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'.

Buttercup note image

Buttercup

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

Fig Blossom note image

Fig Blossom

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

Strobilanthes Callosa note image

Strobilanthes Callosa

Karvi. Rare Indian flower.

Hazel Blossom note image

Hazel Blossom

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

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.

Daphne note image

Daphne

A winter bloom with an intoxicating scent of lemon soap and spicy carnation. It is clean yet heady.

Dahlia note image

Dahlia

A subtle, slightly bitter floral scent. It lacks the sweetness of a rose, smelling more like fresh garden greenery and stems.

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium) note image

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)

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

African Marigold note image

African Marigold

Pungent, green, and fruity with a slightly bitter, apple-like aroma. It is a bold note that adds a wild, sunny character to florals.

Diviniris note image

Diviniris

A synthetic iris molecule that is buttery and woody. It provides the elegance of orris root.

Althaea note image

Althaea

A soft, musky floral scent that is related to hibiscus. It feels gentle and slightly powdery on the skin.

Creamy Flowers note image

Creamy Flowers

A general description for white florals like gardenia or tuberose that have a buttery texture.

Hellabore Flower note image

Hellabore Flower

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

Hoary Stock note image

Hoary Stock

Matthiola incana. It smells spicy, clove-like, and sweet.

Green Nard note image

Green Nard

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

Delonix note image

Delonix

The Flame Tree, offering a subtle tropical floral note. It smells vaguely of orchids and ferns.

Begonia note image

Begonia

A mild floral scent with lemon-like nuances. It is fresh and unobtrusive, used for a light floral touch.

Blackberry Blossom note image

Blackberry Blossom

A light floral scent with a whisper of fruit. It is delicate and often used to lighten berry compositions.

Champaca note image

Champaca

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

Deadnettle note image

Deadnettle

A common weed with a faint, honeyed-herbal smell. It adds a touch of wild hedgerow to a composition.

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.

Dewberry note image

Dewberry

A 90s icon, smelling like a sweet, jammy blackberry. It is dark fruity and nostalgic.

Tomato note image

Tomato

Red fruit. Acidic and savory.

Cranberry note image

Cranberry

Tart, red, and astringent. It adds a festive bitterness to fruit accords.

Forest Fruits note image

Forest Fruits

Mixed berries—blackberry, raspberry, blueberry. Juicy and dark.

Buriti note image

Buriti

An Amazonian palm fruit smelling oily, woody, and fruity. It is exotic and rich.

Kiwi note image

Kiwi

Sweet, watery, and slightly berry-like. It adds a neon-green fruitiness.

Elderberry note image

Elderberry

Tart, juicy, and dark purple. It lacks the sweetness of other berries.

Kumbaru note image

Kumbaru

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

Nashi Pear note image

Nashi Pear

Asian Pear. Crisp, watery, and very fresh.

Jackfruit note image

Jackfruit

Sweet, fleshy, and slightly bubblegum-like fruit. It has a funky, tropical ripeness.

Cashew note image

Cashew

Creamy, fatty, and soft nut scent. It adds a buttery texture.

Rhubarb note image

Rhubarb

Sharp, vegetal, and acidic stems. It needs sugar to make it edible, but shines raw in perfume.

Pecan note image

Pecan

Buttery, sweet nut. Usually associated with pie.

Apple Juice note image

Apple Juice

Sweet, golden, and concentrated, lacking the tart skin of the fresh fruit. It adds a sugary, nostalgic fruitiness.

Fruit Salad note image

Fruit Salad

A mix of generic fruity notes. Sweet, watery, and indistinguishable.

Sarsaparilla note image

Sarsaparilla

Root beer scent. Vanilla, wintergreen, and licorice.

Chestnut note image

Chestnut

Starchy, sweet, and nutty. When roasted, it smells warm and cozy.

Almond note image

Almond

Bittersweet and creamy, sometimes leaning towards marzipan or cherry. It adds a comforting, nutty gourmand facet to perfumes.

Maninka note image

Maninka

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

Tamanu note image

Tamanu

Nut oil. Spicy, fatty, and curry-like.

