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'.

Freesia note image

Freesia

Peppery and fresh. It adds a sparkling, high-pitched floral energy.

Lilac note image

Lilac

A powdery, fresh spring floral. It smells clean, sweet, and slightly almond-like.

Laurel Blossom note image

Laurel Blossom

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

Cananga note image

Cananga

A relative of Ylang-Ylang but coarser and woodier. It smells intensely floral and slightly green.

Yellow Bells note image

Yellow Bells

Tecoma stans. Honeyed floral.

Sand Lily note image

Sand Lily

Pancratium maritimum. Spicy, lily-like white floral.

Astragalus note image

Astragalus

An herb used in traditional medicine with a sweet, earthy, root-like smell. It feels grounding and restorative.

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.

Hollyhock note image

Hollyhock

Very mild floral scent. Mostly used for a cottage garden vibe.

Cannonball Flower note image

Cannonball Flower

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

Rosyfolia note image

Rosyfolia

A synthetic fresh rose. Radiates green floralcy.

Redwood Flower note image

Redwood Flower

Rare floral note.

Yuzu Flower note image

Yuzu Flower

Citrus blossom. Fresh and neroli-like.

Taif Rose note image

Taif Rose

A rich, tea-like rose from Saudi Arabia. Spicy and deep.

Princess Tree (Paulownia) note image

Princess Tree (Paulownia)

Vanilla-scented purple flowers.

Field Scabious note image

Field Scabious

A wildflower with a soft, honey-like scent.

Gustavia Flower note image

Gustavia Flower

Amazonian Heaven Lotus. It has a sweet, fleshy floral scent.

Wildflowers note image

Wildflowers

Generic meadow scent. Honeyed and varied.

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.

Starflower note image

Starflower

Borage. Cucumber-like.

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.

Red Apple note image

Red Apple

Sweet, crisp fruit. Less tart than green apple.

Mushroom note image

Mushroom

Earthy, fungal, and damp. Smells like soil and forest floors.

Peanut note image

Peanut

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

Pistachio note image

Pistachio

Nutty, green, and creamy. It often has an almond/cherry nuance.

Persimmon note image

Persimmon

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

Quandong Desert Peach note image

Quandong Desert Peach

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

Rambutan note image

Rambutan

Hairy fruit related to lychee. Sweet, woody, and floral.

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.

Blackberry note image

Blackberry

Dark, juicy, and sweet-tart. It smells deeply fruity with a hint of musk, evocative of hedgerows in late summer.

Lucuma note image

Lucuma

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

Pitanga note image

Pitanga

Surinam Cherry. Tart, red, and tropical.

Fig Leaf note image

Fig Leaf

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

Longan Berries note image

Longan Berries

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

Hazelnut note image

Hazelnut

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

Boysenberry note image

Boysenberry

A cross between a raspberry and blackberry. It smells juicy, jammy, and deep purple.

Grapes note image

Grapes

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

Quince note image

Quince

A hard, yellow fruit smelling of rose, pear, and lemon. It is incredibly aromatic and tart.

Plantain note image

Plantain

Starchy banana. Less sweet, more vegetable-like.

Olive note image

Olive

Oily, green, and savory. Distinctly Mediterranean.

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.

Habanolide® note image

Habanolide®

A synthetic musk with a metallic, hot-iron undertone. It smells clean and waxy.

Caviar note image

Caviar

Salty, fishy, and savory. It adds a luxury marine aspect, famously used in Mugler's Womanity.

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

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.

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

Sweet, animalic, and sticky, with hints of honey and pollen. It adds a natural, waxy richness to the base.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

Ancient Egyptian incense recipe. Smells of wine, raisins, honey, and resins.

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Ambroxan note image

Ambroxan

A synthetic marvel that mimics ambergris but with a drier, woodier crispness. It’s incredibly diffusive and seems to float around the wearer like a transparent veil.

Skin note image

Skin

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

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.

Civettone note image

Civettone

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

Suede note image

Suede

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

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.

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

BBQ note image

BBQ

Smoky, savory, and charred. It evokes open fires and grilled meat—a bold, atmospheric choice.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Meat note image

Meat

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

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

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.

