Celebrating different notes in the perfumery | thescentbase.com

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'.

Reseda note image

Reseda

Mignonette. Green, violet-like floral.

Jasmine Orchid note image

Jasmine Orchid

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

Bread Flower note image

Bread Flower

A flower that reputedly smells like baking bread or boiled rice. A rare botanical oddity.

Liatris note image

Liatris

Deer's Tongue. It smells heavily of coumarin (hay/vanilla) and tobacco.

Calendula note image

Calendula

Marigold, smelling bitter, green, and slightly herbal. It adds a medicinal but sunny touch.

Chocolate Flower note image

Chocolate Flower

Berlandiera lyrata, a flower that actually smells like cocoa. Nature's gourmand.

Buddleia note image

Buddleia

The Butterfly Bush, smelling sweet, honeyed, and slightly almond-like. It attracts pollinators and noses alike.

Kadam note image

Kadam

Burflower. It smells woody and honeyed, distinct to Indian perfumery.

Nom Maew note image

Nom Maew

A Thai flower smelling of ripe jackfruit and magnolia.

Monoi Oil note image

Monoi Oil

Tiare flowers soaked in coconut oil. The scent of Tahiti.

Blue Lilies note image

Blue Lilies

Also known as Blue Lotus, it smells floral, aquatic, and slightly spicy. It has a sacred, tranquil quality.

Fig Blossom note image

Fig Blossom

Green and floral, lighter than the fruit. It smells fresh and unopened.

Dandelion note image

Dandelion

Bitter, green, and sappy with a hint of pollen. It captures the essence of pulling weeds in a sunlit garden.

Cardamom Flower note image

Cardamom Flower

Floral with spicy undertones. It connects the fresh spice to a petal texture.

Nasturtium note image

Nasturtium

Peppery flower. Smells green and spicy, like cress.

Pataqueira note image

Pataqueira

An Amazonian aquatic plant. Smells spicy and floral.

Green Nard note image

Green Nard

Spikenard. Intense, earthy, and musk-like. An ancient scent.

Hazel Blossom note image

Hazel Blossom

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

Hyssop note image

Hyssop

An ancient herb. Smells camphorous, minty, and spicy.

Paramela note image

Paramela

A plant from Patagonia. Smells honeyed and herbal.

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.

Tayberry note image

Tayberry

Blackberry-raspberry cross. Tart.

Okra Seeds note image

Okra Seeds

Ambrette seeds (Musk Mallow). Musky and pear-like.

Lucuma note image

Lucuma

Andean fruit. Smells creamy, like maple and sweet potato.

Pecan note image

Pecan

Buttery, sweet nut. Usually associated with pie.

Longan Berries note image

Longan Berries

Dragon Eye fruit. Smells musky, sweet, and floral.

Melon note image

Melon

Sweet, watery, and aquatic. Can smell like Calone.

Peach note image

Peach

Velvety skin and lactonic flesh. A classic note that ranges from fresh nectar to the iconic Mitsouko chypre style.

Salak note image

Salak

Snake Fruit. Crunchy, smelling of pineapple and apple.

Red Apple note image

Red Apple

Sweet, crisp fruit. Less tart than green apple.

Tucumã note image

Tucumã

Amazonian palm fruit. Oily and sweet.

Burning Cherry note image

Burning Cherry

The scent of charred wood and sweet fruit. A dramatic twist on the usual cherry note.

Argan note image

Argan

Nutty, oily, and rich, recalling luxurious hair treatments. It adds a smooth, fatty depth to the base of a fragrance.

Acai Berry note image

Acai Berry

A sharp, tart berry scent with a hint of dark chocolate bitterness. It smells vibrant and healthy, like a morning smoothie for the nose.

Artichoke note image

Artichoke

Vegetal, green, and slightly earthy. It is an unusual note that adds a savory, culinary twist to niche scents.

Hog Plum note image

Hog Plum

Spondias mombin. A tropical fruit smelling tart and musky.

Mamey note image

Mamey

Sapote. Creamy, pumpkin-like, and almondy fruit.

