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'.

Heliotrope note image

Heliotrope

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

Bougainvillea note image

Bougainvillea

Paper-like flowers with a faint, dry scent. In perfume, it's often a fantasy note of fresh, green florals.

Daylily note image

Daylily

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

Dianthus note image

Dianthus

The botanical name for Carnation and Pinks. It smells spicy (clove-like) and peppery-sweet.

Eustoma | Lisianthus note image

Eustoma | Lisianthus

A gentle, slightly peppery floral scent.

Kangaroo Paw note image

Kangaroo Paw

An Australian flower with a grassy, honey-like scent.

Dried Rose note image

Dried Rose

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

Longoza note image

Longoza

A Madagascan ginger flower. Spicy and floral.

Costus note image

Costus

A root that smells like wet dog, hair, and violet. It is an old-school animalic fixative.

Fuchsia note image

Fuchsia

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

Rangoon Creeper note image

Rangoon Creeper

A vine with flowers that change color. Smells fruity and honeysuckle-like.

Liatrix note image

Liatrix

Same as Liatris. A tobacco-like fougère element.

Narcissus note image

Narcissus

Daffodil. Smells of hay, manure, jasmine, and green stems. Intense and animalic.

Hyssop note image

Hyssop

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

Melissa Flower note image

Melissa Flower

Lemon balm flower. Mildly citrusy.

Grapeflower note image

Grapeflower

The flower of the grape vine. It smells intensely sweet and powdery.

Magnolia Brooklynensis note image

Magnolia Brooklynensis

A specific hybrid. Smells greener.

Milkweeds note image

Milkweeds

Sweet, honeyed floral scent.

Clematis note image

Clematis

A climbing vine with a faint, sweet scent. It's usually a fantasy floral note.

Grevillea note image

Grevillea

Spider Flower. It smells honeyed and nectar-rich.

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.

Ashberry note image

Ashberry

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

Bitter melon note image

Bitter melon

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

Red Currant note image

Red Currant

Acidic, transparent red fruit. Very sour and fresh.

Dewberry note image

Dewberry

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

Chickpeas note image

Chickpeas

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

Grapes note image

Grapes

Sweet and juicy. Can smell like artificial purple candy or realistic fruit.

Gooseberry note image

Gooseberry

Tart, green, and slightly hairy. It adds a sharp, acidic fruitiness.

Cherimoya note image

Cherimoya

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

Ground Cherry note image

Ground Cherry

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

Loganberry note image

Loganberry

Raspberry-blackberry hybrid. Tart and juicy.

Boysenberry note image

Boysenberry

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

Mango note image

Mango

Juicy, tropical, and sulfuric. It has a distinct pine/turpentine nuance that makes it interesting.

Chestnut note image

Chestnut

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

Arctic Bramble note image

Arctic Bramble

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

Plantain note image

Plantain

Starchy banana. Less sweet, more vegetable-like.

Nectarine note image

Nectarine

Peach without the fuzz. Juicy, sweet, and smooth.

Raspberry note image

Raspberry

Sweet, tart, and seedy. It pairs beautifully with leather and oud for a modern edge.

Blueberry note image

Blueberry

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

Carambola (Star Fruit) note image

Carambola (Star Fruit)

Watery, sour-sweet fruit. It adds a crisp, geometric freshness.

Coconut note image

Coconut

Creamy, milky, and unmistakably tropical. It can range from sun-lotion fun to a sophisticated, dry nuttiness depending on the company it keeps.

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.

Bacon note image

Bacon

Smoky, salty, and meaty—a novelty note for the brave. It adds a savory, breakfast-time shock to a composition.

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

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.

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.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

Civettone note image

Civettone

A synthetic musk that replicates the warmth of civet without the cruelty or fecal edge. It is velvety and smooth.

Amber note image

Amber

A fantasy accord that wraps you up like a cashmere throw. It’s warm, resinous, and vanillic, providing a golden glow to the dry-down.

