Celebrating different notes in the perfumery | thescentbase.com

The Olfactory Library

Welcome to the building blocks of the invisible art. If a perfume is a symphony, then these are the individual notes on the sheet music—the singular elements that the perfumer arranges to create a melody that lingers on your skin.


Whether you are here to understand why you adore Vetiver but detest Patchouli, or simply to find out what "Iso E Super" actually is, this library is your guide.

Florals

The undisputed heart of perfumery, ranging from the innocent whisper of a spring muguet to the narcotic, carnal shout of a tuberose. These notes provide the romance and the texture, proving that flowers are far too complex to be considered merely 'pretty'.

Strelitzia note image

Strelitzia

Bird of Paradise. Mostly scentless, fantasy tropical.

Calendula note image

Calendula

Marigold, smelling bitter, green, and slightly herbal. It adds a medicinal but sunny touch.

Jujube Blossom note image

Jujube Blossom

The flower of the red date. It smells small, honeyed, and fruity.

Deadnettle note image

Deadnettle

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

Gerbera note image

Gerbera

A daisy scent that is light, happy, and slightly fruity-green.

Buttercup note image

Buttercup

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

Jade Flower note image

Jade Flower

A succulent vine with a brilliant turquoise color. It has a faint, grassy scent.

Cherry Blossom note image

Cherry Blossom

Sakura. It smells very faint, fresh, and slightly powdery, symbolizing fleeting beauty.

Grevillea note image

Grevillea

Spider Flower. It smells honeyed and nectar-rich.

Crinum Lily note image

Crinum Lily

A large lily with a strong, clean fragrance. It smells soapy and fresh.

Jacaranda note image

Jacaranda

A tree with purple blooms smelling honeyed and green. It feels breezy and exotic.

Orchid Cactus note image

Orchid Cactus

Epiphyllum. Sweet and fresh.

Licorice Flower note image

Licorice Flower

A flower smelling of violet and anise.

Macadamia Flower note image

Macadamia Flower

Sweet and nutty floral.

Honeybush or Cyclopia note image

Honeybush or Cyclopia

A South African plant similar to Rooibos. Smells of honey and dried fruit.

Magnolia Leaf note image

Magnolia Leaf

Green and waxy.

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.

Amarillys note image

Amarillys

A bold, trumpet-shaped flower with a scent that is spicy and fruity. It has a dramatic flair, fitting for a statement perfume.

Cornflower Sultan Seeds note image

Cornflower Sultan Seeds

A mild floral scent with a powdery muskiness.

Celosia note image

Celosia

Also known as Cockscomb. It has a mild, grassy floral scent.

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.

Grains note image

Grains

Wheat, barley, oats. Savory, dusty, and wholesome.

Dried Fruits note image

Dried Fruits

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

Red Apple note image

Red Apple

Sweet, crisp fruit. Less tart than green apple.

Marian Plum note image

Marian Plum

Maprang. A mango-plum hybrid scent.

Ground Cherry note image

Ground Cherry

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

Hazelnut note image

Hazelnut

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

Dried Apricot note image

Dried Apricot

A dense, chewy orange fruit scent. It smells like concentrated sunshine and leather.

Loganberry note image

Loganberry

Raspberry-blackberry hybrid. Tart and juicy.

Pomegranate note image

Pomegranate

Tart, red, and tannic. It smells dry and astringent rather than overly sweet.

Lucuma note image

Lucuma

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

Passionfruit note image

Passionfruit

Maracuja. Tart, sweet, and sulfurous. It smells intense and tropical.

Winterberry note image

Winterberry

Red holly berry. Woody and tart.

Walnut Milk note image

Walnut Milk

Creamy nut scent.

Fig Milk note image

Fig Milk

The white sap of the tree. It smells creamy, woody, and slightly bitter.

Ashberry note image

Ashberry

The fruit of the Rowan tree, smelling tart, bitter, and wild. It adds a sharp, foraging vibe to fruity notes.

Arctic Bramble note image

Arctic Bramble

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

Grape Seed note image

Grape Seed

Oily and mild. Mostly adds texture.

Fig Leaf note image

Fig Leaf

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

Serrano Pepper note image

Serrano Pepper

Hot chili. Green and spicy.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

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

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.

Skatole note image

Skatole

Fecal in high concentration, floral (white flower) in low. Essential for realistic jasmine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

Meat note image

Meat

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

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Animal Notes note image

Animal Notes

A catch-all for smells that are furry, warm, and slightly dirty. They add a carnal, living breath to a perfume that makes it sexy.

