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'.

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.

Lingonberry note image

Lingonberry

Tart Scandinavian berry. Smells acid and bright red.

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

Deeply earthy, sweet, and dirt-like. It smells exactly like damp soil and adds a grounding, rooty quality.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

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

Black Sapote note image

Black Sapote

Also called the 'chocolate pudding fruit,' it smells creamy, sweet, and mild. It adds an exotic custard texture.

Chinese Magnolia note image

Chinese Magnolia

Magnolia fruit rather than flower. It smells spicy and fruity.

Chia Seed note image

Chia Seed

Mild, nutty, and bland. Mostly adds a textural 'health food' vibe.

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.

Cloudberry note image

Cloudberry

A Nordic berry that smells tart, juicy, and slightly creamy. It feels rare and arctic.

Elderberry note image

Elderberry

Tart, juicy, and dark purple. It lacks the sweetness of other berries.

Gooseberry note image

Gooseberry

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

Dark Plum Wu Mei note image

Dark Plum Wu Mei

Smoked, dried plums used in Chinese medicine. It smells sour, smoky, and distinctively savory-fruity.

Black Cherry note image

Black Cherry

Deep, dark, and sweet with an almond-like nuance. It is richer and more mysterious than red cherry.

Black Currant note image

Black Currant

Tart, jammy, and slightly ammoniac—some say 'catty,' I say characterful. It adds a dark, purple richness that is utterly distinctive.

Dewberry note image

Dewberry

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

Argan note image

Argan

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

Burning Cherry note image

Burning Cherry

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

Breadnut note image

Breadnut

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

Tropical Fruits note image

Tropical Fruits

Generic mango-pineapple-passionfruit mix.

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu note image

Cupuaçu, Cupuassu, Copoasu

Amazonian fruit related to cacao. Smells like chocolate and pineapple.

Cyperus Scariosus note image

Cyperus Scariosus

Nagarmotha/Cypriol. Smells woody, earthy, and spicy.

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.

Ambrocenide (Symrise) note image

Ambrocenide (Symrise)

A powerhouse woody-amber synthetic that is extremely long-lasting. It provides a sharp, agarwood-like dryness to the base.

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.

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.

Anthamber™ note image

Anthamber™

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

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.

Tolu Balsam note image

Tolu Balsam

Sweet resin. Cinnamon and vanilla scent.

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.

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.

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

Aldron note image

Aldron

An animalic synthetic that mimics body heat and slight sweat. It adds a lived-in, human sensuality to otherwise sterile scents.

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

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.

Leather note image

Leather

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

Suede note image

Suede

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

Skin note image

Skin

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

Carrot Seeds note image

Carrot Seeds

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

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

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.

Moscow Mule note image

Moscow Mule

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

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

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

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

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

Calvados Drink note image

Calvados Drink

French apple brandy. It smells of warm, fermented apples and oak barrels.

Daiquiri note image

Daiquiri

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

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Plum Liquor note image

Plum Liquor

Sweet, boozy fruit. Like Umeshu.

Sparkling Wine note image

Sparkling Wine

Champagne notes. Yeasty and fizzy.

Hi-Fi note image

Hi-Fi

Orange and vodka cocktail. Citrusy and spirited.

Bellini note image

Bellini

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

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

Tequila, lime, and blue curaçao. It smells salty, citrusy, and neon-sweet.

Lemonade note image

Lemonade

Sugary lemon water. It is sweet rather than sour.

Coca-Cola note image

Coca-Cola

Effervescent and spicy with notes of cinnamon and lime. It brings a playful, nostalgic sweetness that feels decidedly American yet oddly chic.

Cognac note image

Cognac

Aged grape brandy. It smells warm, fruity, woody, and expensive.

Cocktail Fruits note image

Cocktail Fruits

Canned fruit salad. Syrupy, mixed fruitiness.

Mai Tai Cocktail note image

Mai Tai Cocktail

Rum, lime, and orgeat (almond). Tropical, boozy, and sweet.

Red Wine note image

Red Wine

Tannins, grapes, and alcohol. A dark, staining scent.

Rhum Agricole note image

Rhum Agricole

Cane juice rum. Grassy, vegetal, and funky.

Sauce-aroma Baijiu note image

Sauce-aroma Baijiu

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

Pisco Sour Cocktail note image

Pisco Sour Cocktail

Grape brandy, lime, and egg white. Tart and boozy.