Quandong Desert Peach note image

Quandong Desert Peach

Australian bush fruit. Tart, peach-like, and dry.

Seriguela note image

Seriguela

Jocote. A tropical fruit scent.

Shea Nuts note image

Shea Nuts

Raw nut scent. Oily and bland.

Loganberry note image

Loganberry

Raspberry-blackberry hybrid. Tart and juicy.

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.

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.

Suede note image

Suede

Soft leather. Musky, velvety, and skin-like.

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.

Muscone note image

Muscone

The main component of natural deer musk. Smells warm, erotic, and radiant.

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Ambrostar note image

Ambrostar

A modern captive molecule that offers a dry, vibrant woody-amber effect. It helps a fragrance lift off the skin and sparkle.

Genet note image

Genet

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

Meat note image

Meat

Raw or cooked flesh. Iron-like, savory, and primal.

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Animal Notes note image

Animal Notes

A catch-all for smells that are furry, warm, and slightly dirty. They add a carnal, living breath to a perfume that makes it sexy.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Civettone note image

Civettone

A synthetic musk that replicates the warmth of civet without the cruelty or fecal edge. It is velvety and smooth.

Skin note image

Skin

Salty, warm, and musky. The smell of a human being.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

A specific textured leather print (Prada). Smells clean, synthetic, and expensive.

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Carrot Seeds note image

Carrot Seeds

Dry, woody, and earthy. It acts as a bridge between iris notes and woods.

Ambergris note image

Ambergris

The gold standard of fixatives, smelling of salty skin and warm ocean air. It possesses a magical ability to make a fragrance shimmer and last forever.

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.

Castoreum note image

Castoreum

Intensely leathery and animalic, smelling of ink and musk. It provides a dark, vintage sensuality that is certainly not for the faint of heart.

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

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

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.

Rhum Agricole note image

Rhum Agricole

Cane juice rum. Grassy, vegetal, and funky.

Pistachio Liquer note image

Pistachio Liquer

Sweet, nutty alcohol. Dessert in a glass.

Masala Chai note image

Masala Chai

Spiced milky tea. Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea.

Sparkling Water note image

Sparkling Water

Carbon dioxide bubbles. Sharp nose feel.

Rice Water note image

Rice Water

Starchy water. Mild and skin-soothing.

Tonic Water note image

Tonic Water

Quinine water. Bitter and fizzy.

Sangria note image

Sangria

Red wine and cut fruit. Sweet and summery.

Fruit Tea note image

Fruit Tea

Dried fruits steeped in hot water. Sweet, tart, and comforting.

Amaretto note image

Amaretto

The distinct aroma of almond liqueur, sweet and slightly bitter with a cherry edge. It is boozy and rich, perfect for evening wear.

Prosecco note image

Prosecco

Italian sparkling wine. Fruity, fizzy, and dry.

Gin note image

Gin

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

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

Specifically the steamed, pressurized bean smell. Energizing and bitter.

Caipirinha note image

Caipirinha

Lime, sugar, and cachaça. It smells zesty, sweet, and spirited.

Blackcurrant Juice note image

Blackcurrant Juice

Sweet, syrupy, and intensely fruity. It smells like Ribena, bringing a nostalgic, thirst-quenching vibe.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

Rum note image

Rum

Distilled sugarcane. Sweet, brown, and spicy. It evokes pirates and warm evenings.

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Bellini note image

Bellini

Peach puree and Prosecco. It smells fizzy, fruity, and sweet, capturing the essence of brunch in Venice.

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.

Cream Liqueur note image

Cream Liqueur

Alcohol and dairy. Sweet, heavy, and warming.

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.

Concrete note image

Concrete

Wet pavement smell. It is mineral, grey, and urban.

Talc note image

Talc

Baby powder smell. Mineral and soft.

Factor X note image

Factor X

A marketing fantasy note. Usually implies pheromones or something mysterious.

Cashmeran note image

Cashmeran

A complex synthetic smelling of wet concrete, musk, and spicy wood. It feels like wrapping yourself in wool.