Tequila note image

Tequila

Agave spirit. Earthy, alcoholic, and weird.

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.

Gin note image

Gin

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

Absinthe note image

Absinthe

Aromatic and bitter with that notorious anise kick. It evokes bohemian Paris and adds a dangerous, green edge to any composition.

Cocktail Fruits note image

Cocktail Fruits

Canned fruit salad. Syrupy, mixed fruitiness.

Kava Drink note image

Kava Drink

Earthy, muddy, and pepper-like. It smells distinctly rooty.

Génépi note image

Génépi

An alpine herbal liqueur. Smells of wormwood, herbs, and mountain air.

Grenadine note image

Grenadine

Pomegranate syrup. Sweet, red, and syrupy.

Cachaça note image

Cachaça

Brazilian sugarcane spirit. It smells sweet, vegetal, and funky, different from rum.

Kir Royal note image

Kir Royal

Champagne and crème de cassis. Fizzy, berry-sweet, and chic.

Fruit Tea note image

Fruit Tea

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

Calvados Drink note image

Calvados Drink

French apple brandy. It smells of warm, fermented apples and oak barrels.

Curaçao note image

Curaçao

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

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

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

Bourbon Whiskey note image

Bourbon Whiskey

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

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.

Bellini note image

Bellini

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

Beer note image

Beer

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

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

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

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.

Bourgeonal note image

Bourgeonal

A synthetic smelling of Lily of the Valley with a watery freshness. It’s powerful and diffusive.

Sisal Rope note image

Sisal Rope

Agave fiber. Dry, grassy, and woody.

Indole note image

Indole

The 'dirty' note found in white flowers (and decay). It smells mothball-like and fecal, but adds a necessary lushness to florals.

Blood note image

Blood

Metallic, salty, and disturbing. It’s an avant-garde note used to create shock or a primal feeling.

Dust note image

Dust

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

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.

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

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

Aldehydes note image

Aldehydes

The champagne bubbles of perfumery, offering a fizzy, soapy sparkle. It lifts heavy florals into the stratosphere, making them feel abstract and modern.

Dew Drop note image

Dew Drop

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

Cashalox note image

Cashalox

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

Little Doll Strawberry note image

Little Doll Strawberry

A specific synthetic strawberry note. Plastic and sweet.

Boisiris note image

Boisiris

A synthetic that bridges wood and iris. It smells dry, woody, and slightly powdery.

Egg note image

Egg

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

Ink note image

Ink

Smells of metallic salts, charcoal, and damp wood. It evokes melancholy letters and calligraphy.

Graphite note image

Graphite

Pencil lead. Grey, mineral, and dry wood.

Fire note image

Fire

Smoky, dry, and hot. It mimics the scent of burning things.

Hashish note image

Hashish

Resinous cannabis. Sweet, herbal, and balsamic.

Instant Film Accord note image

Instant Film Accord

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

Cigarette note image

Cigarette

Unburnt tobacco and paper, or ash. It adds a gritty, noir vibe.

Concrete note image

Concrete

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

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.

Halva note image

Halva

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

Apple Pie note image

Apple Pie

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

Candies note image

Candies

A general note for hard, sugary sweets. It brings a playful, artificial fruitiness.

Oatmilk note image

Oatmilk

Creamy and grainy. A gentle, wholesome sweetness.

Dates note image

Dates

Sticky, honeyed fruit with a dense, sugary profile. It evokes the warmth and richness of the Middle East.

Chantilly Cream note image

Chantilly Cream

Sweet whipped cream. It adds a fluffy, airy vanilla sweetness.

Chocolate Truffle note image

Chocolate Truffle

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

Chocolate Sauce note image

Chocolate Sauce

Liquid chocolate syrup. It smells sweet and artificial.

Crème Brûlée note image

Crème Brûlée

Burnt sugar and vanilla custard. It smells rich, egg-y, and caramelized.

Horchata note image

Horchata

Rice milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Creamy and comforting.

Dulce de Leche note image

Dulce de Leche

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

Buttercream note image

Buttercream

Sugar and fat whipped together. It smells like frosting—vanillic, sweet, and heavy.

