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'.

Pink Flamingo Heliconia note image

Pink Flamingo Heliconia

Tropical flower. Green and mild.

Creamy Flowers note image

Creamy Flowers

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

Fuchsia note image

Fuchsia

A mostly scentless flower, represented as a green, slightly fruity floral.

Hemlock note image

Hemlock

Not the poison (usually), but the conifer. It smells green, piney, and woody.

Heliotrope note image

Heliotrope

A purple flower smelling remarkably like cherry pie, almonds, and vanilla powder. It is comforting and vintage.

Hibiscus note image

Hibiscus

A fantasy note, as the flower has little scent. Usually rendered as musky, red, and slightly sour.

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.

Sandalwood Flower note image

Sandalwood Flower

A faint floral scent from the tree.

Geranium note image

Geranium

Often called the 'man's rose.' It smells floral but with a sharp, minty, green edge.

Pansy note image

Pansy

Mild, grassy floral. Mostly a fantasy note.

Daylily note image

Daylily

A fleshy floral scent that is slightly melon-like. It feels waxy and sunny.

Papaya Blossom note image

Papaya Blossom

White floral scent with tropical nuances.

Althaea note image

Althaea

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

Honeydew Blossom note image

Honeydew Blossom

Light and watery floral.

Periwinkle note image

Periwinkle

Vinca. A mild, herbaceous floral scent.

Lily-of-the-Valley note image

Lily-of-the-Valley

Muguet. A tiny bell flower with a piercingly fresh, soapy green scent. It defines spring.

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.

Fire Lily note image

Fire Lily

A vibrant floral scent, spicy and warm.

Hoya Carnosa Wax Plant note image

Hoya Carnosa Wax Plant

A waxy flower that drips nectar. Smells intensely sweet and chocolatey at night.

Forget Me Not note image

Forget Me Not

A very mild, green floral. Often a fantasy note of delicate spring air.

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.

Feijoa Fruit note image

Feijoa Fruit

Pineapple Guava. It smells distinctively medicinal, minty, and fruity.

Breadnut note image

Breadnut

Similar to chestnut, smelling starchy and nutty. It provides a savory, food-like base.

Candlenut note image

Candlenut

An oily nut used in Southeast Asian cooking. It smells fatty and mild.

Burning Cherry note image

Burning Cherry

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

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

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

Arctic Bramble note image

Arctic Bramble

A hardy berry scent that is tart, wild, and slightly floral. It evokes cold climates and resilient nature.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

Peppery, crisp, and watery. It adds a sharp, earthy crunch that feels decidedly modern and savory.

Hazelnut note image

Hazelnut

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

Elderberry note image

Elderberry

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

Acerola note image

Acerola

A bright, zesty cherry-like fruit that is more sour than sweet. It adds a high-pitched Vitamin C freshness to fruity fragrances.

Sea Buckthorn note image

Sea Buckthorn

Orange berry. Sour, oily, and fruity.

Apricot note image

Apricot

Fuzzy, sweet, and soft-skinned, differing from peach by being slightly more tart. It has a velvety texture that blends beautifully with osmanthus.

Apple Juice note image

Apple Juice

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

Tucumã note image

Tucumã

Amazonian palm fruit. Oily and sweet.

Yellow Fruits note image

Yellow Fruits

Generic tropical fruit mix.

Macadamia note image

Macadamia

Buttery, fatty nut scent. Very rich.

Greengage note image

Greengage

A green plum. Tart, sweet, and honeyed.

Coconut Water note image

Coconut Water

Fresh, transparent, and lightly sweet. It adds a quenching hydration.

Genipapo note image

Genipapo

A Brazilian fruit. It smells funky, fruity, and fermented.

Guava note image

Guava

Pungent tropical fruit. It smells musky, sweet, and faintly of cat pee (in a characteristic way).

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.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Ambrarome note image

Ambrarome

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

Genet note image

Genet

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

BBQ note image

BBQ

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

Civet note image

Civet

Pungent and fecal in isolation, but magically warms up florals when used with a light hand. It creates that lived-in, intimate skin scent found in classic perfumery.

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

A refined, elegant musk. It adds a subtle animalic radiance and polish.

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.

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.

Caviar note image

Caviar

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

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Skin note image

Skin

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

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Coral Reef note image

Coral Reef

A fantasy marine note. Salt water, minerals, and life.

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.