Brick note image

Brick

The smell of baked clay and dust. It creates a mineral, urban atmosphere.

Head Space Waterfall note image

Head Space Waterfall

A capture of the air near a waterfall. Wet, ozonic, and clean.

Hashish note image

Hashish

Resinous cannabis. Sweet, herbal, and balsamic.

Lipstick note image

Lipstick

Wax, violet, and rose. The classic scent of vintage makeup.

Dodecanal note image

Dodecanal

An aldehyde that smells waxy, citrusy, and like clean pine. It smells intensely 'fresh' and soapy.

Copper note image

Copper

A metallic smell, warm and slightly sweet/bloody. It smells like loose change.

latex note image

latex

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

Diving Suit note image

Diving Suit

Neoprene and salt water. A synthetic note for avant-garde marine scents.

Ammonia note image

Ammonia

Sharp, stinging, and chemical; rarely used as a main note but adds 'lift.' It provides a jarring shock to the opening of avant-garde scents.

Cashalox note image

Cashalox

A synthetic musk that smells clean and slightly powdery. It adds softness.

Instant Film Accord note image

Instant Film Accord

The chemical smell of a developing Polaroid. Acrid, metallic, and nostalgic.

Para-Cresyl Phenyl Acetate note image

Para-Cresyl Phenyl Acetate

A chemical smelling of narcissus, horse manure, and honey. Animalic floral.

Pepperwood™ note image

Pepperwood™

A Givaudan molecule. Spicy, peppery, and fresh like linalool.

Pizza note image

Pizza

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

Salt note image

Salt

Savory and mineral. It adds a skin-like texture.

Nail Polish note image

Nail Polish

Acetate and solvent. Fruit-like chemical smell.

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.

Gourmand Accord note image

Gourmand Accord

A blend smelling of edible treats—vanilla, caramel, chocolate. Dessert for the nose.

Calissons d'Aix note image

Calissons d'Aix

A French candy made of melon and almond paste. It smells fruity, nutty, and sweet.

Red Fruits Sorbet note image

Red Fruits Sorbet

Icy berry puree. Sweet and cold.

Dragee note image

Dragee

Sugared almonds. It smells of hard candy shells, vanilla, and nuttiness.

Biscuit note image

Biscuit

The smell of baked flour, butter, and sugar. It creates a warm, comforting aura of tea-time treats.

Gummy Candies note image

Gummy Candies

Artificial fruit and gelatin. Playful and sweet.

Churros note image

Churros

Fried dough and cinnamon sugar. It is greasy, sweet, and comforting.

Apple Pie note image

Apple Pie

Baked apples, cinnamon, and buttery crust. It is a comforting gourmand scent that smells like home and holidays.

Cookie note image

Cookie

Baked goods. Smells of butter, sugar, and flour.

Griotte Cherries note image

Griotte Cherries

Morello cherries. Sour, dark, and often used in baking.

Chocolate Fudge note image

Chocolate Fudge

Dense, sugary chocolate. It is heavy, rich, and cloying.

Chocolate Truffle note image

Chocolate Truffle

Dark chocolate dusted with cocoa powder. It smells sophisticated and powdery.

Butter note image

Butter

Rich, fatty, and creamy. It adds a dense, savory mouthfeel to gourmand fragrances.

Chocolate Sauce note image

Chocolate Sauce

Liquid chocolate syrup. It smells sweet and artificial.

Dulce de Leche note image

Dulce de Leche

Slow-cooked caramelized milk. It smells thick, savory-sweet, and creamy.

French Pastries note image

French Pastries

Butter, sugar, and vanity. A generic gourmand richness.

Apple Licor note image

Apple Licor

A synthetic, candy-sweet apple alcohol note. It’s neon-green and playful, reminiscent of teenage cocktails.

Coconut Powder note image

Coconut Powder

Dry, desiccated coconut. It smells milky but dusty.

Coconut Pie note image

Coconut Pie

Custard, crust, and coconut. Sweet and dessert-like.

