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'.

Hellabore Flower note image

Hellabore Flower

Winter rose. It has a subtle, earthy, and green scent.

Strelitzia note image

Strelitzia

Bird of Paradise. Mostly scentless, fantasy tropical.

Cannonball Flower note image

Cannonball Flower

A large tropical flower with a complex scent of rose and jasmine. It is heady and exotic.

Green Nard note image

Green Nard

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

Hyssop note image

Hyssop

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

Coconut Blossom note image

Coconut Blossom

Floral and slightly waxy. It hints at the fruit but is airier.

Chimonanthus or Wintersweet note image

Chimonanthus or Wintersweet

A winter flower with a waxy, spicy, and fruity scent. It smells distinctive and potent.

Chocolate Flower note image

Chocolate Flower

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

Eglantine Rose note image

Eglantine Rose

Sweet Briar Rose. The foliage smells distinctively of green apples.

Blue Poppy note image

Blue Poppy

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

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium) note image

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)

Waxy and green with very little scent. Usually a fantasy note of tropical freshness.

Chai Hu note image

Chai Hu

A Chinese medicinal root. It smells earthy and bitter.

Amazon Moonflower note image

Amazon Moonflower

A night-blooming flower scent that is intoxicating, sweet, and mysterious. It captures the humid magic of the rainforest at midnight.

Dove Tree note image

Dove Tree

The Handkerchief Tree. It has a light, incense-like floral aroma.

Albizia note image

Albizia

Also known as the Silk Tree, this smells sweet, fruity, and slightly like berries. It has a fluffy, pink texture to the nose.

Champaca note image

Champaca

A rich orange flower related to magnolia. It smells velvety, spicy, and tea-like.

Acerola Blossom note image

Acerola Blossom

A light, airy floral note with subtle fruity undertones. It bridges the gap between the tart fruit and a soft, petal-like texture.

Erigeron (Fleabane) note image

Erigeron (Fleabane)

A daisy-like weed with a mild, herbal scent.

Hortensia note image

Hortensia

Hydrangea. Very subtle scent, mostly green and watery.

Chinotto blossom note image

Chinotto blossom

The flower of the Myrtle-leaved orange tree. It smells like neroli with a darker twist.

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.

Persimmon note image

Persimmon

Sharon fruit. Sweet, jelly-like, and mild.

Red Apple note image

Red Apple

Sweet, crisp fruit. Less tart than green apple.

Mango note image

Mango

Juicy, tropical, and sulfuric. It has a distinct pine/turpentine nuance that makes it interesting.

Maninka note image

Maninka

An African fruit smelling of rum and passionfruit. Famous in Hugo Boss scents.

Cantaloupe note image

Cantaloupe

Sweet, watery orange melon. It smells fresh, aquatic, and summery.

Peanut note image

Peanut

Earthy, oily, and roasted. A savory gourmand note that is distinctively leguminous.

Plum note image

Plum

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

Raspberry note image

Raspberry

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

Macadamia note image

Macadamia

Buttery, fatty nut scent. Very rich.

Dried Apple Crisp note image

Dried Apple Crisp

Concentrated apple sweetness with a dusty, dehydrated quality. Less juicy, more intensely fruity.

Fig Leaf note image

Fig Leaf

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

Mung Bean note image

Mung Bean

Starchy and green. Used in Asian desserts.

Mirabelle note image

Mirabelle

Small yellow plum. Sweet, honeyed, and fruity.

Prickly Pear note image

Prickly Pear

Cactus fruit. Watery, sweet, and melon-like.

Red Berries note image

Red Berries

A mix of cranberry, currant, and peppercorn. Tart and festive.

Black Cherry note image

Black Cherry

Deep, dark, and sweet with an almond-like nuance. It is richer and more mysterious than red cherry.

Quandong Desert Peach note image

Quandong Desert Peach

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

Yellow Cherry note image

Yellow Cherry

Rainier cherry. Sweet and delicate.

Tucumã note image

Tucumã

Amazonian palm fruit. Oily and sweet.

Soursop note image

Soursop

Guanabana. Creamy, pineapple-strawberry flavor.

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.

Daim note image

Daim

The French term for suede; it smells softer and more velvety than full leather. It evokes the inside of a luxury handbag.

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

Animalic, musky, and distinctly barnyard. It adds a feral, rustic warmth.

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.

