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'.

Coconut Blossom note image

Coconut Blossom

Floral and slightly waxy. It hints at the fruit but is airier.

Hoary Stock note image

Hoary Stock

Matthiola incana. It smells spicy, clove-like, and sweet.

Blue Lilies note image

Blue Lilies

Also known as Blue Lotus, it smells floral, aquatic, and slightly spicy. It has a sacred, tranquil quality.

Aglaia note image

Aglaia

A tiny yellow flower that packs a fruity, tea-like punch. It smells surprisingly lemon-like with a spicy undertone.

Dried Rose note image

Dried Rose

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

Buttercup note image

Buttercup

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

Chrysanthemum note image

Chrysanthemum

Bitter, green, and herbaceous floral. It smells autumnal and somber.

Hortensia note image

Hortensia

Hydrangea. Very subtle scent, mostly green and watery.

Apricot Blossom note image

Apricot Blossom

Light and airy floral with a whisper of stone fruit. It adds a delicate spring touch to perfumes.

Encian note image

Encian

Gentian. It smells bitter, earthy, and herbal.

Hibiscus note image

Hibiscus

A fantasy note, as the flower has little scent. Usually rendered as musky, red, and slightly sour.

Clover note image

Clover

Sweet, grassy, and hay-like. It evokes open fields and country air.

Coffee Blossom note image

Coffee Blossom

A white flower that smells like jasmine with a coffee nuance. Rare and beautiful.

Fire Lily note image

Fire Lily

A vibrant floral scent, spicy and warm.

Larkspur note image

Larkspur

Delphinium. A mild, clean floral scent.

Lady Slipper Orchid note image

Lady Slipper Orchid

A mild, sweet floral scent.

Edelweiss note image

Edelweiss

A rare mountain flower with a woolly, slightly floral scent. It evokes high altitudes and cold air.

Hollyhock note image

Hollyhock

Very mild floral scent. Mostly used for a cottage garden vibe.

Dove Tree note image

Dove Tree

The Handkerchief Tree. It has a light, incense-like floral aroma.

Eglantine Rose note image

Eglantine Rose

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

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.

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.

Roasted Nuts note image

Roasted Nuts

Toasted oils. Warm and savory.

Dried Apple Crisp note image

Dried Apple Crisp

Concentrated apple sweetness with a dusty, dehydrated quality. Less juicy, more intensely fruity.

Green Anjou Pears note image

Green Anjou Pears

Crisp and watery pear. Less sweet than other varieties.

Grape Seed note image

Grape Seed

Oily and mild. Mostly adds texture.

Dried Apricot note image

Dried Apricot

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

Grapes note image

Grapes

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

Banana note image

Banana

Creamy, sweet, and tropical. Depending on the use, it can smell like artificial candy or a lush, green jungle plant.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

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

Acai Berry note image

Acai Berry

A sharp, tart berry scent with a hint of dark chocolate bitterness. It smells vibrant and healthy, like a morning smoothie for the nose.

Grains note image

Grains

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

Akebia fruit note image

Akebia fruit

A unique fruit scent that blends chocolate notes with coconut and pear. It is an exotic, milky-fruity smell that is quite rare.

Lucuma note image

Lucuma

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

Guava note image

Guava

Pungent tropical fruit. It smells musky, sweet, and faintly of cat pee (in a characteristic way).

Melon note image

Melon

Sweet, watery, and aquatic. Can smell like Calone.

Ashberry note image

Ashberry

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

Prickly Pear note image

Prickly Pear

Cactus fruit. Watery, sweet, and melon-like.

Green Grape note image

Green Grape

Tart and crisp. Less sugary than purple grapes.

Acerola note image

Acerola

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

Apple note image

Apple

Crisp, juicy, and refreshingly innocent. It brings a bright, shampoo-fresh crunch that cuts through heavier notes.

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.

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

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.

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.

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

Civet note image

Civet

Pungent and fecal in isolation, but magically warms up florals when used with a light hand. It creates that lived-in, intimate skin scent found in classic perfumery.