Baked Pear note image

Baked Pear

Sweet, grainy, and warm, like pears poached in syrup. It adds a sophisticated fruit dessert vibe.

View All Gourmand Notes

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.

Tatami note image

Tatami

Straw mats. Dry, grassy, and calming.

Dreamwood note image

Dreamwood

A sustainable sandalwood alternative from biotechnology. It smells creamy, milky, and warm.

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.

Fir note image

Fir

Balsamic and green. It smells like a winter forest or a Christmas wreath.

Bamboo note image

Bamboo

Clean, dry, and woody-green. It smells like a Zen garden, offering a structured freshness without being heavy.

Bark note image

Bark

The rough, dry outer layer of a tree. It smells earthy and textured, less creamy than the heartwood.

Amaranth note image

Amaranth

An earthy, grainy scent that smells slightly like dry hay or cereal. It adds a wholesome, rustic texture to a fragrance.

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

Cedarwood from the mountains. It smells drier and sweeter than Virginian cedar.

Baobab note image

Baobab

The majestic African tree, smelling dry, woody, and slightly fruity. It provides a unique, grand base note.

Ditax wood note image

Ditax wood

A rare wood from Senegal. It smells dry and slightly fruity.

Aspen note image

Aspen

A light wood scent that evokes crisp mountain air and trembling leaves. It feels clean and outdoorsy.

Pear Tree note image

Pear Tree

Woody and fruit-bearing.

Lichen note image

Lichen

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

Nootka note image

Nootka

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

Ebony Tree note image

Ebony Tree

Dark, dense, and slightly spicy wood. It feels mysterious and solid.

Larch note image

Larch

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

Grass Tree note image

Grass Tree

Xanthorrhoea. It creates a resin that smells balsamic and woody.

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Arbutus (Madrona, Bearberry Tree) note image

Arbutus (Madrona, Bearberry Tree)

A woody note with a sweet, berry-like nuance from the fruit. It smells rustic and Mediterranean.

Mulberry plant note image

Mulberry plant

Green and woody.

View All Woods & Earth Notes

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.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

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.

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

Nectar-heavy, sunny, and sweet. It captures the smell of warm summer evenings perfectly.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Datura note image

Datura

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

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

A genre (Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia). Indolic, creamy, and heady.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

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.

Calycanthus note image

Calycanthus

Also known as Carolina Allspice, smelling of strawberry, pineapple, and spice. It is a fruity-floral shrub.

Coca note image

Coca

The plant leaf, smelling green, dry, and tea-like. It lacks the sweetness of the soda.

Lily-of-the-Valley Leaves note image

Lily-of-the-Valley Leaves

Pure green freshness. It lacks the floral bell note.

Behini Tree note image

Behini Tree

A rare Malagasy tree with a green, woody aroma. It smells exotic and unfamiliar to Western noses.

Cactus note image

Cactus

Green, watery, and succulent. It evokes the desert after rain, fresh and clean.

Borage note image

Borage

An herb that smells surprisingly like fresh cucumber. It adds a watery, green freshness.

Cedar Roots note image

Cedar Roots

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

Blue Bugle note image

Blue Bugle

A wildflower scent that is mild and herbaceous. It adds a touch of wild meadow to a scent.

Katrafay note image

Katrafay

A Malagasy essential oil smelling woody, mossy, and clean.

Rumex note image

Rumex

Dock/Sorrel. Sour and green.

Centella Asiatica note image

Centella Asiatica

Gotu Kola. It smells herbal, grassy, and swampy. Popular in skincare scents.

Khella note image

Khella

Ammi Visnaga. It smells earthy and herbal.

Chicory note image

Chicory

Roasted root often used as a coffee substitute. It smells woody and caramel-like.

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves note image

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves

Milk Oolong. It smells naturally buttery and creamy, like steamed milk and green leaves.

Jatamansi or Spikenard note image

Jatamansi or Spikenard

A Himalayan root with a heavy, earthy, musky scent. It feels ancient and spiritual.

