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.
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'.

A plant from Patagonia. Smells honeyed and herbal.

A lily-ylang ylang hybrid note. Clean white floral.

A flower smelling of violet and anise.

Mild floral. Mostly visual.

Huge cactus flower. Smells distinctively of melon.

Pancratium maritimum. Spicy, lily-like white floral.

Powdery, sweet, and candy-like flower. A Victorian favorite.

Cotinus. Leaves smell herbal.

Tiare flowers soaked in coconut oil. The scent of Tahiti.

Peppery flower. Smells green and spicy, like cress.

Oily, nutty, and hay-like.

A synthetic rose-peony note. Diffusive and fruity.

Muguet. A tiny bell flower with a piercingly fresh, soapy green scent. It defines spring.

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

Watery, light, and ethereal. It has a transparent floral quality that feels meditative.

Tecoma stans. Honeyed floral.

Green and waxy.

Sweet Briar Rose. The foliage smells distinctively of green apples.

A mild floral scent with a powdery muskiness.

Matthiola incana. It smells spicy, clove-like, and sweet.
View All Florals NotesThis 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.

Australian bush fruit. Tart, peach-like, and dry.

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

Similar to chestnut, smelling starchy and nutty. It provides a savory, food-like base.

A catch-all for sweet, edible fruit scents. Can range from fresh to jammy.

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

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

Porcini mushrooms. They smell earthy, fleshy, and savory.

Porcini mushroom in Portuguese. Earthy and savory.

Pineapple Guava. It smells distinctively medicinal, minty, and fruity.

Generic mango-pineapple-passionfruit mix.

An ancient fruit eaten when overripe. Smells like spiced apple butter.

Vegetal melon. Mild and green.

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

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

Generic tropical fruit mix.

Small yellow plum. Sweet, honeyed, and fruity.

Green, sweet, and snappy. It smells exactly like cracking open a fresh pod in the garden.

A bright, zesty cherry-like fruit that is more sour than sweet. It adds a high-pitched Vitamin C freshness to fruity fragrances.

Sweet red berry. Often synthetic (candy-like) or green (wild).

Asian Pear. Crisp, watery, and very fresh.
View All Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes NotesThese 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.

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

A sleek, clean ambergris synthetic famously used as a standalone in 'Not A Perfume'. It smells purely of amber and skin.

The French term for suede; it smells softer and more velvety than full leather. It evokes the inside of a luxury handbag.

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

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

An absolute that smells leathery, tar-like, and animalic with amber undertones. It adds a vintage, masculine grit to the base.

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

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

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

Creamy, lactonic, and comforting. It adds a nursery-soft texture.

A synthetic marvel that mimics ambergris but with a drier, woodier crispness. It’s incredibly diffusive and seems to float around the wearer like a transparent veil.

A modern captive molecule that offers a dry, vibrant woody-amber effect. It helps a fragrance lift off the skin and sparkle.

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

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

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

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

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

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

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

A vegan musk molecule with fruity, floral undertones. It brings a soft, soapy cleanliness and exceptional longevity.
View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells NotesWhether 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.

Sweet fortified wine. Fruity, heavy, and aged.

Spiced milky tea. Ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea.

Acetic acid. Sour and pungent.

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

Japanese plum wine. Sweet, sour, and almondy.

A rich, creamy liqueur scent smelling of vanilla, brandy, and custard. It is thick and indulgent, adding a boozy sweetness to the mix.

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

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

Gin and vermouth. Dry, herbal, and alcoholic.

Champagne notes. Yeasty and fizzy.

Turkish anise spirit. Smells of licorice and grapes.

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

Fortified wine. Smells oxidized, nutty, and caramelized.

Acidic dairy. Spoiled note.

Melon liqueur. Sweet, green, and artificial.

Gin, vermouth, and Campari. Bitter, herbal, and orange.

Coffee and chocolate. Dark, roasted sweetness.

Bittersweet orange, gentian, and rhubarb notes typical of the Italian aperitif. It brings a sunny, spritz-like joy to the opening.

Alcohol and dairy. Sweet, heavy, and warming.

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

Dust, damp wood, and history. Atmospheric.

Same as above. Retro summer scent.

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

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

Salt water and air. Fresh and bubbly.

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

Cold stone. Mineral and dry.

Resinous cannabis. Sweet, herbal, and balsamic.

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

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

An aldehyde that smells waxy, citrusy, and like clean pine. It smells intensely 'fresh' and soapy.

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

Fresh water, mud, and weeds. Less salty than the sea.

Glossy paper and ink. A specific chemical sweetness.

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

Salty and fermented. Umami richness.

Milk flower or fresh mozzarella. It smells purely lactonic, creamy, and mild.

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

A marketing fantasy note. Usually implies pheromones or something mysterious.

A synthetic note implying relaxation. Likely herbal or ozonic.
View All Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities NotesAn 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.