Caviar note image

Caviar

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

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

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.

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

Leather note image

Leather

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

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.

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.

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.

Cetalox note image

Cetalox

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

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

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.

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

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.

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Moonshine note image

Moonshine

Corn whiskey. Raw, harsh alcohol scent.

Lemon Soda note image

Lemon Soda

Sprite/7-Up scent. Fizzy, lime-lemon, and artificial.

Syrup note image

Syrup

Sugar water. Thick and sweet.

Boozy Notes note image

Boozy Notes

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

Root Beer note image

Root Beer

Sassafras and wintergreen. Medicinal and sweet.

Margarita note image

Margarita

Lime and salt. Zesty and savory.

Gin note image

Gin

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

Cream Liqueur note image

Cream Liqueur

Alcohol and dairy. Sweet, heavy, and warming.

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

Pink champagne. It smells fizzy like regular champagne but with added berry sweetness.

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.

Sake note image

Sake

Rice wine. Yeasty, fruity (melon-like), and mild.

Midori note image

Midori

Melon liqueur. Sweet, green, and artificial.

Blackcurrant Juice note image

Blackcurrant Juice

Sweet, syrupy, and intensely fruity. It smells like Ribena, bringing a nostalgic, thirst-quenching vibe.

Applejack note image

Applejack

A boozy apple brandy scent that is warm and fruity. It smells like spiced cider with a kick, perfect for autumn.

Pistachio Liquer note image

Pistachio Liquer

Sweet, nutty alcohol. Dessert in a glass.

Pina Colada note image

Pina Colada

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

Sauce-aroma Baijiu note image

Sauce-aroma Baijiu

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

Soy Milk note image

Soy Milk

Bean milk. Nutty, vegetal, and creamy.

Mai Tai Cocktail note image

Mai Tai Cocktail

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

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.

Lip Gloss note image

Lip Gloss

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

Blood note image

Blood

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

Tomato Sauce note image

Tomato Sauce

Cooked tomatoes. Savory and sweet.

Clarycet note image

Clarycet

A synthetic smelling of sage and fruit. It is herbal and wine-like.

Pharaone® note image

Pharaone®

A synthetic smelling of pineapple and galbanum. Green fruit.

Coral Limestone note image

Coral Limestone

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

Brick note image

Brick

The smell of baked clay and dust. It creates a mineral, urban atmosphere.

Melonal note image

Melonal

A synthetic melon smell. Intense, cucumber-like, and fresh.

Cashmeran note image

Cashmeran

A complex synthetic smelling of wet concrete, musk, and spicy wood. It feels like wrapping yourself in wool.

Crustaceans note image

Crustaceans

Shellfish smell. Salty, oceanic, and savory.

Mineral Notes note image

Mineral Notes

Stone, salt, and flint. Cold and inorganic.

Copper note image

Copper

A metallic smell, warm and slightly sweet/bloody. It smells like loose change.

Muscenone note image

Muscenone

A diffusive musk. Smells powdery and animalic.

Magnolan note image

Magnolan

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

Ink note image

Ink

Smells of metallic salts, charcoal, and damp wood. It evokes melancholy letters and calligraphy.

Orcanox™ note image

Orcanox™

Ambroxan variant. Woody, ambery, and clean.

Old House note image

Old House

Dust, damp wood, and history. Atmospheric.

Paper note image

Paper

Dry, woody, and vanilla-like (lignin). Smells of libraries.

Pearadise® note image

Pearadise®

A sustainable pear synthetic. Intense, fruity, and sparkling.

NaturalCalm™ note image

NaturalCalm™

A synthetic note implying relaxation. Likely herbal or ozonic.

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.

Blonde Woods note image

Blonde Woods

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

Ravensara note image

Ravensara

Aromatic oil from Madagascar. Smells camphorous, spicy, and clove-like.

Clearwood note image

Clearwood

A transparent patchouli note created by fermentation. It smells woody and clean without the dirt.

