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'.

Azalea note image

Azalea

A dusty, slightly spicy floral scent. It isn't strongly fragrant in nature, so it's often a fantasy interpretation of the pink blooms.

Privet note image

Privet

Hedge flowers. Smells sweet and slightly dusty.

Hyacinth note image

Hyacinth

A powerhouse spring flower. It smells oily, green, spicy, and intensely floral.

Daisy note image

Daisy

Green, herbaceous, and mild. It doesn't smell 'floral' in the traditional sense, but rather like a wild, grassy meadow.

Elderflower note image

Elderflower

Creamy, floral, and slightly hay-like. It smells like summer cordials and countryside lanes.

Encian note image

Encian

Gentian. It smells bitter, earthy, and herbal.

Green Nard note image

Green Nard

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

Vanilla Bahiana note image

Vanilla Bahiana

Brazilian vanilla orchid. Green and sugary.

Myrtle note image

Myrtle

Herbal, camphorous, and slightly floral. Smells Mediterranean.

Fragonia note image

Fragonia

An Australian oil smelling of citrus, florals, and tea tree. It is complex and balanced.

Water Lily note image

Water Lily

Nymphaea. Mild, watery, and cool floral.

Pear Blossom note image

Pear Blossom

A white floral scent that is slightly cleaner and sharper than apple blossom.

Goldenrod note image

Goldenrod

Herbal, anise-like, and yellow. It smells like late summer fields.

Osmanthus note image

Osmanthus

A tiny flower that smells deliciously of apricot jam, tea, and soft leather. It is joyful and sophisticated.

Alyssum note image

Alyssum

A honey-sweet flower scent that can be quite powerful. It smells like warm summer air filled with nectar.

Yunnan Osmanthus note image

Yunnan Osmanthus

High-quality absolute. Leathery apricot.

Geranium note image

Geranium

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

Daylily note image

Daylily

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

Waratah note image

Waratah

Australian flower. Nectar-rich.

Hyssop note image

Hyssop

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

View All Florals Notes

Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes

This is the scent of the orchard and the vegetable patch rather than the patisserie, capturing the crisp snap of an apple or the earthy grit of a carrot. These notes add a mouth-watering texture and vitality, bringing a sense of abundance and natural realism that prevents a fragrance from feeling too abstract.

Red Mulberry note image

Red Mulberry

Sweet berry scent.

Cassowary Fruit note image

Cassowary Fruit

A large plum-like fruit. It smells sweet and fleshy.

Fruit Salad note image

Fruit Salad

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

Blueberry note image

Blueberry

Sweet, tart, and slightly spicy. It adds a dark blue fruitiness that isn't as jammy as blackberry.

Forest Fruits note image

Forest Fruits

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

Bearberry note image

Bearberry

A small red berry found in cold climates, smelling tart and dry. It adds a crisp, wild fruitiness.

Currant Leaf and Bud note image

Currant Leaf and Bud

Cassis. It smells green, fruity, tart, and animalic.

Dried Fruits note image

Dried Fruits

A sticky mix of raisins, dates, and figs. It adds a rich, boozy sweetness to oriental perfumes.

Ground Cherry note image

Ground Cherry

Physalis/Cape Gooseberry. Tart, tomato-like, and sweet.

Corn Silk note image

Corn Silk

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

Cashew note image

Cashew

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

Cherimoya note image

Cherimoya

Custard Apple. Creamy, tropical, and sweet like bubblegum.

Blackthorn note image

Blackthorn

The shrub that produces sloes, smelling woody and sharp. It has a hedgerow toughness to it.

Cabernet Grape note image

Cabernet Grape

Dark, tannic, and sweet grape scent. It mimics the aroma of red wine on the vine.

Japanese Loquat note image

Japanese Loquat

A fruit smelling like a mix of peach, citrus, and mango. It is mild and juicy.

Cherry Jam note image

Cherry Jam

Cooked cherries and sugar. Intense, sticky fruitiness.

Chickpeas note image

Chickpeas

Savory, nutty, and earthy. An unusual gourmand note.

Argan note image

Argan

Nutty, oily, and rich, recalling luxurious hair treatments. It adds a smooth, fatty depth to the base of a fragrance.

Buriti note image

Buriti

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

Burning Cherry note image

Burning Cherry

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

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.

Muscone note image

Muscone

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

Goat's Milk note image

Goat's Milk

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

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.

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

Musk note image

Musk

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

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

Anthamber™ note image

Anthamber™

A woody, amber-like molecule that adds volume and substance. It provides a sturdy background for other notes to dance upon.

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

Fossilized Hyrax droppings. Sounds dreadful, smells amazing: leathery, musky, and earthy (and cruelty-free).

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

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.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Caviar note image

Caviar

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

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

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.

Truffle note image

Truffle

Fungus not chocolate. Earthy, musky, and savory.

BBQ note image

BBQ

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

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.