Clary Sage note image

Clary Sage

Herbal, sweet, and tea-like with an amber nuance. It is less medicinal than common sage.

Black Currant Leaf note image

Black Currant Leaf

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

Buchu or Agathosma note image

Buchu or Agathosma

A South African herb smelling of blackcurrant, mint, and cat pee. It is pungent and fruity-fresh.

Geranium Macrorrhizum (Zdravetz) note image

Geranium Macrorrhizum (Zdravetz)

Bulgarian geranium. It smells more woody, herbal, and spicy than the floral variety.

Genmaicha note image

Genmaicha

Green tea with roasted brown rice. Smells grassy and toasty/popcorn-like.

View All Botanicals & Aromatics Notes

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.

Dill note image

Dill

Aromatic, green, and savory—yes, it smells like pickles. It adds a surprising culinary freshness.

Pink Pepper note image

Pink Pepper

Not a true pepper, but a berry. It smells rosy, sparkling, and like gin.

Kaempferia Galanga note image

Kaempferia Galanga

Aromatic ginger. It smells spicy but also dusty and camphorous.

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

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

Sesame note image

Sesame

Toasted seeds. Nutty, oily, and savory.

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.

Nutmeg note image

Nutmeg

Dry, spicy, and woody. It adds a warm, dusty heat.

Water Pepper note image

Water Pepper

Smartweed. Sharp and peppery.

Pimento note image

Pimento

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

Peppertree note image

Peppertree

Schinus molle. Resinous, woody, and peppery.

Sumac note image

Sumac

Sour red spice. Lemon-like and earthy.

Cinnamon Leaf note image

Cinnamon Leaf

Smells like clove and cinnamon combined. It is harsher and greener than the bark.

Vanilla note image

Vanilla

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

West Indian Bay note image

West Indian Bay

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

Wan Sao Lhong note image

Wan Sao Lhong

Thai herb. Spicy and aromatic.

Curry note image

Curry

A blend of spices (cumin, fenugreek). It smells savory and warm.

Siam Cardamom note image

Siam Cardamom

Amomum. Camphorous and spicy.

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

Sansho pepper. It smells intensely lemony and creates a numbing effect.

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

Pungent and sulfurous when raw, but savory like onions when cooked. In perfume, it adds a weird, compelling earthy spice.

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

Smells like cloves but woodier and greener. It is drier than the bud.

View All Spices Notes

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.

Balsamic Notes note image

Balsamic Notes

A group of resinous materials like benzoin and myrrh that smell warm, sweet, and thick. They wrap a fragrance in a cozy amber blanket.

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.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

Copaiba balsam. It smells woody, spicy, and mild.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

A resin from the Mediterranean. Smells distinctively green, piney, and crisp.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

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

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.

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

Roasted Sal tree resin. It smells leathery, smoky, and woody.

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

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

Incense note image

Incense

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

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Balsamic Vinegar note image

Balsamic Vinegar

Acidic, fruity, and aged, with a dark sweetness. It adds a sharp, gourmet counterpoint to sweet notes like strawberry.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

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.

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

The cornerstone of amber accords. It smells leathery, sweet, dirty, and warm all at once.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

Clean, low-smoke incense usually based on sandalwood and aloeswood. It is meditative and dry.

Copal note image

Copal

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

High-grade green frankincense. Smells brighter and more citrusy.

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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.

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.

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

Sun-dried tangerine peel. It smells citrusy but aged and slightly medicinal.

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

Verveine. Herbal, fresh, and distinctly lemony without the acid.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

A Japanese citrus hybrid. Smells like sour orange and grapefruit.

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

An Australian leaf that smells 'more lemon than lemon.' Clean and sweet.

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Petitgrain note image

Petitgrain

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

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.

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

A Philippine lime that is tart, tangerine-like, and floral. It is a complex and exotic citrus.

Clementine note image

Clementine

Sweet, juicy, and seedless citrus. It smells happier and less acidic than orange.

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

Melissa. It smells like lemon mixed with mint and herbs.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

Sweeter and less acidic than orange. It smells candy-like and joyous.

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

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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.