Muscone note image

Muscone

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

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Cetalox note image

Cetalox

A sleek, clean ambergris synthetic famously used as a standalone in 'Not A Perfume'. It smells purely of amber and skin.

Civettone note image

Civettone

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

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

A synthetic wood note smelling of warm amber, tobacco, and old wood.

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.

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Musk note image

Musk

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

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.

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.

Goat's Milk note image

Goat's Milk

Creamy but slightly tart and animalic. A funky milky note.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

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.

Grenadine note image

Grenadine

Pomegranate syrup. Sweet, red, and syrupy.

Caipirinha note image

Caipirinha

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

Advocaat note image

Advocaat

A rich, creamy liqueur scent smelling of vanilla, brandy, and custard. It is thick and indulgent, adding a boozy sweetness to the mix.

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.

Aperol note image

Aperol

Bittersweet orange, gentian, and rhubarb notes typical of the Italian aperitif. It brings a sunny, spritz-like joy to the opening.

Batida note image

Batida

A Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça and fruit juice. It smells sweet, boozy, and tropical—a party in a bottle.

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

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

Daiquiri note image

Daiquiri

Lime, rum, and sugar. It creates a zesty, sweet, and boozy accord that smells like a summer holiday.

Ice Wine note image

Ice Wine

Grapes frozen on the vine, producing an intensely sweet, honeyed nectar scent. It smells sticky and golden.

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

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

Campari note image

Campari

Bitter herbal liqueur. It smells medicinal, citrusy, and red.

Eau de Vie note image

Eau de Vie

Clear fruit brandy. It smells volatile, fruity, and sharp.

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.

Espresso note image

Espresso

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

Lemonade note image

Lemonade

Sugary lemon water. It is sweet rather than sour.

Cognac note image

Cognac

Aged grape brandy. It smells warm, fruity, woody, and expensive.

Cocktail Fruits note image

Cocktail Fruits

Canned fruit salad. Syrupy, mixed fruitiness.

Cream Soda note image

Cream Soda

Vanilla, fizzy water, and sugar. It smells frothy and sweet.

Lemon Soda note image

Lemon Soda

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

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.

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.

Play-Doh note image

Play-Doh

Salty wheat dough and vanilla. Pure childhood nostalgia.

Hand Cream note image

Hand Cream

A texture note. Smells creamy, cosmetic, and soothing.

Dust note image

Dust

Dry, powdery, and tickling. It adds an atmospheric, attic-like quality.

Geosmin note image

Geosmin

The smell of earth after rain. Muddy, beet-like, and profoundly natural.

Damascone note image

Damascone

A potent aroma chemical that gives roses their fruity, apple-like jamminess. It smells vibrant and rosy-sweet.

Fabric note image

Fabric

The smell of cotton, wool, or linen. Usually a musk accord evoking laundry.

Eugenol note image

Eugenol

The main component of clove oil. Smells spicy, warm, and medicinal (like a dentist's office).

Egg note image

Egg

Sulfurous and savory. An oddity in perfume, usually found in custard accords.

Dew Drop note image

Dew Drop

A fantasy note capturing the smell of wet grass at dawn. It is watery, green, and fleeting.

Ash note image

Ash

The smell of cold fireplaces and grey residue. It is dry, powdery, and somber, evoking a sense of aftermath.

Ambreine note image

Ambreine

The heart of labdanum, smelling warm, balsamic, and slightly spicy. It creates the classic oriental feel found in many masterpieces.

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.

Aluminum note image

Aluminum

A cold, metallic fantasy note that smells sharp and industrial. It evokes the feeling of cool technology or a modern skyscraper.

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.

Black Diamond note image

Black Diamond

A fantasy marketing note implying luxury, hardness, and coldness. Usually smells mineralic or smoky.

Azarbre note image

Azarbre

A synthetic that combines honey, tobacco, and dried flower notes. It adds a warm, autumnal feeling to the base.

Helvetolide note image

Helvetolide

A modern musk that smells of pears and ambrette. It feels fruity and soft.

Dihydromyrcenol note image

Dihydromyrcenol

The smell of clean laundry and modern men's cologne. It is intensely fresh, soapy, and lime-like.

Ethyl Maltol note image

Ethyl Maltol

The smell of cotton candy and burnt sugar. It is the engine behind many blockbuster gourmands.

Hair Pomade note image

Hair Pomade

A wax/grease scent. Evokes vintage barbershops and grooming.