Ambrette (Musk Mallow) note image

Ambrette (Musk Mallow)

A vegetal musk derived from seeds, smelling of pear brandy and clean skin. It is one of the few natural musks and feels incredibly sophisticated.

Leather note image

Leather

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

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.

Tokaji Wine note image

Tokaji Wine

Hungarian sweet wine. Honeyed apricot scent.

Jasmine Tea note image

Jasmine Tea

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

Daiquiri note image

Daiquiri

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

Punch note image

Punch

Fruit juice and alcohol mix. Sweet and party-like.

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.

Moonshine note image

Moonshine

Corn whiskey. Raw, harsh alcohol scent.

Bourbon Whiskey note image

Bourbon Whiskey

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

Curaçao note image

Curaçao

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

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Caipirinha note image

Caipirinha

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

Whiskey note image

Whiskey

Oak barrels, grain, and peat. Warm and boozy.

Sake note image

Sake

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

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

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

Cocktail Fruits note image

Cocktail Fruits

Canned fruit salad. Syrupy, mixed fruitiness.

Mulled Wine note image

Mulled Wine

Red wine, cloves, and orange peel. Warm, spicy, and festive.

Eau de Vie note image

Eau de Vie

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

Madeira note image

Madeira

Fortified wine. Smells oxidized, nutty, and caramelized.

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

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

Beer note image

Beer

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

Batida note image

Batida

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

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.

Antillone™ note image

Antillone™

A synthetic that mimics the smell of pineapple and pear. It is fruity, fresh, and slightly green, adding a juicy splash.

Coral Limestone note image

Coral Limestone

A mineral accord. Smells chalky, marine, and dry.

Hina note image

Hina

Traditional Indian attar (Henna). It smells exotic, spicy, and earthy.

Hand Cream note image

Hand Cream

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

Brown Scotch Tape note image

Brown Scotch Tape

A specific avant-garde note capturing the glue and plastic smell of packing tape. Industrial and weird.

Industrial Glue note image

Industrial Glue

Chemical, solvent-like, and sharp. An avant-garde note for texture.

Wet Plaster note image

Wet Plaster

Chalky and damp. Construction smell.

Paradisone note image

Paradisone

A pure, radiant jasmine note. Like Hedione but stronger.

Prunol note image

Prunol

A famous base smelling of dried plums, cardamom, and aldehydes. Vintage funk.

Mud note image

Mud

Wet earth. Heavy, dirty, and opaque.

Porcelain note image

Porcelain

Cold, smooth mineral note. Evokes fine china.

Muscenone note image

Muscenone

A diffusive musk. Smells powdery and animalic.

Old Books note image

Old Books

Vanillin (from decaying paper) and dust. Sweet and dry.

Sea Water note image

Sea Water

Brine and algae. The smell of the ocean.

Hexyl Acetate note image

Hexyl Acetate

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

Red Bean Paste note image

Red Bean Paste

Azuki bean. Sweet, earthy, and starchy.

Brick note image

Brick

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

Ash note image

Ash

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

Caoutchouc note image

Caoutchouc

Raw rubber. It smells latex-like, green, and industrial.

Hindinol note image

Hindinol

A creamy, woody sandalwood synthetic. Soft and milky.

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.

Eggnog note image

Eggnog

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

Nectar note image

Nectar

Floral sugar water. Sticky and sweet.

Dragee note image

Dragee

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

Honey note image

Honey

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

Candied Orange note image

Candied Orange

Sweet, sticky orange peel. It smells festive, often associated with Christmas cakes.

Baked Apple note image

Baked Apple

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

Halva note image

Halva

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

Brown Sugar note image

Brown Sugar

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

Bonbon note image

Bonbon

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

Agave Nectar note image

Agave Nectar

A warm, honey-like sweetener that is less floral than actual honey. It adds a smooth, golden glaze to a fragrance without being cloying.

Honeycomb note image

Honeycomb

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

Dorayaki note image

Dorayaki

A Japanese pancake filled with red bean paste. It smells sweet, cake-like, and slightly earthy.

Fougassette note image

Fougassette

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

Brownie note image

Brownie

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

Icing Pink note image

Icing Pink

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

Yogurt note image

Yogurt

Fermented milk. Sour and creamy.

Acetyl Furan note image

Acetyl Furan

A powerful synthetic that smells remarkably like balsamic vinegar and burnt sugar. It provides that caramelized, toasted crunch to gourmand scents.

Fresh Cream note image

Fresh Cream

Pure dairy scent. Cool, milky, and mild.

Griotte Cherries note image

Griotte Cherries

Morello cherries. Sour, dark, and often used in baking.

Gummy Candies note image

Gummy Candies

Artificial fruit and gelatin. Playful and sweet.

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.

Pepperwood or Hercules Club note image

Pepperwood or Hercules Club

A spicy, aromatic wood scent.

Buddha Wood note image

Buddha Wood

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

Amaranth note image

Amaranth

An earthy, grainy scent that smells slightly like dry hay or cereal. It adds a wholesome, rustic texture to a fragrance.

