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'.

Hibiscus note image

Hibiscus

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

Lamprocapnos note image

Lamprocapnos

Bleeding Heart. A faint, soapy floral scent.

Coffee Blossom note image

Coffee Blossom

A white flower that smells like jasmine with a coffee nuance. Rare and beautiful.

Karmaflor® note image

Karmaflor®

A synthetic floral from Givaudan smelling of salicylates (sunscreen) and exotic blossoms.

Erigeron (Fleabane) note image

Erigeron (Fleabane)

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

Nasturtium note image

Nasturtium

Peppery flower. Smells green and spicy, like cress.

Cistus Incanus note image

Cistus Incanus

Rockrose. It smells resinous, herbal, and sweet, related to Labdanum.

Dried Rose note image

Dried Rose

Potpourri-like, dusty, and nostalgic. It smells darker and more muted than a fresh bloom.

Chocolate Flower note image

Chocolate Flower

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

Impatiens note image

Impatiens

A watery, green floral scent with very little sweetness. It smells like snapping a fresh plant stem.

Calla Lily note image

Calla Lily

Elegant and architectural, smelling faintly green and floral. It is more about the visual fantasy than a strong scent.

Forget Me Not note image

Forget Me Not

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

Delonix note image

Delonix

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

Dogwood Blossom note image

Dogwood Blossom

A mild, powdery floral scent. It is mostly textural, adding a soft white petal feel.

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.

Desert Rose note image

Desert Rose

Not a true rose, but an Adenium. It has a faint, watery floral scent that feels resilient and clean.

Fire Lily note image

Fire Lily

A vibrant floral scent, spicy and warm.

Orchid Pink Leopard note image

Orchid Pink Leopard

Another specific orchid variety or fantasy.

Fig Blossom note image

Fig Blossom

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

Dandelion note image

Dandelion

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

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.

Cherry Jam note image

Cherry Jam

Cooked cherries and sugar. Intense, sticky fruitiness.

Corn Silk note image

Corn Silk

The threads on corn cobs. Smells green, dry, and sweet.

Sour Cherry note image

Sour Cherry

Tart and acidic red fruit.

Green Anjou Pears note image

Green Anjou Pears

Crisp and watery pear. Less sweet than other varieties.

Brazil Nut note image

Brazil Nut

Rich, fatty, and oily nut scent. It adds a buttery, tropical heaviness.

Cauliflower note image

Cauliflower

Sulfurous and vegetal. A savory note for experimental compositions.

Honeydew Melon note image

Honeydew Melon

Sweet, green, and aquatic. A staple of 90s freshwater scents.

Jackfruit note image

Jackfruit

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

Guava note image

Guava

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

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

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

Candlenut note image

Candlenut

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

Chestnut note image

Chestnut

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

Grape Seed note image

Grape Seed

Oily and mild. Mostly adds texture.

Boysenberry note image

Boysenberry

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

Bitter melon note image

Bitter melon

Green, watery, and distinctly bitter. It adds a sharp, vegetal crunch that feels healthy and astringent.

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu note image

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu

Amazonian fruit related to cacao. Smells like chocolate and pineapple.

Green Pear note image

Green Pear

Juicy and grainy. It adds a transparent sweetness.

Count's Fruit note image

Count's Fruit

A specific exotic fruit, sweet and juicy.

Apple Juice note image

Apple Juice

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

Blackberry note image

Blackberry

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

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.

Musk note image

Musk

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

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Genet note image

Genet

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

Muscone note image

Muscone

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

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

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.

Carrot Seeds note image

Carrot Seeds

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

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.

Coral Reef note image

Coral Reef

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

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.

Leather note image

Leather

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

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.

Goat's Milk note image

Goat's Milk

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

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

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.

Mezcal note image

Mezcal

Smoky tequila. Agave, smoke, and earth.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail note image

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

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

Gin note image

Gin

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

Génépi note image

Génépi

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

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

Cream Liqueur note image

Cream Liqueur

Alcohol and dairy. Sweet, heavy, and warming.

Coca-Cola note image

Coca-Cola

Effervescent and spicy with notes of cinnamon and lime. It brings a playful, nostalgic sweetness that feels decidedly American yet oddly chic.

Cream Soda note image

Cream Soda

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

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.

Cherry Liqueur note image

Cherry Liqueur

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

Blackcurrant Juice note image

Blackcurrant Juice

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

Grenadine note image

Grenadine

Pomegranate syrup. Sweet, red, and syrupy.

Bohea (Wuyi Tea) note image

Bohea (Wuyi Tea)

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

Fruit Tea note image

Fruit Tea

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

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.

Curaçao note image

Curaçao

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

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

Hot rum with butter and spices. It is rich, oily, and intoxicatingly warm.

Cognac note image

Cognac

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

Goldwasser note image

Goldwasser

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

Hot Chocolate note image

Hot Chocolate

Cocoa and milk. Warm, powdery, and comforting.

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.

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.

Horchata note image

Horchata

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

Gelatin note image

Gelatin

Faintly animalic and bland. It evokes the texture of jelly sweets.

Tropézienne Tarte note image

Tropézienne Tarte

Brioche and cream. French dessert scent.

Eggnog note image

Eggnog

Nutmeg, cream, and rum. It smells undeniably like Christmas.

Butterscotch note image

Butterscotch

Brown sugar and butter. It smells deeper and more molasses-like than caramel.

Cosmofruit™ (IFF) note image

Cosmofruit™ (IFF)

A synthetic fruity note smelling of quince and pear. It is diffusive and sweet.

Honey note image

Honey

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

Baked Pear note image

Baked Pear

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

Baba (Italian dessert) note image

Baba (Italian dessert)

A yeast cake soaked in rum syrup, smelling boozy and sugary. It’s a sophisticated gourmand treat for adults.

