primal comfort in these sugary notes that bypasses the brain and goes straight to the stomach—and the heart.

Woods & Earth

The stoic backbone of fragrance, grounding the flightier notes with the scent of ancient trunks, dry bark, and the damp, shadowed floor of the forest. Ranging from the creamy spirituality of sandalwood to the dry, pencil-shaving snap of cedar, these notes provide structure, longevity, and a timeless elegance.

Beech note image

Beech

A light, clean wood scent that is less resinous than pine. It smells like fresh carpentry and forests.

Australian Blue Cypress note image

Australian Blue Cypress

A unique cypress oil that is blue in color and smells woody, smoky, and honeyed. It is complex and smoother than pine.

Patchouli (Green) note image

Patchouli (Green)

Fresh, leafy patchouli without the fermentation. Cleaner and lighter.

Amyris note image

Amyris

Often called 'West Indian Sandalwood,' it is woody but slightly balsamic and oily. It’s a reliable workhorse wood that smells creamy and resinous.

Paperbark note image

Paperbark

Melaleuca. Smells swampy, medicinal, and woody.

Eucalyptus note image

Eucalyptus

Cool, camphorous, and medicinal. It clears the head and smells like a spa steam room.

Liquidambar note image

Liquidambar

Sweetgum. It produces a balsamic resin (Styrax) that smells sweet and spicy.

Muhuhu note image

Muhuhu

African Sandalwood. Dry, woody, and slightly balsamic.

Belambra Tree note image

Belambra Tree

A synthetic wood note by Givaudan that smells dry, amber-like, and sophisticated. It adds modern radiance.

Nootka note image

Nootka

Nootka Cypress. Smells cedar-like and grapefruit-y.

Larch note image

Larch

A conifer scent. Resinous, turpentine-like, and fresh.

Massoia note image

Massoia

A bark smelling of coconut, dried milk, and wood. Extremely lactonic.

Amburana Wood note image

Amburana Wood

Similar to the bark but woodier, maintaining that rich tonka-bean sweetness. It feels cozy and exotic, like a tropical cabinet maker's shop.

Akigalawood note image

Akigalawood

A biotechnology marvel that smells like patchouli cleaned of its dirt. It is spicy, peppery, and woody, feeling very modern and polished.

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

The smell of damp forests, ink, and earth. It is the sensual soul of the Chypre family.

Laotian Oud note image

Laotian Oud

Known for being drier and sharper than other ouds. It smells intensely woody and incense-like.

Coconut Tree note image

Coconut Tree

The woody trunk scent. Dry, fibrous, and slightly salty.

Lichen note image

Lichen

Dry, crusty, and mineral-smelling. Similar to moss but drier.

Indian Oud note image

Indian Oud

The wildest of ouds, often smelling barnyard-like, leathery, and deeply animalic. It is intense and not for the shy.

Papyrus note image

Papyrus

Dry, smoky, and woody. It smells of ancient scrolls and river reeds.

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White Flowers

A distinct league of floral powerhouses including Tuberose, Jasmine, and Gardenia, known for their creamy, narcotic heaviness that often intensifies as the sun goes down. Unlike their shy daylight cousins, these blooms possess a carnal, indolic undertone—a whisper of animalic warmth amidst the sweetness—that makes them unapologetically sensual and dominating.

Arum Lily note image

Arum Lily

A fleshy white floral scent that can be slightly animalic. It smells grand and imposing, like a wedding bouquet.

Carissa note image

Carissa

Natal Plum blossoms, smelling similar to gardenia and jasmine. A lush, white floral.

Belanis note image

Belanis

A synthetic molecule that smells of anise and white florals. It bridges the gap between spice and petal.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

Like neroli but sharper. Floral with a bitter citrus edge.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

The King of Flowers. It can smell fresh and tea-like or heavy, animalic, and narcotic depending on the variety.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

Ipomoea alba. A night-blooming vine smelling sweet and musky.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

Heady, creamy white floral with a distinct mushroomy or blue cheese undertone. It is lush and narcotic.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

A tree with white flowers that smell intensely sweet and honeyed, similar to orange blossom but heavier.

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

Carnal, creamy, and loud. It smells of flesh, bubblegum, and green stems.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Lily note image

Lily

Spicy, waxy, and heady. It smells regal and sometimes slightly salty/meaty.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

Plumeria. Thick, creamy, and tropical, smelling of almonds and fruit. It is the scent of a holiday.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Boronia note image

Boronia

A rare Australian flower with a complex scent of fruit, wood, and violet. It is expensive and highly prized.

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

An African flower smelling of jasmine, chocolate, and spices. It is rich and dark.