Musk note image

Musk

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

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

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

Coral Reef note image

Coral Reef

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

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

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.

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Suede note image

Suede

Soft leather. Musky, velvety, and skin-like.

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.

Akashic Acord note image

Akashic Acord

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

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.

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.

Vermouth note image

Vermouth

Aromatized wine. Herbal (wormwood) and dry.

Campari note image

Campari

Bitter herbal liqueur. It smells medicinal, citrusy, and red.

Bellini note image

Bellini

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

Gin note image

Gin

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

Eau de Vie note image

Eau de Vie

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

Chinotto note image

Chinotto

Italian soda made from bitter orange. It smells dark, cola-like, and citrusy.

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.

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.

Beer note image

Beer

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

Kava Drink note image

Kava Drink

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

Pear Juice note image

Pear Juice

Sweet nectar. Very sugary and liquid.

Jasmine Tea note image

Jasmine Tea

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

Raki note image

Raki

Turkish anise spirit. Smells of licorice and grapes.

Tokaji Wine note image

Tokaji Wine

Hungarian sweet wine. Honeyed apricot scent.

Boozy Notes note image

Boozy Notes

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

Moscow Mule note image

Moscow Mule

Ginger beer and vodka. Spicy, limey, and cold.

Cappuccino note image

Cappuccino

Coffee with foamed milk. It smells roasted but creamy and comforting.

Pina Colada note image

Pina Colada

Coconut cream, pineapple, and rum. The ultimate holiday scent.

Mulled Wine note image

Mulled Wine

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

Sauce-aroma Baijiu note image

Sauce-aroma Baijiu

Chinese liquor. Savory, soy-sauce-like, and fermented.

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.

Azarbre note image

Azarbre

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

Para-Cresyl Phenyl Acetate note image

Para-Cresyl Phenyl Acetate

A chemical smelling of narcissus, horse manure, and honey. Animalic floral.

Ice note image

Ice

A fantasy note of aldehydes and mint that mimics the sensation of opening a freezer. It smells cold, sharp, and sterile.

Hexyl Acetate note image

Hexyl Acetate

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

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.

Black Leather note image

Black Leather

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

Damascone note image

Damascone

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

Dew Drop note image

Dew Drop

A fantasy note capturing the smell of wet grass at dawn. It is watery, green, and fleeting.

AMBROX® SUPER note image

AMBROX® SUPER

A highly refined version of Ambroxan with greater impact and elegance. It smells of clean skin, mineral salts, and dry woods.

Ethyl Maltol note image

Ethyl Maltol

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

Glass note image

Glass

A fantasy note of transparency. It smells cold, clean, and invisible.

Hashish note image

Hashish

Resinous cannabis. Sweet, herbal, and balsamic.

Fire note image

Fire

Smoky, dry, and hot. It mimics the scent of burning things.

Rain Notes note image

Rain Notes

Water and ozone. Clean and refreshing.

Lip Gloss note image

Lip Gloss

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

Hand Cream note image

Hand Cream

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

Blood note image

Blood

Metallic, salty, and disturbing. It’s an avant-garde note used to create shock or a primal feeling.

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

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

Earth Tincture note image

Earth Tincture

The smell of freshly turned soil. Rich, dark, and full of geosmin.

Lactones note image

Lactones

A group of creamy, fruity molecules. They smell like peaches, coconut, and milk.

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.

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.

Carob Tree note image

Carob Tree

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

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.

Indian Oud note image

Indian Oud

The wildest of ouds, often smelling barnyard-like, leathery, and deeply animalic. It is intense and not for the shy.

Ditax wood note image

Ditax wood

A rare wood from Senegal. It smells dry and slightly fruity.

Guaiac Wood note image

Guaiac Wood

An exotic wood that smells smoky, rubbery, and rose-like. It adds a luxurious depth often described as 'bacon-y'.

Almond tree note image

Almond tree

Focuses on the wood and bark rather than the nut, smelling dry and slightly milky. It offers a solid, comforting base.