Chamallow note image

Chamallow

French marshmallow. Sweet, powdery, and soft.

Gummy Candies note image

Gummy Candies

Artificial fruit and gelatin. Playful and sweet.

Dark Chocolate note image

Dark Chocolate

Bitter, roasted, and dusty cocoa beans. It adds a sophisticated gourmand edge without the sugar rush of milk chocolate.

Fougassette note image

Fougassette

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

Cookie note image

Cookie

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

Honeycomb note image

Honeycomb

Honey plus beeswax. It adds a waxy texture to the sweetness.

Donut or Doughnut note image

Donut or Doughnut

Fried dough and sugar glaze. It smells oily, sweet, and comforting.

Fresh Cream note image

Fresh Cream

Pure dairy scent. Cool, milky, and mild.

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.

Ravensara note image

Ravensara

Aromatic oil from Madagascar. Smells camphorous, spicy, and clove-like.

Massoia note image

Massoia

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

Paraguayan Green Sandalwood note image

Paraguayan Green Sandalwood

Guaiac wood. Smoky and woody.

Rhizoma Atractylodis note image

Rhizoma Atractylodis

Chinese root. Pungent and earthy.

Kowhai note image

Kowhai

New Zealand's national flower. It smells earthy and nectar-like.

White Oud note image

White Oud

A gentler, cleaner oud accord.

Kyara wood note image

Kyara wood

The highest grade of Oud. It smells complex, spiritual, honeyed, and absolutely priceless.

Paperbark note image

Paperbark

Melaleuca. Smells swampy, medicinal, and woody.

Papyrus note image

Papyrus

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

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.

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.

Takamaka note image

Takamaka

Resinous tropical wood.

Thanaka Wood note image

Thanaka Wood

Burmese cosmetic wood. Sandalwood-like.

Ditax wood note image

Ditax wood

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

Pamplewood note image

Pamplewood

A synthetic note blending grapefruit (pamplemousse) and wood. Bitter and fresh.

Eucalyptus note image

Eucalyptus

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

Sawdust note image

Sawdust

Freshly cut wood. Dry and powdery.

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

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

Agarwood (Oud) note image

Agarwood (Oud)

The heavyweight champion of woods, smelling dark, complex, and occasionally barnyard-esque. It adds a profound, resinous depth that demands attention.

Cork note image

Cork

Dry, woody, and light. Smells like a wine stopper or bark.

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.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

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.

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.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

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.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

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.

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.

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

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

Oily Notes note image

Oily Notes

Fatty, slick, and heavy. Used to mimic mechanics or food.

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

A photorealistic roasted coffee bean extract. It smells exactly like an espresso bar.

Allspice note image

Allspice

A warm spice rack in a single note, smelling of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined. It feels festive and warming, perfect for winter.

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Timur note image

Timur

Nepalese pepper. Smells of grapefruit and passionfruit.

Cassia note image

Cassia

Chinese cinnamon. It smells hotter, sharper, and woodier than true cinnamon.

Pepper note image

Pepper

Black pepper. Sharp, hot, and sneezing-dry. It adds a masculine vibration.

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Oriental Notes note image

Oriental Notes

A genre of resins, spices, and vanilla. Warm, sensual, and heavy.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Coriander note image

Coriander

The seed, not the leaf. It smells woody, spicy, citrusy, and warm.

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Galanga note image

Galanga

Galangal (Thai Ginger). Smells like ginger but more citrusy, piney, and medicinal.

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Kopi Luwak Coffee note image

Kopi Luwak Coffee

Civet coffee. It smells roasted but with a distinctive animalic, musky undertone.

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Cloves note image

Cloves

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

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.

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.

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.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

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

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

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

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.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

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

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

Pungent, medicinal, and asphalt-like. It smells like fresh pavement.

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.

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

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

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Choya Nakh note image

Choya Nakh

Roasted seashells. It smells smoky, mineral, and oceanic.

Bisabolene note image

Bisabolene

A terpene that smells balsamic, woody, and slightly citrusy. It is often found in myrrh and opoponax.

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

View All Resins And Balsams Notes

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.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Citrus Japonica note image

Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart and sweet.

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-like.

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

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.

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

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

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

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.