View All Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes Notes

Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells

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

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Akashic Acord note image

Akashic Acord

A fantasy concept note meant to evoke the ether or spiritual archives. Usually smells airy, mineral, and impossible to pin down.

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.

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

Sea Shells note image

Sea Shells

Calcium and salt. Dry mineral scent.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Genet note image

Genet

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

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.

Leather note image

Leather

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

BBQ note image

BBQ

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

Meat note image

Meat

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

Caviar note image

Caviar

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

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.

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

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.

Eau de Vie note image

Eau de Vie

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

Sake note image

Sake

Rice wine. Yeasty, fruity (melon-like), and mild.

Génépi note image

Génépi

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

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.

Bohea (Wuyi Tea) note image

Bohea (Wuyi Tea)

A smoky, oxidized oolong tea. It smells woody, roasted, and sophisticated.

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.

Mocha note image

Mocha

Coffee and chocolate. Dark, roasted sweetness.

Soy Milk note image

Soy Milk

Bean milk. Nutty, vegetal, and creamy.

Jasmine Tea note image

Jasmine Tea

Green tea infused with jasmine blossoms. It smells steamy, floral, and soothing.

Bellini note image

Bellini

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

Port Wine note image

Port Wine

Sweet fortified wine. Fruity, heavy, and aged.

Bourbon Whiskey note image

Bourbon Whiskey

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

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.

Madeira note image

Madeira

Fortified wine. Smells oxidized, nutty, and caramelized.

Pisco Sour Cocktail note image

Pisco Sour Cocktail

Grape brandy, lime, and egg white. Tart and boozy.

Raki note image

Raki

Turkish anise spirit. Smells of licorice and grapes.

Cherry Liqueur note image

Cherry Liqueur

Boozy, sweet cherry. It adds a dark, cocktail vibe.

White Wine note image

White Wine

Crisp, fruity, and acidic alcohol.

Caipirinha note image

Caipirinha

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

Vinegar note image

Vinegar

Acetic acid. Sour and pungent.

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.

Sweat note image

Sweat

Cumin and salt. Human and carnal.

Javanol note image

Javanol

A super-powerful synthetic sandalwood. It smells creamy, metallic, and rosy, and lasts for days.

Alcantara Accord note image

Alcantara Accord

A synthetic leather note that feels softer and more suede-like than traditional leather. It evokes the interior of a very expensive sports car.

Damascone note image

Damascone

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

Galaxolide note image

Galaxolide

The quintessential 'clean laundry' musk. It is floral, woody, and intensely soapy.

Aldambre note image

Aldambre

A synthetic molecule that feels dry, woody, and intensely hot. It adds a radiant heat to a fragrance, like sun baking on stone.

Coal note image

Coal

Dusty, black, and mineral. It adds a soot-like darkness.

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.

Brick note image

Brick

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

Lorenox note image

Lorenox

A synthetic woody-amber. It smells leathery and aromatic.

Copper note image

Copper

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

Credit Cards note image

Credit Cards

A fantasy scent of plastic and ambition. Smells new and synthetic.

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

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

Ash note image

Ash

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

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.

Azarbre note image

Azarbre

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

Hexyl Acetate note image

Hexyl Acetate

A chemical smelling of pear and apple. Fruity and solvent-like.

Poivrol note image

Poivrol

A synthetic black pepper note. Spicy and woody.

Black Leather note image

Black Leather

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

Orcanox™ note image

Orcanox™

Ambroxan variant. Woody, ambery, and clean.

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Gourmand

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

Woods & Earth

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

Thanaka Wood note image

Thanaka Wood

Burmese cosmetic wood. Sandalwood-like.

Paperbark note image

Paperbark

Melaleuca. Smells swampy, medicinal, and woody.

Mesquite Wood note image

Mesquite Wood

The wood itself. Earthy and dry.

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Massoia note image

Massoia

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

Mysore Sandalwood note image

Mysore Sandalwood

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

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

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

Palisander Rosewood note image

Palisander Rosewood

A high-quality wood smelling floral, spicy, and woody.

Pamplewood note image

Pamplewood

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

Dark Patchouli note image

Dark Patchouli

Aged and intense, smelling of wet earth, camphor, and dark cellars. It is the heavy, hippie-chic version of the leaf.