Sea Shells note image

Sea Shells

Calcium and salt. Dry mineral scent.

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells Notes

Beverages

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

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

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

Red Wine note image

Red Wine

Tannins, grapes, and alcohol. A dark, staining scent.

Daiquiri note image

Daiquiri

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

Cognac note image

Cognac

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

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.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

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.

Génépi note image

Génépi

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

Cachaça note image

Cachaça

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

Goldwasser note image

Goldwasser

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

Kava Drink note image

Kava Drink

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

Lemon Soda note image

Lemon Soda

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

Hot Chocolate note image

Hot Chocolate

Cocoa and milk. Warm, powdery, and comforting.

Gin note image

Gin

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

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.

Calvados Drink note image

Calvados Drink

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

Cosmopolitan Cocktail note image

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Vodka, cranberry, and lime. Tart, fruity, and energetic.

Ice Wine note image

Ice Wine

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

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Grenadine note image

Grenadine

Pomegranate syrup. Sweet, red, and syrupy.

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.

Healingwood note image

Healingwood

A patchouli-based synthetic. It smells woody, lactonic, and clean.

Galaxolide note image

Galaxolide

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

Brick note image

Brick

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

Sea Water note image

Sea Water

Brine and algae. The smell of the ocean.

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.

Helvetolide note image

Helvetolide

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

Camphor note image

Camphor

Cool, mothball-like, and medicinal. It clears the sinuses and adds a freezing effect.

Lip Gloss note image

Lip Gloss

Sticky, fruity, and vanilla-scented. A nostalgic cosmetic smell.

Boisiris note image

Boisiris

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

Spiranol note image

Spiranol

A synthetic smelling green and floral.

Mitti Attar note image

Mitti Attar

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

Crustaceans note image

Crustaceans

Shellfish smell. Salty, oceanic, and savory.

Solar Notes note image

Solar Notes

Salicylates and warm musk. The smell of sun on skin.

Cashalox note image

Cashalox

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

Powdery Notes note image

Powdery Notes

The sensation of talc or makeup. Dry, soft, and comforting.

Ozonic Notes note image

Ozonic Notes

The smell of air before a thunderstorm. Sharp, metallic, and clean.

Terranol note image

Terranol

Earthy, mossy synthetic.

Plastic Bag note image

Plastic Bag

Dry polyethylene. Faint and chemical.

Black Leather note image

Black Leather

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

Motor Oil note image

Motor Oil

Petroleum and grease. Dirty, mechanical, and heavy.

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.

Cereals note image

Cereals

The smell of breakfast grains. Toasty, comforting, and wheaty.

Donut or Doughnut note image

Donut or Doughnut

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

Baklava note image

Baklava

Layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and honey. It is intensely sweet, nutty, and sticky—a true sugar rush.

Baked Pear note image

Baked Pear

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

Dragibus note image

Dragibus

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

Candies note image

Candies

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

Coconut Powder note image

Coconut Powder

Dry, desiccated coconut. It smells milky but dusty.

Cheesecake note image

Cheesecake

Cream cheese, sugar, and crust. It is tangy, creamy, and heavy.

Apple Licor note image

Apple Licor

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

Honey note image

Honey

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

Bubble Gum note image

Bubble Gum

The classic pink smell of tutti-frutti and sugar. It’s playful, young, and nostalgic.

Jiuniang (Sweet Fermented Rice Wine) note image

Jiuniang (Sweet Fermented Rice Wine)

Boozy, sweet, and yeasty. It smells like warm rice pudding with a kick.

Jellybean note image

Jellybean

Sugar shell and artificial fruit flavor. A playful, childhood scent.

Loukhoum note image

Loukhoum

Turkish Delight. Rosewater, sugar, and almonds. Powdery and sweet.

Banana Bread note image

Banana Bread

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

Lemon Pie note image

Lemon Pie

Custard and crust. Sweet citrus bakery scent.

Peach Cream note image

Peach Cream

Peaches and cream. Smooth, lactonic, and very sweet.

Palm Sugar note image

Palm Sugar

Coconut sugar. Caramelized and earthy sweetness.

Milk Cream note image

Milk Cream

Thick dairy scent. Richer than milk.

Sweet Pie note image

Sweet Pie

Fruit and pastry.

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.

Cork note image

Cork

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

Sandalore™ note image

Sandalore™

A synthetic sandalwood. Powerful and slightly floral.