Datura note image

Datura

A poisonous flower with a narcotic, almond-like floral scent. It smells dangerous, heavy, and hypnotic.

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

View All White Flowers Notes

Botanicals & Aromatics

This is the scent of the apothecary’s garden and the gentleman’s barber, full of crushed leaves, bracing mint, and the calming herbaceousness of lavender. These notes cut through heat and heaviness with a savory, green clarity that feels restorative, intelligent, and famously spirited.

Arnica note image

Arnica

Herbal, medicinal, and slightly hay-like. It adds a healing, apothecary vibe to aromatic blends.

Cherry Leaf note image

Cherry Leaf

Green and slightly bitter. It smells like the tree rather than the fruit.

Borneol note image

Borneol

A terpene that smells minty, camphoraceous, and woody. It feels medicinal and cooling.

Davana note image

Davana

A chameleon herb that smells of dried fruit, wine, and tea. It shifts on every skin, sometimes smelling balsamic, sometimes herbal.

Assam Tea note image

Assam Tea

A robust, malty black tea scent that is dark and tannic. It adds a sophisticated, breakfast-time depth to scents.

Green Branches note image

Green Branches

The smell of snapped twigs. Green, woody, and sappy.

Celery Seeds note image

Celery Seeds

Spicy and warm, distinct from the stalk. It adds a unique savory character.

Cedar Roots note image

Cedar Roots

Earthy and woody. It smells dirtier and deeper than the trunk wood.

Huang Lian note image

Huang Lian

Coptis Chinensis. Extremely bitter and earthy herb.

Black Currant Leaf note image

Black Currant Leaf

Green, tart, and sulfurous. It gives the fruit note a realistic, bush-like context.

Cedar Leaves note image

Cedar Leaves

Green and camphoraceous, unlike the dry wood. It smells forest-fresh.

Lapsang Souchong Tea note image

Lapsang Souchong Tea

Tea smoked over pinewood. It smells strongly of campfire, leather, and smoke.

Flouve note image

Flouve

Sweet Vernal Grass. Rich in coumarin, smelling of hay and tobacco.

Buckwheat Tea note image

Buckwheat Tea

Roasted and nutty, with a comforting warmth. It smells savory and toasted.

Chuan Xiong note image

Chuan Xiong

Szechuan Lovage. It smells spicy and herbal.

Ivy note image

Ivy

Dark green, bitter, and slightly spicy. It evokes cold stone walls and shaded gardens.

Sap note image

Sap

Sticky tree blood. Green, bitter, and resinous.

Hops note image

Hops

Bitter, green, and resinous. It smells like IPA beer and cannabis.

Rye note image

Rye

Cereal grain. Spicy and dry.

Coleus note image

Coleus

A plant with colorful leaves and an herbal, camphorous scent. It smells like a greenhouse.

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Spices

These ingredients bring the heat and the vibration, adding a three-dimensional hum to a composition that tickles the nose and wakes up the palate. From the cooling, camphorous touch of cardamom to the fiery crackle of black pepper, spices prevent a fragrance from ever feeling flat or boring.

Fennel note image

Fennel

Sweet, green anise flavor. It adds a cool, herbal licorice note.

Pimento note image

Pimento

Allspice berry. Clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg rolled into one.

Peppertree note image

Peppertree

Schinus molle. Resinous, woody, and peppery.

Timur note image

Timur

Nepalese pepper. Smells of grapefruit and passionfruit.

Water Pepper note image

Water Pepper

Smartweed. Sharp and peppery.

Cumin note image

Cumin

Spicy, warm, and unapologetically human, bordering on the smell of sweat. It adds a carnal, savory heat that makes a fragrance feel alive.

Cacao Pod note image

Cacao Pod

The raw bean smell—bitter, dusty, and earthy. It is chocolate before the sugar is added.

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

A Givaudan molecule. Smells of saffron, tobacco, and leather.

Mace note image

Mace

The outer covering of nutmeg. Smells similar but sweeter and softer.

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

Warm, spicy, and woody. It evokes baking, holidays, and heat.

Siam Cardamom note image

Siam Cardamom

Amomum. Camphorous and spicy.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

The hottest chili pepper. In perfume, it adds an aggressive, tingling heat.

West Indian Bay note image

West Indian Bay

Pimenta racemosa. Clove-like and spicy (Bay Rum).

Licorice note image

Licorice

Sweet, black, and anise-like. It adds a dark, polarizing gourmand twist.

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

Unroasted beans. They smell vegetal, pea-like, and grassy.

Saffron note image

Saffron

Red gold. It smells leathery, metallic, and medicinal. The most expensive spice in the world.

