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'.

Alyssum note image

Alyssum

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

Rose Hip note image

Rose Hip

The fruit of the rose. Tangy, red, and tea-like.

Azteca Lily note image

Azteca Lily

A striking red flower with a scent that is fresh and slightly spicy. It feels vibrant and Central American.

Goldenrod note image

Goldenrod

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

Desert Rose note image

Desert Rose

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

French Marigold note image

French Marigold

Pungent and herbal. It smells stronger and earthier than other marigolds.

Daylily note image

Daylily

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

Fire Lily note image

Fire Lily

A vibrant floral scent, spicy and warm.

Bird cherry note image

Bird cherry

A flowering tree with a scent that is sweet, almond-like, and heady. It smells intense and slightly balsamic.

Fuchsia note image

Fuchsia

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

Campion Flower note image

Campion Flower

A mild wildflower scent. It evokes English hedgerows and countryside.

Great Burnet note image

Great Burnet

A medicinal herb with a cucumber-like freshness.

Forget Me Not note image

Forget Me Not

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

Kiwi blossom note image

Kiwi blossom

A mild floral scent, similar to citrus blossoms but softer.

Costus note image

Costus

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

Bougainvillea note image

Bougainvillea

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

Chinotto blossom note image

Chinotto blossom

The flower of the Myrtle-leaved orange tree. It smells like neroli with a darker twist.

Gladiolus note image

Gladiolus

A faint floral scent. Usually just freshness and green stems.

Grapeflower note image

Grapeflower

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

Hellabore Flower note image

Hellabore Flower

Winter rose. It has a subtle, earthy, and green 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.

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.

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.

Skin note image

Skin

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

Meat note image

Meat

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

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.

Ambergris note image

Ambergris

The gold standard of fixatives, smelling of salty skin and warm ocean air. It possesses a magical ability to make a fragrance shimmer and last forever.

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

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.

Carrot Seeds note image

Carrot Seeds

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

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.

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

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

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Leather note image

Leather

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

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Muscone note image

Muscone

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

Suede note image

Suede

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

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.

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.

Fabric note image

Fabric

The smell of cotton, wool, or linen. Usually a musk accord evoking laundry.

Concrete note image

Concrete

Wet pavement smell. It is mineral, grey, and urban.

Cigarette note image

Cigarette

Unburnt tobacco and paper, or ash. It adds a gritty, noir vibe.

Cashalox note image

Cashalox

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

Lorenox note image

Lorenox

A synthetic woody-amber. It smells leathery and aromatic.

Hexyl Acetate note image

Hexyl Acetate

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

Javanol note image

Javanol

A super-powerful synthetic sandalwood. It smells creamy, metallic, and rosy, and lasts for days.

Ethyl Maltol note image

Ethyl Maltol

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

Magnolan note image

Magnolan

A synthetic smelling of magnolia and geranium. Fresh and grapefruit-like.

Aqual™ note image

Aqual™

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

Cyclopidene note image

Cyclopidene

A synthetic note smelling of tuberose and ylang-ylang. It adds floral power.

Cuban Cigar note image

Cuban Cigar

Fine tobacco leaves. Smells earthy, sweet, and luxurious.

Evernyl note image

Evernyl

A synthetic oakmoss substitute. It smells mossy, dry, and mineral, essential for modern chypres.

Flour note image

Flour

Dusty, starchy, and white. It evokes baking or makeup powder.

Caoutchouc note image

Caoutchouc

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

White Leather note image

White Leather

Clean, soft leather. Less smoky than black leather.

Pearls note image

Pearls

A fantasy texture. Cool, calcium-rich, and smooth.

Lilybelle® note image

Lilybelle®

A biodegradable synthetic Lily of the Valley. Fresh, green, and floral.

CO2 Extracts note image

CO2 Extracts

A method of extraction that produces hyper-realistic scents. They smell exactly like the raw material.

Nympheal™ note image

Nympheal™

A synthetic lily-of-the-valley. Fresh and watery.

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.

Australian Blue Cypress note image

Australian Blue Cypress

A unique cypress oil that is blue in color and smells woody, smoky, and honeyed. It is complex and smoother than pine.

Sawdust note image

Sawdust

Freshly cut wood. Dry and powdery.

Tamboti Wood note image

Tamboti Wood

African Sandalwood. Creamy and spicy.

Thailand Oud note image

Thailand Oud

Often sweeter and softer oud.

Siam note image

Siam

Thai wood. Resinous and warm.

Olive Tree note image

Olive Tree

Woody and oily. Ancient and gnarled.