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Patchouli note image

Patchouli

The scent of earth, damp wood, and dark chocolate. It can be hippie-dirty or Chanel-chic.

Laotian Oud note image

Laotian Oud

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

Olive Tree note image

Olive Tree

Woody and oily. Ancient and gnarled.

Pine Tree note image

Pine Tree

Fresh, resinous, and clean. The smell of a northern forest.

Papyrus note image

Papyrus

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

Nootka note image

Nootka

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

Malaysian Oud note image

Malaysian Oud

Often sweeter and spicier than Indian oud. Can have cola nuances.

Oak note image

Oak

The wood itself. Smells of barrels, tannins, and dry vanilla.

White Willow note image

White Willow

Woody and slightly bitter.

Thanaka Wood note image

Thanaka Wood

Burmese cosmetic wood. Sandalwood-like.

Mulberry plant note image

Mulberry plant

Green and woody.

Desert Sagebrush note image

Desert Sagebrush

Dry, dusty, and intensely herbal. It evokes the vast, arid landscapes of the American West.

Palisander Rosewood note image

Palisander Rosewood

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

Cashmir wood note image

Cashmir wood

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

Ravensara note image

Ravensara

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

Argan Tree note image

Argan Tree

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

Beech note image

Beech

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

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White Flowers

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

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.

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.

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

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.

Guao or Maiden Plum note image

Guao or Maiden Plum

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

Vanilla Leaves note image

Vanilla Leaves

Green and subtle.

Lapsang Souchong Tea note image

Lapsang Souchong Tea

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

Laurissilva Forest note image

Laurissilva Forest

Laurel forest accord. Humid, green, and spicy.

Arnica note image

Arnica

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

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.

Deer Tongue Grass note image

Deer Tongue Grass

Rich in coumarin, smelling of vanilla, hay, and almonds. It creates a sweet, herbaceous warmth.

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.

Asparagus note image

Asparagus

Distinctly vegetal and savory, bordering on sulfurous. It’s a brave, avant-garde choice for green fragrances.

Khella note image

Khella

Ammi Visnaga. It smells earthy and herbal.

Bulrush note image

Bulrush

A water reed scent that is green, dry, and slightly vegetative. It evokes ponds and wetlands.

Lesser Calamint note image

Lesser Calamint

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

Petrichor note image

Petrichor

The smell of dry earth hit by rain. Mineral, wet, and ozone-rich.

Lettuce note image

Lettuce

Watery green snap. Very mild and vegetative.

Ma-Kwaen note image

Ma-Kwaen

A Thai spice (Zanthoxylum). Citrusy and woody pepper.

Calamus note image

Calamus

A wetland reed smelling woody, spicy, and warm. It has an ancient, papyrus-like vibe.

Polygonum note image

Polygonum

Knotweed. Smells earthy and green.

Artemisia note image

Artemisia

Herbal, bitter, and green, famously used in vermouth. It provides a cool, dry, and somewhat austere character.

Pandan Leaf note image

Pandan Leaf

Asian vanilla. It smells intensely nutty, grassy, and like cooked rice.

Mistletoe note image

Mistletoe

Green and woody. Not very fragrant, mostly symbolic.

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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.

Mace note image

Mace

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Indian Spices note image

Indian Spices

A masala blend of cumin, coriander, and cardamom. Warm, savory, and vibrating with heat.

Carum note image

Carum

Another name for Caraway. Spicy, anise-like, and sharp.

Dill note image

Dill

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

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

Earthy, dusty, and slightly ginger-like. It adds a dry yellow spice note.

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Cloves note image

Cloves

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

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.

Cassia note image

Cassia

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

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.

Anise note image

Anise

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

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

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

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

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.

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

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.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

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.

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.

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Bakhoor note image

Bakhoor

Wood chips soaked in perfume oil and burned, creating a smoky, fragrant cloud. It smells traditional, Middle Eastern, and welcoming.

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

Copal note image

Copal

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

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

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

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

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.

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

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.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

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.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

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

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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 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.

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

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

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

Petitgrain note image

Petitgrain

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

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

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.

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

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

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

Citron note image

Citron

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

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Candied Lemon note image

Candied Lemon

Lemon peel boiled in syrup. It is sweet and tart, without the sharp bitterness of fresh rind.

Pomelo note image

Pomelo

A giant grapefruit. Mild, thick-rinded, and sweet-tart.

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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.