Buxus note image

Buxus

Boxwood, smelling green, woody, and slightly urinous (like cat pee). It smells like a formal French garden.

Cherry Tree note image

Cherry Tree

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

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.

Black Spruce note image

Black Spruce

Resinous, piney, and fresh with a hint of camphor. It smells like Christmas trees and cold air.

Fir note image

Fir

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

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.

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos note image

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos

Amazonian cinnamon. It smells spicy and floral, distinct from common cinnamon.

Ho Wood note image

Ho Wood

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

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.

Blonde Woods note image

Blonde Woods

A term for soft, light woods like cashmere wood or cedar. They are smooth, creamy, and unobtrusive.

Bamboo note image

Bamboo

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

Black Hemlock or Tsuga note image

Black Hemlock or Tsuga

A conifer scent that is piney, woody, and slightly fruity. It evokes deep, dark forests.

Cottonwood (Poplar) note image

Cottonwood (Poplar)

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

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.

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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.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

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.

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

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.

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Lily note image

Lily

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

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.

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.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

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.

Earl Grey Tea note image

Earl Grey Tea

Black tea infused with bergamot oil. It is citrusy, tannic, and utterly civilized.

Calamus note image

Calamus

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

Cactus note image

Cactus

Green, watery, and succulent. It evokes the desert after rain, fresh and clean.

Bay Essence note image

Bay Essence

Spicy, medicinal, and warming. It smells of old-school rum splashes and barbershops.

Clary Sage note image

Clary Sage

Herbal, sweet, and tea-like with an amber nuance. It is less medicinal than common sage.

Linaloe Berry note image

Linaloe Berry

Smells woody, floral, and rose-like (high in linalool).

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.

Spearmint note image

Spearmint

Sweeter mint. Like chewing gum.

Satureja note image

Satureja

Savory herb. Peppery and thyme-like.

Coleus note image

Coleus

A plant with colorful leaves and an herbal, camphorous scent. It smells like a greenhouse.

Wild carrot note image

Wild carrot

Queen Anne's Lace. Earthy, rooty, and green.

Red Algae note image

Red Algae

Seaweed. Marine and mineral.

Cedar Roots note image

Cedar Roots

Earthy and woody. It smells dirtier and deeper than the trunk wood.

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves note image

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves

Milk Oolong. It smells naturally buttery and creamy, like steamed milk and green leaves.

Wheat note image

Wheat

Dried grain. Savory and bready.

Angelica Root note image

Angelica Root

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

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.

Tea note image

Tea

Aromatic leaves. Tannic, refreshing, and calming.

Tieguanyin Tea note image

Tieguanyin Tea

Iron Goddess Oolong. Floral orchid scent.

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.

Dill note image

Dill

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Pepper note image

Pepper

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

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.

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.

Licorice note image

Licorice

Sweet, black, and anise-like. It adds a dark, polarizing gourmand twist.

Timur note image

Timur

Nepalese pepper. Smells of grapefruit and passionfruit.

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

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

Oriental Notes note image

Oriental Notes

A genre of resins, spices, and vanilla. Warm, sensual, and heavy.

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Curry note image

Curry

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

Sesame note image

Sesame

Toasted seeds. Nutty, oily, and savory.

Carum note image

Carum

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

Kopi Luwak Coffee note image

Kopi Luwak Coffee

Civet coffee. It smells roasted but with a distinctive animalic, musky undertone.

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

West Indian Bay note image

West Indian Bay

Pimenta racemosa. Clove-like and spicy (Bay Rum).

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.

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.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

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.

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

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.

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.

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.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Styrax note image

Styrax

Sweet, spicy, and leather-like resin. Smells of plastic and balsam.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

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

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.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

Smoky, leathery, and dark. Smells of campfires and ships.

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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.

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Neroli note image

Neroli

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

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Buddha's hand note image

Buddha's hand

A strange citrus fruit smelling of lemon zest and flowers without the juice. It is dry and aromatic.

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Lime note image

Lime

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

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

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.

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-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.