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.

Blood note image

Blood

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

Ethyl Maltol note image

Ethyl Maltol

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

Cetonal® note image

Cetonal®

A synthetic ionone smelling of orris, wood, and leather. It adds volume.

Caoutchouc note image

Caoutchouc

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

Hand Cream note image

Hand Cream

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

Coal note image

Coal

Dusty, black, and mineral. It adds a soot-like darkness.

Ambreine note image

Ambreine

The heart of labdanum, smelling warm, balsamic, and slightly spicy. It creates the classic oriental feel found in many masterpieces.

Coral Limestone note image

Coral Limestone

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

Antillone™ note image

Antillone™

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

Trimofix® note image

Trimofix®

Amber woody fixative. Dry.

Head Space Waterfall note image

Head Space Waterfall

A capture of the air near a waterfall. Wet, ozonic, and clean.

RE Base note image

RE Base

Fragrance base materials. Usually proprietary blends.

Mitti Attar note image

Mitti Attar

Baked earth distilled into sandalwood. The smell of the first rain.

Molasses note image

Molasses

Dark treacle. Smells bitter-sweet, metallic, and deep.

Pebbles note image

Pebbles

Cold stone. Mineral and dry.

Hindinol note image

Hindinol

A creamy, woody sandalwood synthetic. Soft and milky.

Black Diamond note image

Black Diamond

A fantasy marketing note implying luxury, hardness, and coldness. Usually smells mineralic or smoky.

Cobblestone note image

Cobblestone

A fantasy mineral note. It smells of rain on cold stone streets.

Holy Water note image

Holy Water

A fantasy accord of mineral water, stone, and incense. Clean and spiritual.

Operanide note image

Operanide

A powerful woody-amber synthetic. Dry and diffusive.

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.

Brownie note image

Brownie

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

Sour Cream note image

Sour Cream

Fermented dairy. Tangy and creamy.

Cereals note image

Cereals

The smell of breakfast grains. Toasty, comforting, and wheaty.

Croissant note image

Croissant

Butter and baked dough. It evokes a Parisian morning.

Chamallow note image

Chamallow

French marshmallow. Sweet, powdery, and soft.

Eggnog note image

Eggnog

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

Baba (Italian dessert) note image

Baba (Italian dessert)

A yeast cake soaked in rum syrup, smelling boozy and sugary. It’s a sophisticated gourmand treat for adults.

Cone Waffle note image

Cone Waffle

The smell of an ice cream cone. Baked, vanilla-scented batter.

Cosmofruit™ (IFF) note image

Cosmofruit™ (IFF)

A synthetic fruity note smelling of quince and pear. It is diffusive and sweet.

Canelé note image

Canelé

A Bordeaux pastry with rum and vanilla. It smells caramelized, custardy, and boozy.

Dragee note image

Dragee

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

Bubbaloo note image

Bubbaloo

A specific brand of liquid-filled gum. Smells intensely synthetic, fruity, and sweet.

Jellybean note image

Jellybean

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

Pancake note image

Pancake

Batter and maple syrup. Warm and breakfast-like.

Panna Cotta note image

Panna Cotta

Cooked cream. Smooth, vanilla-heavy, and mild.

Cacao Butter note image

Cacao Butter

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

Churros note image

Churros

Fried dough and cinnamon sugar. It is greasy, sweet, and comforting.

Buttercream note image

Buttercream

Sugar and fat whipped together. It smells like frosting—vanillic, sweet, and heavy.

Maraschino Cherry note image

Maraschino Cherry

Bright red, almondy, and artificial. The smell of a cocktail garnish.

Nectar note image

Nectar

Floral sugar water. Sticky and sweet.

View All Gourmand Notes

Woods & Earth

The stoic backbone of fragrance, grounding the flightier notes with the scent of ancient trunks, dry bark, and the damp, shadowed floor of the forest. Ranging from the creamy spirituality of sandalwood to the dry, pencil-shaving snap of cedar, these notes provide structure, longevity, and a timeless elegance.

Grass Tree note image

Grass Tree

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

Eucalyptus note image

Eucalyptus

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

Mesquite Wood note image

Mesquite Wood

The wood itself. Earthy and dry.