Aspen note image

Aspen

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

Fir note image

Fir

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

Eucalyptus note image

Eucalyptus

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

Mulberry plant note image

Mulberry plant

Green and woody.

Kyara wood note image

Kyara wood

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

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

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

Argan Tree note image

Argan Tree

The woody aspect of the Argan, smelling dry and sun-baked. It conjures images of Moroccan landscapes.

Liquidambar note image

Liquidambar

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

Palo Santo note image

Palo Santo

Holy Wood. It smells creamy, lemony, and smoky, used for cleansing energy.

Fig tree note image

Fig tree

Woody and grey, with hints of the milky sap. A dry, summery 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.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

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.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

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.

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.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

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.

Bagas de Zimbro note image

Bagas de Zimbro

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

Duck Poo Oolong note image

Duck Poo Oolong

Dan Cong tea (the name is a myth, luckily). It smells floral, honeyed, and distinctly like orchids.

Fo Ti (Ho Shou Wu) note image

Fo Ti (Ho Shou Wu)

A Chinese medicinal root. Earthy, bittersweet, and herbaceous.

Ginseng note image

Ginseng

Bitter, earthy root scent. It smells medicinal and vital.

Barrenwort note image

Barrenwort

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

Fern note image

Fern

A fantasy scent of green forest floors. Soapy, shady, and cool.

Algae note image

Algae

A slimy, green, oceanic scent that is iodine-heavy and salty. It brings the true, funky smell of the seaside rather than the sanitized version.

Tumbleweed note image

Tumbleweed

Dry grass and dust. Desert smell.

Banana Leaf note image

Banana Leaf

Large, waxy, and vividly green. It smells of humid rainforests and crushed vegetation, fresh and slightly bitter.

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.

Apple Mint note image

Apple Mint

A fuzzy-leafed mint variety that smells softer and fruiter than peppermint. It creates a gentle, garden-fresh cooling effect.

Aromatic Notes note image

Aromatic Notes

A broad family including sage, rosemary, and lavender. These notes are spirited, clean, and bracing—the backbone of men's perfumery.

Green Pepper note image

Green Pepper

Bell pepper. It smells remarkably crunchy, watery, and green.

Horseweed note image

Horseweed

Erigeron canadensis. Smells herbal and distinctively weedy.

Angelica Root note image

Angelica Root

Earthier and muskier than the plant, with a damp soil quality. It serves as a fantastic natural fixative with a dark green character.

Garlic note image

Garlic

Pungent and sulfurous. A daring, savory note rarely used in fine fragrance.

Grass note image

Grass

Freshly cut lawn. Green, sweet, and chlorophyll-heavy.

Davana note image

Davana

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

Green Sap note image

Green Sap

The liquid lifeblood of a plant. Sticky, green, and slightly bitter.

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Spices

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

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Dill note image

Dill

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Curry Tree note image

Curry Tree

The leaves used in Indian cooking. They smell citrusy, herbal, and distinct.

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.

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

Maple syrup and curry powder. It is spicy, sweet, and savory all at once.

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.

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

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.

Coffee Tincture note image

Coffee Tincture

Alcohol infusion of coffee. Smells lighter and boozier than the absolute.

Galanga note image

Galanga

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

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

Mace note image

Mace

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

Sesame note image

Sesame

Toasted seeds. Nutty, oily, and savory.

Anise note image

Anise

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

Ginger note image

Ginger

Fresh, spicy, and lemony. It adds a fizzy, energetic heat to the top notes.

Pepper note image

Pepper

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

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

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Resins And Balsams

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

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.

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.

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.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Incense note image

Incense

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

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.

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

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.

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.

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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.

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

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

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

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

Limetta note image

Limetta

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

Rind Bergamot note image

Rind Bergamot

The zest. Bitter and aromatic.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

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

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Yuzu note image

Yuzu

Japanese grapefruit. A complex mix of lime, mandarin, and pine. Bitter and aromatic.

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

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.

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

Bergamot note image

Bergamot

The finest of citruses, famous for giving Earl Grey tea its distinct aroma. It’s bitter, tart, and floral all at once—the perfect opening act.

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

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.