Thick sugar syrup. Burnt caramel and iron.

Bitter, roasted, and dusty cocoa beans. It adds a sophisticated gourmand edge without the sugar rush of milk chocolate.

Dark chocolate dusted with cocoa powder. It smells sophisticated and powdery.

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

A general note for hard, sugary sweets. It brings a playful, artificial fruitiness.

The classic pink smell of tutti-frutti and sugar. It’s playful, young, and nostalgic.

Nutella. Oily, sweet chocolate nuttiness.

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

Sugar shell and artificial fruit flavor. A playful, childhood scent.

Burnt sugar and brine. Addictive contrast.

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

Fruit ice. Cold and sweet.

Artificial fruit and gelatin. Playful and sweet.

Custard and crust. Sweet citrus bakery scent.

Choux pastry, cream, and chocolate sauce.

Coconut sugar. Caramelized and earthy sweetness.

Chocolate cake and marshmallow cream.

Fruits preserved in sugar. They lose their freshness and become chewy, sweet, and intense.

Sticky, honeyed fruit with a dense, sugary profile. It evokes the warmth and richness of the Middle East.

Rich confection.
View All Gourmand NotesThe 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.

A tropical wood from the Amazon. It smells earthy and dense.

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

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

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

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

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

A green, watery wood scent. It feels fibrous and natural.

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

Woody and sweet. It hints at the syrup but retains a bark-like dryness.

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

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

Chinese root. Pungent and earthy.

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

Spikemoss. Earthy and dry.

The woody aspect of the Argan, smelling dry and sun-baked. It conjures images of Moroccan landscapes.

A gentler, cleaner oud accord.

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

Smoky, BBQ-like wood. Intense and savory.

The wood itself. Earthy and dry.

Woody and slightly fruity. It provides a solid base for blossom scents.
View All Woods & Earth NotesA 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.

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

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

Sweet white floral.

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Floral and honeyed.

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

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

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

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

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

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Like neroli but sharper. Floral with a bitter citrus edge.
View All White Flowers NotesThis 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.

Dark green leaf. Iron-rich and vegetative.

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

A coastal shrub that smells salt-sprayed and woody. It captures the rugged scent of seaside vegetation.

Juniper berries in Portuguese. Piney, resinous, and gin-like, they provide a crisp, aromatic lift.

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

Bitter, green, and resinous. It smells like IPA beer and cannabis.

Distinctly vegetal and savory, bordering on sulfurous. It’s a brave, avant-garde choice for green fragrances.

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

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

A complex mix of bitter, earthy, and aromatic roots. It smells of traditional apothecary shops.

The toothache plant. It smells herbal and creates a tingling, electric sensation.

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

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

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

A Brazilian plant with a spicy, floral aroma. It is rare and exotic.

Gotu Kola. It smells herbal, grassy, and swampy. Popular in skincare scents.

Green and earthy. Less spicy than the wood.

Large, waxy, and vividly green. It smells of humid rainforests and crushed vegetation, fresh and slightly bitter.

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

A terpene that smells minty, camphoraceous, and woody. It feels medicinal and cooling.
View All Botanicals & Aromatics NotesThese 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.

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

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

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

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

Smells like clove and cinnamon combined. It is harsher and greener than the bark.

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

Piper aduncum. Spicy and woody.

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

The raw bean smell—bitter, dusty, and earthy. It is chocolate before the sugar is added.

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

Amomum. Camphorous and spicy.

Chinese cinnamon. It smells hotter, sharper, and woodier than true cinnamon.

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

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

A warm spice rack in a single note, smelling of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined. It feels festive and warming, perfect for winter.

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

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

Schinus molle. Resinous, woody, and peppery.

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

Civet coffee. It smells roasted but with a distinctive animalic, musky undertone.
View All Spices NotesThe 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.

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

A group of resinous materials like benzoin and myrrh that smell warm, sweet, and thick. They wrap a fragrance in a cozy amber blanket.

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

A variant of amber found in the Dominican Republic. In perfume, it usually means an amber accord with aromatic or marine touches.

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

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

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

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

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

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

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

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

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

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

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Incense wood. It smells peppery, resinous, and spiritual, inspired by church incense.
View All Resins And Balsams NotesThe 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

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

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

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

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

Sweet, fruity tobacco smoke. Sticky and aromatic.

Verbena. Lemony and herbal.

Green, decay, and moss. The smell of the woods floor.

Savory taste. Broth-like and salty.

Cereal grain. Smoky (in Baijiu) or sweet (syrup).

A type of narcissus. It smells heady, honeyed, and deep yellow, with a tobacco nuance.

Earthy and sweet tuber.

A tropical lily-like flower. It smells exotic and mild.

Damp air, cold water, and earth. A mood rather than a distinct smell.

Honey-scented flower.

Salty and woody. Evokes swamps and coasts.

Baby Blue Eyes. Very mild floral.
View All Assorted Notes