Mahogany note image

Mahogany

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

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu) note image

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu)

Hawaiian flower. Smells rich, creamy, and tuberose-like.

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

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

Lichen note image

Lichen

Dry, crusty, and mineral-smelling. Similar to moss but drier.

Maple note image

Maple

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

Larch note image

Larch

A conifer scent. Resinous, turpentine-like, and fresh.

Manuka note image

Manuka

New Zealand Tea Tree. Honeyed, earthy, and aromatic.

Incienso note image

Incienso

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

Carob Tree note image

Carob Tree

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

Brazilian Rosewood note image

Brazilian Rosewood

Also known as Bois de Rose, it smells sweet, woody, and floral. It is elegant and highly endangered, so often synthetic now.

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.

Cottonwood (Poplar) note image

Cottonwood (Poplar)

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

Malaysian Oud note image

Malaysian Oud

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

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.

Palisander Rosewood note image

Palisander Rosewood

A high-quality wood smelling floral, spicy, and woody.

Massoia note image

Massoia

A bark smelling of coconut, dried milk, and wood. Extremely lactonic.

Mesquite note image

Mesquite

Smoky, BBQ-like wood. Intense and savory.

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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.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

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.

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.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

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.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

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.

Khella note image

Khella

Ammi Visnaga. It smells earthy and herbal.

Purslane note image

Purslane

Green succulent. Crisp and slightly sour.

Ginseng note image

Ginseng

Bitter, earthy root scent. It smells medicinal and vital.

Fern note image

Fern

A fantasy scent of green forest floors. Soapy, shady, and cool.

Behini Tree note image

Behini Tree

A rare Malagasy tree with a green, woody aroma. It smells exotic and unfamiliar to Western noses.

Calamus note image

Calamus

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

Galbanum note image

Galbanum

Intensely bitter green resin. It smells like snapped pea pods and green peppers—sharp and bracing.

Celery note image

Celery

Green, watery, and slightly spicy. It adds a savory vegetable freshness.

Hops note image

Hops

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

Basil note image

Basil

Peppery and green, like crushing fresh leaves between your fingers. It adds a savory, aromatic zing that feels brilliantly Italian.

Grape Leaves note image

Grape Leaves

Green and slightly tannic. It evokes vineyards and dolmas.

Chicory note image

Chicory

Roasted root often used as a coffee substitute. It smells woody and caramel-like.

Blackberry Leaf note image

Blackberry Leaf

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

Jambu note image

Jambu

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

Angelica note image

Angelica

Green, musky, and peppery with a unique herbal bite. It adds a crisp, natural sophistication that feels botanical and fresh.

Jatamansi or Spikenard note image

Jatamansi or Spikenard

A Himalayan root with a heavy, earthy, musky scent. It feels ancient and spiritual.

Aloe Vera note image

Aloe Vera

Green, watery, and cool, with a slight vegetative bitterness. It creates a soothing, spa-like atmosphere in a scent.

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.

Centella Asiatica note image

Centella Asiatica

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

Lovage Root note image

Lovage Root

Smells distinctively like celery and Maggi seasoning. Very savory.

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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.

Saffron note image

Saffron

Red gold. It smells leathery, metallic, and medicinal. The most expensive spice in the world.

Tonka Bean note image

Tonka Bean

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

Nutmeg note image

Nutmeg

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

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

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.

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Cassia note image

Cassia

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

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

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

Spiked Pepper note image

Spiked Pepper

Piper aduncum. Spicy and woody.

Biryani note image

Biryani

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

Siam Cardamom note image

Siam Cardamom

Amomum. Camphorous and spicy.

Pink Pepper note image

Pink Pepper

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

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

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

Peppertree note image

Peppertree

Schinus molle. Resinous, woody, and peppery.

Wan Sao Lhong note image

Wan Sao Lhong

Thai herb. Spicy and aromatic.

Curry Tree note image

Curry Tree

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

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.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

Copaiba Balm note image

Copaiba Balm

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

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.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

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

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.

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

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.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

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

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Andiroba note image

Andiroba

An oil from the Amazon that smells woody, nutty, and slightly bitter. It adds a wild, unpolished texture to a fragrance.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

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.

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-like.

Neroli note image

Neroli

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

Mandora note image

Mandora

A cross between mandarin and orange. Juicy and sweet.

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

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

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

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

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.

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

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.