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

Ambertonic™ (IFF) note image

Ambertonic™ (IFF)

A modern molecule that is deep, musky, and woody with a dry heat. It gives a fragrance a contemporary, vibrating trail.

BBQ note image

BBQ

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

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

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.

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

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.

Cachaça note image

Cachaça

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

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Mulled Wine note image

Mulled Wine

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

Ice Wine note image

Ice Wine

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

Cream Soda note image

Cream Soda

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

Boozy Notes note image

Boozy Notes

A generic term for alcohol-inspired scents like rum, whiskey, or cognac. They add warmth, sweetness, and intoxication.

Soy Milk note image

Soy Milk

Bean milk. Nutty, vegetal, and creamy.

Vermouth note image

Vermouth

Aromatized wine. Herbal (wormwood) and dry.

Bellini note image

Bellini

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

Batida note image

Batida

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

Cosmopolitan Cocktail note image

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

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

Rhum Agricole note image

Rhum Agricole

Cane juice rum. Grassy, vegetal, and funky.

Martini note image

Martini

Gin and vermouth. Dry, herbal, and alcoholic.

Prosecco note image

Prosecco

Italian sparkling wine. Fruity, fizzy, and dry.

Lemonade note image

Lemonade

Sugary lemon water. It is sweet rather than sour.

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.

Plum Wine note image

Plum Wine

Japanese plum wine. Sweet, sour, and almondy.

Amarula note image

Amarula

A creamy liqueur note from the Marula fruit, smelling of caramel and fruit. It is milky and exotic, evocative of an African sunset.

Port Wine note image

Port Wine

Sweet fortified wine. Fruity, heavy, and aged.

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

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

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.

Ozonic Notes note image

Ozonic Notes

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

Aqual™ note image

Aqual™

A modern aldehyde that smells of fresh water and clean air. It creates a sparkling, lifting effect in the opening.

Boisiris note image

Boisiris

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

Graphite note image

Graphite

Pencil lead. Grey, mineral, and dry wood.

Gasoline note image

Gasoline

Chemical, sweet, and volatile. It adds an industrial, addictive edge.

Azarbre note image

Azarbre

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

Dust note image

Dust

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

Ambrofix™ note image

Ambrofix™

A sustainable version of Ambroxan, smelling dry, piney, and amber-like. It creates a transparent woody aura that feels very 'now'.

Hot Iron note image

Hot Iron

The smell of steam and scorching fabric. Metallic and clean.

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.

Accord Eudora® note image

Accord Eudora®

A proprietary fantasy accord that usually leans sweet and amber-like. It functions as a warm, signature backdrop for modern compositions.

Floratta DNA note image

Floratta DNA

A specific accord from the O Boticário brand. Floral and commercial.

Georgywood note image

Georgywood

A synthetic akin to Iso E Super but woodier and cleaner. It adds a vibrating woody aura.

Apple Shisha Accord note image

Apple Shisha Accord

Sweet apple tobacco smoke, sticky and aromatic. It captures the social atmosphere of a hookah lounge.

Aquozone note image

Aquozone

A marine molecule that smells remarkably like sea breeze and ozone. It gives fragrances a wet, rainy-day feeling.

Parchment note image

Parchment

Dried skin and dust. An antique, dry smell.

Wool note image

Wool

Lanolin and animal hair. Warm and oily.

Dirt note image

Dirt

Damp potting soil or petrichor. It adds a grounding, realistic touch of the garden to florals.

Slate note image

Slate

Black stone. Mineral, chalky, and rainy.

Ethyl Maltol note image

Ethyl Maltol

The smell of cotton candy and burnt sugar. It is the engine behind many blockbuster gourmands.

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.

Toffee note image

Toffee

Caramel and butter. Chewy sweetness.

Cacao Butter note image

Cacao Butter

The fatty richness of white chocolate. It smells creamy, oily, and vanilla-like.

Fougassette note image

Fougassette

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

Gelatin note image

Gelatin

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

French Pastries note image

French Pastries

Butter, sugar, and vanity. A generic gourmand richness.

Dorayaki note image

Dorayaki

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

Baked Pear note image

Baked Pear

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

Cherry Milk note image

Cherry Milk

Creamy fruit scent. It softens the tart cherry with lactonic notes.

Brioche note image

Brioche

Sweet, buttery bread with a distinct egginess. It is rich, fluffy, and gourmand.

Dragee note image

Dragee

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

Bread note image

Bread

The savory, yeasty smell of baked crust. It evokes comfort, bakeries, and simple pleasures.