Malaysian Oud note image

Malaysian Oud

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

Kowhai note image

Kowhai

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

Pepperwood or Hercules Club note image

Pepperwood or Hercules Club

A spicy, aromatic wood scent.

Kyara wood note image

Kyara wood

The highest grade of Oud. It smells complex, spiritual, honeyed, and absolutely priceless.

Pamplewood note image

Pamplewood

A synthetic note blending grapefruit (pamplemousse) and wood. Bitter and fresh.

Takamaka note image

Takamaka

Resinous tropical wood.

Oak note image

Oak

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

Thanaka Wood note image

Thanaka Wood

Burmese cosmetic wood. Sandalwood-like.

Plum Tree note image

Plum Tree

Woody and fruity.

Buddha Wood note image

Buddha Wood

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

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.

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.

Neem note image

Neem

Bitter, garlicky, and nutty. Usually medicinal.

Dreamwood note image

Dreamwood

A sustainable sandalwood alternative from biotechnology. It smells creamy, milky, and warm.

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.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

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.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

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.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

Arum Lily note image

Arum Lily

A fleshy white floral scent that can be slightly animalic. It smells grand and imposing, like a wedding bouquet.

Datura note image

Datura

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Lily note image

Lily

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

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.

Yunnan Red Tea note image

Yunnan Red Tea

Black tea. Smoky, malty, and honeyed.

Cannabis note image

Cannabis

Dank, green, and herbaceous. It adds a rebellious, skunky edge to fragrances.

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.

Carnation Leaves note image

Carnation Leaves

Green and slightly grassy, lacking the clove spice of the flower.

Flouve note image

Flouve

Sweet Vernal Grass. Rich in coumarin, smelling of hay and tobacco.

Green Notes note image

Green Notes

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

Agave note image

Agave

Sweet, green, and succulent with a slight hint of earth. It brings a watery, vegetal freshness reminiscent of aloe but sweeter.

Lapsang Souchong Tea note image

Lapsang Souchong Tea

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

Keemun Tea note image

Keemun Tea

A Chinese black tea with a wine-like, fruity, and smoky aroma.

Blackberry Leaf note image

Blackberry Leaf

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

Chaparral note image

Chaparral

The smell of the desert after rain. Creosote bush releases a distinct tarry, herbal scent.

Cherry Leaf note image

Cherry Leaf

Green and slightly bitter. It smells like the tree rather than the fruit.

Bigarane™ note image

Bigarane™

A synthetic that smells like petitgrain and green leaves. It adds a natural, leafy freshness to citrus accords.

Barley note image

Barley

Cereal-like, roasted, and nutty. It adds a savory, grainy warmth that feels wholesome and comforting.

Cilantro note image

Cilantro

The leaves of coriander. It smells soapy, metallic, and green.

Grass note image

Grass

Freshly cut lawn. Green, sweet, and chlorophyll-heavy.

Crithmum note image

Crithmum

Rock Samphire. It smells aromatic, salty, and like lemon oil.

Green Forest note image

Green Forest

A fantasy accord of pine, moss, and leaves. Fresh and shady.

Snake Plant note image

Snake Plant

Sansevieria. Green and dry.

Wild garlic leaf note image

Wild garlic leaf

Ramsons. Onion-like and green.

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.

Pink Pepper note image

Pink Pepper

Not a true pepper, but a berry. It smells rosy, sparkling, and like gin.

Pimento note image

Pimento

Allspice berry. Clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg rolled into one.

West Indian Bay note image

West Indian Bay

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

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

Mace note image

Mace

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

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Cloves note image

Cloves

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

Pepper note image

Pepper

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

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Mustard Seed note image

Mustard Seed

Pungent and sharp. Adds a biting heat.

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Tonka Bean note image

Tonka Bean

The scent of coumarin—vanilla, almond, hay, and tobacco rolled into one.

Ginger note image

Ginger

Fresh, spicy, and lemony. It adds a fizzy, energetic heat to the top notes.

Chutney note image

Chutney

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

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 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.

Bisabolene note image

Bisabolene

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

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

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

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

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.

Incense note image

Incense

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

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

The concentrated essence of smoke and leather derived from birch. It is intensely phenolic, smelling like a bonfire.

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.

Bakhoor note image

Bakhoor

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

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.

Neroli note image

Neroli

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

Lime note image

Lime

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

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Petitgrain note image

Petitgrain

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

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

May Chang. An shrub that smells intensely like lemon sherbet sweets.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Citron note image

Citron

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

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

Sweeter and less acidic than orange. It smells candy-like and joyous.

Citruses note image

Citruses

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

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.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Citrus Japonica note image

Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart and sweet.

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Candied Lemon note image

Candied Lemon

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

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.