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.

Cassata Siciliana note image

Cassata Siciliana

Ricotta, candied fruit, and sponge cake. It is a rich, creamy Italian dessert scent.

Sacher Torte note image

Sacher Torte

Chocolate cake and apricot jam. A Viennese classic.

Dragibus note image

Dragibus

A specific French jelly bean. It smells fruity, sticky, and artificial.

Banana Bread note image

Banana Bread

Warm, spicy, and yeasty with the sweetness of ripe bananas. It’s pure comfort food for the nose.

Gourmand Accord note image

Gourmand Accord

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

Bonbon note image

Bonbon

A general term for hard candy. It smells sugary, fruity, and childlike.

Brownie note image

Brownie

Dense, fudgy chocolate and cake. It is the ultimate chocolate gourmand note.

Dragee note image

Dragee

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

Dulce de Leche note image

Dulce de Leche

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

Gianduia note image

Gianduia

Chocolate and hazelnut paste. It is rich, nutty, and sweet (think Nutella).

Bubbaloo note image

Bubbaloo

A specific brand of liquid-filled gum. Smells intensely synthetic, fruity, and sweet.

Bread note image

Bread

The savory, yeasty smell of baked crust. It evokes comfort, bakeries, and simple pleasures.

Fougassette note image

Fougassette

A Provencal bread flavored with orange blossom. Yeasty and floral.

Brown Sugar note image

Brown Sugar

Sweetness with a molasses depth. It smells darker and more caramelized than white sugar.

Brioche note image

Brioche

Sweet, buttery bread with a distinct egginess. It is rich, fluffy, and gourmand.

Fresh Cream note image

Fresh Cream

Pure dairy scent. Cool, milky, and mild.

Halva note image

Halva

Sesame paste and sugar. Nutty, oily, and dense.

Apple Licor note image

Apple Licor

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

French Pastries note image

French Pastries

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

Honey note image

Honey

Sweet, animalic, and golden. It can smell urinous (like civet) or purely sugary depending on the dosage.

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.

White Oud note image

White Oud

A gentler, cleaner oud accord.

Dartanol® note image

Dartanol®

A synthetic sandalwood note that is creamy, spicy, and very persistent. It creates a smooth, woody foundation.

Cashmir wood note image

Cashmir wood

A fantasy wood accord that is soft, smooth, and musky. It isn't a real tree.

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

Sun-bleached wood soaked in sea salt. It smells dry, musky, and oceanic.

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.

Carob Tree note image

Carob Tree

Woody and slightly chocolate-like. It adds a dry, sweet earthy nuance.

Belambra Tree note image

Belambra Tree

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

Cocobolo note image

Cocobolo

A Central American hardwood with a floral, rose-like scent. Rich and spicy.

Cascarilla note image

Cascarilla

A bark that smells spicy, woody, and peppery. It adds a dry heat to compositions.

Beech note image

Beech

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

Araucaria note image

Araucaria

Also known as the Monkey Puzzle tree, its wood smells resinous and piney. It is a rare note that adds an ancient, coniferous feel.

Cabreuva note image

Cabreuva

A South American wood that smells floral, woody, and spicy. It has a delicate, complex character.

Grass Tree note image

Grass Tree

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

Elm note image

Elm

A green, watery wood scent. It feels fibrous and natural.

Buddha Wood note image

Buddha Wood

An Australian wood also known as False Sandalwood. It smells woody, smoky, and rose-like.

Coconut Tree note image

Coconut Tree

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

Mysore Sandalwood note image

Mysore Sandalwood

The gold standard. Milky, buttery, and incredibly smooth. Sadly endangered.

Patchouli (Green) note image

Patchouli (Green)

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

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.

Pepperwood or Hercules Club note image

Pepperwood or Hercules Club

A spicy, aromatic wood scent.

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.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

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.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Lily note image

Lily

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

Waxy white floral with a citrus edge. Fresh and pretty.

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

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.

Celery note image

Celery

Green, watery, and slightly spicy. It adds a savory vegetable freshness.

Fougère Accord note image

Fougère Accord

The classic 'barbershop' smell: Lavender, Oakmoss, and Coumarin. Clean, masculine, and timeless.

Lesser Calamint note image

Lesser Calamint

A mint variety smelling of pennyroyal and oregano. Sharp and herbal.