Cassata Siciliana note image

Cassata Siciliana

Ricotta, candied fruit, and sponge cake. It is a rich, creamy Italian dessert scent.

Banana Bread note image

Banana Bread

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

Dragibus note image

Dragibus

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

Frosting [Glacé] note image

Frosting [Glacé]

Pure sugar and fat. Sweet, vanilla-heavy, and dense.

Donut or Doughnut note image

Donut or Doughnut

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

Custard note image

Custard

Egg yolks, milk, and vanilla. Thick, creamy comfort.

Ice cream note image

Ice cream

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

Cream note image

Cream

Lactonic, smooth, and fatty. It rounds out sharp edges.

Pastiera Napoletana note image

Pastiera Napoletana

Wheat, ricotta, and orange blossom water. An Easter cake scent.

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.

Mahogany note image

Mahogany

A dark, reddish wood scent. Smells dry and polished.

Amburana Wood note image

Amburana Wood

Similar to the bark but woodier, maintaining that rich tonka-bean sweetness. It feels cozy and exotic, like a tropical cabinet maker's shop.

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.

Dark Patchouli note image

Dark Patchouli

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

Dartanol® note image

Dartanol®

A synthetic sandalwood note that is creamy, spicy, and very persistent. It creates a smooth, woody foundation.

Canadian Balsam note image

Canadian Balsam

Balsam Fir resin, smelling piney and sweet. It is the scent of deep northern 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.

Baobab note image

Baobab

The majestic African tree, smelling dry, woody, and slightly fruity. It provides a unique, grand base note.

Dry Wood note image

Dry Wood

A generic term for non-creamy woods like cedar or cypress. It creates a crisp, structured base.

Bamboo note image

Bamboo

Clean, dry, and woody-green. It smells like a Zen garden, offering a structured freshness without being heavy.

Fig tree note image

Fig tree

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

Ho Wood note image

Ho Wood

High in linalool. It smells woody, floral, and fresh, often used as a rosewood substitute.

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

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

Desert Sagebrush note image

Desert Sagebrush

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

Grass Tree note image

Grass Tree

Xanthorrhoea. It creates a resin that smells balsamic and woody.

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

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

Eucalyptus note image

Eucalyptus

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

Cocobolo note image

Cocobolo

A Central American hardwood with a floral, rose-like scent. Rich and spicy.

Carob Tree note image

Carob Tree

Woody and slightly chocolate-like. It adds a dry, sweet earthy nuance.

Cottonwood (Poplar) note image

Cottonwood (Poplar)

Sweet, balsamic, and woody. The buds smell like honey and resin.

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.

Lily note image

Lily

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

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.

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.

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.

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

View All White Flowers Notes

Botanicals & Aromatics

This is the scent of the apothecary’s garden and the gentleman’s barber, full of crushed leaves, bracing mint, and the calming herbaceousness of lavender. These notes cut through heat and heaviness with a savory, green clarity that feels restorative, intelligent, and famously spirited.

Spices

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

Nutmeg note image

Nutmeg

Dry, spicy, and woody. It adds a warm, dusty heat.

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

Dill note image

Dill

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

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Coffee note image

Coffee

Dark, roasted, and energizing, bringing a bitter gourmand edge. It grounds sweetness and adds a restless, urban energy to a scent.

Anise note image

Anise

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

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

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

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

A pepper variety with a camphorous, allspice-like scent. Cooler than black pepper.

Sumac note image

Sumac

Sour red spice. Lemon-like and earthy.

Peppertree note image

Peppertree

Schinus molle. Resinous, woody, and peppery.

Tamarind note image

Tamarind

Sour fruit. Acidic and fruity.

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Oily Notes note image

Oily Notes

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

Spiked Pepper note image

Spiked Pepper

Piper aduncum. Spicy and woody.

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Kaempferia Galanga note image

Kaempferia Galanga

Aromatic ginger. It smells spicy but also dusty and camphorous.

Mace note image

Mace

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

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

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

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.

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

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

Bakhoor note image

Bakhoor

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

Copaiba Balm note image

Copaiba Balm

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

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

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.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

A resin from the Mediterranean. Smells distinctively green, piney, and crisp.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Choya Nakh note image

Choya Nakh

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

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.

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.

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.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

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

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Neroli note image

Neroli

Steam-distilled orange blossom. It smells green, soapy, bitter, and exquisitely fresh.

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

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

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

Sour orange. It smells sharper and more bitter than a sweet orange.

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

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.