Maraschino Cherry note image

Maraschino Cherry

Bright red, almondy, and artificial. The smell of a cocktail garnish.

Baked Apple note image

Baked Apple

Warm, soft fruit with caramelized sugars. It lacks the crispness of fresh apple, replacing it with comforting warmth.

Kulfi note image

Kulfi

Indian ice cream. Dense, milky, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and pistachio.

Icing Pink note image

Icing Pink

The smell of fondant or decorative sugar. Pure, unadulterated sweetness.

Dulce de Leche note image

Dulce de Leche

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

Churros note image

Churros

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

Marzipan note image

Marzipan

Almond paste. Intense bitter almond and sugar.

Peach Cream note image

Peach Cream

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

Knafeh note image

Knafeh

Sweet cheese pastry soaked in syrup. Salty-sweet, creamy, and rose-scented.

Pancake note image

Pancake

Batter and maple syrup. Warm and breakfast-like.

Ice cream note image

Ice cream

Vanilla, sugar, and cold milk. It evokes a creamy, melting sweetness.

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.

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

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

Beech note image

Beech

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

Amyris note image

Amyris

Often called 'West Indian Sandalwood,' it is woody but slightly balsamic and oily. It’s a reliable workhorse wood that smells creamy and resinous.

Cambodian Oud note image

Cambodian Oud

A variety of oud known for being sweeter and fruitier than others. It can smell slightly like dried berries.

Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha note image

Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha

An Indian marsh plant root that smells woody, earthy, and smoked. It is often used as a substitute or companion to Oud.

Cypress note image

Cypress

Dry, green, and coniferous, evoking the rolling hills of Tuscany. It has a resinous freshness that feels stately and timeless.

Aspen note image

Aspen

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

Alder note image

Alder

A subtle wood note that is light and slightly sweet. It provides a background hum of nature without dominating the conversation.

Australian Oud note image

Australian Oud

Sourced from Australian botanicals, this oud is often cleaner and greener. It lacks the barnyard funk of traditional agarwood.

Charred Wood note image

Charred Wood

Burnt timber. Smoky, carbonized, and dark.

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.

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

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

Sequoia note image

Sequoia

Giant Redwood. Spicy, earthy, and damp wood.

Arbutus (Madrona, Bearberry Tree) note image

Arbutus (Madrona, Bearberry Tree)

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

Thuja note image

Thuja

Arborvitae. Cedar-like and fruity.

White Willow note image

White Willow

Woody and slightly bitter.

Transparent Woods note image

Transparent Woods

Iso E Super type woods. Sheer and clean.

Scots pine variant note image

Scots pine variant

Pine needles. Fresh and balsamic.

Paraguayan Green Sandalwood note image

Paraguayan Green Sandalwood

Guaiac wood. Smoky and woody.

View All Woods & Earth Notes

White Flowers

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

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.

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.

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

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.

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.

Tomato Leaf note image

Tomato Leaf

Fuzzy, green, and astringent. The smell of a greenhouse.

Borage note image

Borage

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

Chicory note image

Chicory

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

Citron Leaf note image

Citron Leaf

Green and citrusy. It adds a leafy freshness to citrus blends.

Buckwheat Tea note image

Buckwheat Tea

Roasted and nutty, with a comforting warmth. It smells savory and toasted.

Cangzhu note image

Cangzhu

A Chinese medicinal root (Atractylodes). It smells spicy, woody, and rooty.

Immortelle note image

Immortelle

A polarizing Mediterranean flower that smells of maple syrup, curry powder, and burnt sugar. It is dry, spicy, and unforgettable.

Lesser Calamint note image

Lesser Calamint

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

Rooibos Red Tea note image

Rooibos Red Tea

South African bush tea. Woody, sweet, and earthy.

Behini Tree note image

Behini Tree

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

Coca note image

Coca

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

Raspberry leaf note image

Raspberry leaf

Herbal tea scent. Green and mild.

Arnica note image

Arnica

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

Water Lily Leaf note image

Water Lily Leaf

Vegetal aquatic note.

Reed note image

Reed

Water grass. Dry, papery, and aquatic.

Yarrow note image

Yarrow

Herbal, sweet, and medicinal.

Stems Greens note image

Stems Greens

Cut plant stalks. Sap and chlorophyll.

Saw Palmetto note image

Saw Palmetto

Palm variety. Green and dry.

Pennyroyal note image

Pennyroyal

A pungent mint relative. Herbal, sharp, and medicinal.

Chuan Xiong note image

Chuan Xiong

Szechuan Lovage. It smells spicy and herbal.

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.

Star Anise note image

Star Anise

Licorice spice. Sweet, medicinal, and herbal.

Dill note image

Dill

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

Mustard Seed note image

Mustard Seed

Pungent and sharp. Adds a biting heat.

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.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Anise note image

Anise

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

Saffron note image

Saffron

Red gold. It smells leathery, metallic, and medicinal. The most expensive spice in the world.

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Chutney note image

Chutney

Spiced fruit relish. It smells savory, sweet, and vinegary.

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Carum note image

Carum

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

Sesame note image

Sesame

Toasted seeds. Nutty, oily, and savory.

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

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

Pepper note image

Pepper

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

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.

Incense note image

Incense

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

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

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

Bisabolene note image

Bisabolene

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

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.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

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.

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

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.

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.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

Liquidambar. It smells balsamic, cinnamic, and styrax-like.

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.

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Citruses note image

Citruses

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Pomelo note image

Pomelo

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

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.

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

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.

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Citrus Japonica note image

Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart 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.

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

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

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

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.