Earl Grey Tea note image

Earl Grey Tea

Black tea infused with bergamot oil. It is citrusy, tannic, and utterly civilized.

Azolla (Water Fern) note image

Azolla (Water Fern)

A small aquatic fern that smells green, damp, and mossy. It evokes the stillness of a pond covered in duckweed.

Bagas de Zimbro note image

Bagas de Zimbro

Juniper berries in Portuguese. Piney, resinous, and gin-like, they provide a crisp, aromatic lift.

Rumex note image

Rumex

Dock/Sorrel. Sour and green.

Grape Leaves note image

Grape Leaves

Green and slightly tannic. It evokes vineyards and dolmas.

Genmaicha note image

Genmaicha

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

Snake Plant note image

Snake Plant

Sansevieria. Green and dry.

Huang Lian note image

Huang Lian

Coptis Chinensis. Extremely bitter and earthy herb.

Gajumaru Banyan note image

Gajumaru Banyan

A fig tree variety. Smells woody, green, and aerial roots.

Turnera Diffusa (Damiana) note image

Turnera Diffusa (Damiana)

Herbal shrub. Chamomile-like.

Barrenwort note image

Barrenwort

A ground-cover plant that smells earthy and green. It creates a forest-floor atmosphere.

Green Forest note image

Green Forest

A fantasy accord of pine, moss, and leaves. Fresh and shady.

Violet Leaf note image

Violet Leaf

Intensely green, metallic, and cucumber-like. Very masculine.

Jojoba note image

Jojoba

An odorless oil in reality, but in perfume, it represents a nutty, waxy texture.

Guao or Maiden Plum note image

Guao or Maiden Plum

A Caribbean shrub with a poisonous sap but a sweet scent.

Valerian note image

Valerian

Medicinal root. Can smell like dirty socks.

Sweet Grass note image

Sweet Grass

Hierochloe odorata. Vanilla-scented hay (coumarin).

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.

Anise note image

Anise

Sweet, spicy, and licorice-like. It adds a polarizing aromatic sweetness that cuts through warmer notes with a cool edge.

Kaempferia Galanga note image

Kaempferia Galanga

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

Caraway note image

Caraway

Spicy, anise-like seeds often found in rye bread. It adds a savory, sharp aromatic quality.

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

A pepper variety with a camphorous, allspice-like scent. Cooler than black pepper.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Star Anise note image

Star Anise

Licorice spice. Sweet, medicinal, and herbal.

Cloves note image

Cloves

Intense, hot, and numbing spice. It contains high levels of Eugenol and smells medicinal and warm.

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

Mustard Seed note image

Mustard Seed

Pungent and sharp. Adds a biting heat.

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

Citrusy and tingling. Unlike black pepper, it smells of lemon and metal.

West Indian Bay note image

West Indian Bay

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Nutmeg note image

Nutmeg

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

Bengal Pepper note image

Bengal Pepper

Also known as Long Pepper, it is hotter and sweeter than black pepper. It has a complex, spicy-sweet aroma.

Pimento Seeds note image

Pimento Seeds

Peppery and dry.

Dill note image

Dill

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

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.

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

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.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

Sweet Myrrh. Smells like toffee, balsam, and mushrooms.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Andiroba note image

Andiroba

An oil from the Amazon that smells woody, nutty, and slightly bitter. It adds a wild, unpolished texture to a fragrance.

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

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

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

Smoky, leathery, and dark. Smells of campfires and ships.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Dragon Blood Resin note image

Dragon Blood Resin

A bright red resin that smells sweet, spicy, and slightly woody. It is lighter and cleaner than frankincense.

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Incense note image

Incense

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

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

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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.

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

Green and petitgrain-like. It adds a leafy bitterness.

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Lemon note image

Lemon

Bright, acidic, and sunny. It can smell like fresh zest or cleaning fluid depending on the quality.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

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

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

Makrut lime. The leaves smell intensely sharp, green, and uniquely Thai cuisine-like.

Green Tangerine note image

Green Tangerine

Unripe tangerine. It smells more zesty and bitter than the ripe fruit.

Citruses note image

Citruses

A general category for Hesperidic notes (lemon, orange, etc.). They are volatile, fresh, and uplifting.

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Limetta note image

Limetta

Sweet Lime. Less acidic than regular lime, more floral.

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

A citrus used in Bengal. The thick rind smells incredibly oily and zest-heavy.

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

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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.