Blackwood note image

Blackwood

Also known as Mpingo, it is dense and dry. It provides a solemn, dark woodiness to the base.

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.

Araucaria note image

Araucaria

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

Cherry Tree note image

Cherry Tree

Woody and slightly fruity. It provides a solid base for blossom scents.

Cypress note image

Cypress

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

Apple Tree note image

Apple Tree

A woody note with hints of fruit and sap. It grounds the fruitiness with a solid, bark-like texture.

Beech note image

Beech

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

Clearwood note image

Clearwood

A transparent patchouli note created by fermentation. It smells woody and clean without the dirt.

Cedar note image

Cedar

The smell of fresh pencil shavings or a dry sauna. It provides a sturdy, clean woody backbone that grounds flightier notes.

Bark note image

Bark

The rough, dry outer layer of a tree. It smells earthy and textured, less creamy than the heartwood.

Kowhai note image

Kowhai

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

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

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

Plum Tree note image

Plum Tree

Woody and fruity.

Incienso note image

Incienso

A desert shrub (Encelia) that smells resinous and pine-like. It is pungent and aromatic.

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

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

Hiba note image

Hiba

A Japanese cypress. It smells intensely woody, cedar-like, and citrusy.

Mesquite note image

Mesquite

Smoky, BBQ-like wood. Intense and savory.

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.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

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.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Datura note image

Datura

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

Lily note image

Lily

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

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.

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.

Fo Ti (Ho Shou Wu) note image

Fo Ti (Ho Shou Wu)

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

Blackberry Leaf note image

Blackberry Leaf

Green, earthy, and slightly tart. It smells like the bush rather than the berry, adding a natural roughness.

Garlic note image

Garlic

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

Sideritis Mountain Tea note image

Sideritis Mountain Tea

Greek Mountain Tea. Herbal, lemon, and chamomile notes.

Green Pepper note image

Green Pepper

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

Azolla (Water Fern) note image

Azolla (Water Fern)

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

Mugwort note image

Mugwort

Armoise. Bitter, herbal, and thujone-heavy. Smells like vermouth.

Genmaicha note image

Genmaicha

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

Horseweed note image

Horseweed

Erigeron canadensis. Smells herbal and distinctively weedy.

Rooibos Red Tea note image

Rooibos Red Tea

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

Raspberry leaf note image

Raspberry leaf

Herbal tea scent. Green and mild.

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.

Lily-of-the-Valley Leaves note image

Lily-of-the-Valley Leaves

Pure green freshness. It lacks the floral bell note.

Rose Leaf note image

Rose Leaf

Green, slightly thorny smell.

Ginkgo note image

Ginkgo

Green and herbal. The fruit can smell rancid, but the leaves are mild and distinct.

Nettle note image

Nettle

Stinging Nettle. Green, earthy, and metallic.

Satureja note image

Satureja

Savory herb. Peppery and thyme-like.

Roseroot note image

Roseroot

Rhodiola. The root smells like roses.

Green Notes note image

Green Notes

A category for crushed leaves, grass, and stems. Fresh and vibrant.

Yunnan Red Tea note image

Yunnan Red Tea

Black tea. Smoky, malty, and honeyed.

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.

Vanilla note image

Vanilla

The real bean is woody, boozy, and spicy. Not just simple sugar.

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

A Givaudan molecule. Smells of saffron, tobacco, and leather.

Oily Notes note image

Oily Notes

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

Ultravanil™ note image

Ultravanil™

High-impact vanilla synthetic. Non-edible vanilla.

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Tamarind note image

Tamarind

Sour fruit. Acidic and fruity.

Sesame note image

Sesame

Toasted seeds. Nutty, oily, and savory.

Sumac note image

Sumac

Sour red spice. Lemon-like and earthy.

Curry Tree note image

Curry Tree

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

Curry note image

Curry

A blend of spices (cumin, fenugreek). It smells savory and warm.

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

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

Biryani note image

Biryani

A complex mix of savory spices including saffron, cardamom, and rice. It is a gourmand scent, but savory and dinner-like.

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

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

Dill note image

Dill

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Wasabi note image

Wasabi

Horseradish-like heat. Pungent and green.

Water Pepper note image

Water Pepper

Smartweed. Sharp and peppery.

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

View All Spices Notes

Resins And Balsams

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

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.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

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.

Copaiba Balm note image

Copaiba Balm

A Brazilian resin that is sweet, woody, and slightly peppery. It acts as a fixative.

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

Roasted Sal tree resin. It smells leathery, smoky, and woody.

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

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.

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.

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

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

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

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

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.

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

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.

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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.

Lime note image

Lime

Sharper, drier, and more tropical than lemon. It has a distinct 'cola' nuance.

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Yuzu note image

Yuzu

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

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

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.

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

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.

Lemon Tree note image

Lemon Tree

Woody and leafy notes of the tree, plus the fruit. A full orchard smell.

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

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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.