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

A duality of cool camphor and warm spice. It’s sophisticated and aromatic, often making a fragrance feel effortlessly expensive.

Vanilla note image

Vanilla

The real bean is woody, boozy, and spicy. Not just simple sugar.

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

Dry, herbal, and aromatic, often used in cooking. In perfume, it adds a savory, leafy crispness.

Star Anise note image

Star Anise

Licorice spice. Sweet, medicinal, and herbal.

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Resins And Balsams

The ancient tears of trees, these materials have been burned in rituals for millennia and bring a sacred, meditative smoke to perfumery. They are thick, sticky, and profoundly complex, offering a sweet, leathery darkness that feels like a protective cloak against the cold.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

A desert plant with a waxy bark that burns brightly. It smells resinous, incense-like, and sweet.

Amberwood note image

Amberwood

A sturdy blend of amber warmth and dry cedar-like woodiness. It acts as a strong pillar holding up the rest of the scent structure.

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

A resin smelling woody, peppery, and dry. Often used to adulterate patchouli, but lovely on its own.

Incense note image

Incense

Smoke, resin, and ritual. It captures the cold, spiritual air of a cathedral or a temple.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Elemi note image

Elemi

A resin that smells surprisingly like lemon, pine, and pepper. It is bright and balsamic.

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

A resin that smells of mushrooms, licorice, and earth. It is darker and stranger than frankincense.

Styrax note image

Styrax

Sweet, spicy, and leather-like resin. Smells of plastic and balsam.

Copal note image

Copal

A resin used in incense in Mexico. It smells bright, lemony, and piney.

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

An Amazonian resin smelling of wood, spice, and eucalyptus. It is fresh yet balsamic.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

Oil from prickly juniper, smelling intensely smoky and tarry. It creates the campfire effect.

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

Lemony, piney, and cold. It smells of high church mass and ancient rituals.

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

The concentrated essence of smoke and leather derived from birch. It is intensely phenolic, smelling like a bonfire.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

Rich, sweet, and vanilla-like resin. It acts as a fixative and smooths everything out.

Blue Amber note image

Blue Amber

A variant of amber found in the Dominican Republic. In perfume, it usually means an amber accord with aromatic or marine touches.

Benzoin note image

Benzoin

A comforting balsamic resin that smells of vanilla and cinnamon. It gives fragrances a cozy, almost edible warmth without being overly sugary.

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

Incense wood. It smells peppery, resinous, and spiritual, inspired by church incense.

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Citrus

The sunshine of the fragrance world, these volatile oils provide the sparkling opening act that greets you the moment the mist hits the air. While they are fleeting by nature, their zesty, sour-sweet optimism is essential for lifting the heavier materials and preventing a perfume from feeling like a lead weight.

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

Diluted citrus scent. It smells faint, clean, and splashy.

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

The oil from the rind. It contains the sulfurous, sparkly character of the fruit.

Petitgrain note image

Petitgrain

Distilled twigs of the bitter orange tree. Green, woody, and sharp—a cologne staple.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

Zesty and sharp, lacking the sugar of sweet oranges. It provides a refreshing, adult citrus note.

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

Caviar lime. It smells incredibly sharp, zesty, and exploding with sourness.

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

The oil from the peel. Bitter, shiny, and photorealistic.

Perfume lemon note image

Perfume lemon

A specific aromatic lemon variety. Intense zest.

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

Another name for Bitter Orange. It is sharp, zesty, and less sweet than regular orange, adding a sophisticated tartness.

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Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart and sweet.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

Bitter, zesty, and slightly sulfurous. It is uplifting and distinctly modern.

Buddha's hand note image

Buddha's hand

A strange citrus fruit smelling of lemon zest and flowers without the juice. It is dry and aromatic.

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

Juicier, sweeter, and redder than standard orange, with raspberry nuances. It feels lush and Mediterranean.

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Litsea Cubeba

May Chang. An shrub that smells intensely like lemon sherbet sweets.

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

A synthetic grapefruit. Bitter, fresh, and slightly floral.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Citron note image

Citron

A large, ancient citrus fruit. It smells dry, zesty, and less sweet than lemon.

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

Citronella-like and grassy. It smells sharp, herbal, and Thai.

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

Sour orange. It smells sharper and more bitter than a sweet orange.

Rind Bergamot note image

Rind Bergamot

The zest. Bitter and aromatic.

View All Citrus Notes

Assorted

A curated cabinet of curiosities for the notes that defy our desire for neat little boxes, yet remain absolutely essential to the perfumer's palette. Here you will find the outliers and the individualists, ingredients that possess a character so distinct they refuse to sit quietly with the flowers or the fruits.