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.

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.

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'.

Peach Tree note image

Peach Tree

Woody and slightly sappy.

Ducke note image

Ducke

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

Incienso note image

Incienso

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

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

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

Black Spruce note image

Black Spruce

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

Himalayan Cedar note image

Himalayan Cedar

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

Olive Tree note image

Olive Tree

Woody and oily. Ancient and gnarled.

Coconut Tree note image

Coconut Tree

The woody trunk scent. Dry, fibrous, and slightly salty.

Chalood Bark note image

Chalood Bark

A Thai bark used in perfumes. It smells woody, sweet, and spicy.

Mulberry plant note image

Mulberry plant

Green and woody.

Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha note image

Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha

An Indian marsh plant root that smells woody, earthy, and smoked. It is often used as a substitute or companion to Oud.

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Argan Tree note image

Argan Tree

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

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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.

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

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.

Datura note image

Datura

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

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.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Arum Lily note image

Arum Lily

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

View All White Flowers Notes

Botanicals & Aromatics

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

Burdock note image

Burdock

Earthy, woody, and slightly bitter root scent. It feels medicinal and grounding.

Stems Greens note image

Stems Greens

Cut plant stalks. Sap and chlorophyll.

Bran note image

Bran

The scent of grain husks, smelling dry, nutty, and cereal-like. It adds a rustic texture.

Juniper note image

Juniper

The smell of gin. Piney, peppery, and crisp, it adds a cold freshness.

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.

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves note image

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves

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

Ginseng note image

Ginseng

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

Carnation Leaves note image

Carnation Leaves

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

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.

Genmaicha note image

Genmaicha

Green tea with roasted brown rice. Smells grassy and toasty/popcorn-like.

Citron Leaf note image

Citron Leaf

Green and citrusy. It adds a leafy freshness to citrus blends.

Calycanthus note image

Calycanthus

Also known as Carolina Allspice, smelling of strawberry, pineapple, and spice. It is a fruity-floral shrub.

Ma-Kwaen note image

Ma-Kwaen

A Thai spice (Zanthoxylum). Citrusy and woody pepper.

Rose Leaf note image

Rose Leaf

Green, slightly thorny smell.

Lantana leaf note image

Lantana leaf

Pungent, herbal, and woody. Some find it refreshing; others find it catty.

Pennyroyal note image

Pennyroyal

A pungent mint relative. Herbal, sharp, and medicinal.

Oat note image

Oat

Cereal scent. Mild, milky, and hay-like.

Parsley note image

Parsley

Herbal, green, and sharp. It adds a garden-fresh snap.

Laurissilva Forest note image

Laurissilva Forest

Laurel forest accord. Humid, green, and spicy.

Beachheather note image

Beachheather

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

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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.

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.

Cassia note image

Cassia

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

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.

Chutney note image

Chutney

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

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

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

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

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

Curry note image

Curry

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

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Cinnamon Leaf note image

Cinnamon Leaf

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

Cacao Pod note image

Cacao Pod

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

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Clove Leaf note image

Clove Leaf

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Coffee Tincture note image

Coffee Tincture

Alcohol infusion of coffee. Smells lighter and boozier than the absolute.

Ginger note image

Ginger

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

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.

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.

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.

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

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

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.

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

Lemony, piney, and cold. It smells of high church mass and ancient rituals.

Copaiba Balm note image

Copaiba Balm

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

Copal note image

Copal

A resin used in incense in Mexico. It smells bright, lemony, and piney.

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.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

Roasted Sal tree resin. It smells leathery, smoky, and woody.

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

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.

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

Sweet Myrrh. Smells like toffee, balsam, and mushrooms.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

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.

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.

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Quenepa note image

Quenepa

Spanish Lime. Sour and jelly-like fruit.

Citruses note image

Citruses

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

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

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

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Perfume lemon note image

Perfume lemon

A specific aromatic lemon variety. Intense zest.

Citron note image

Citron

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

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

Yuzu note image

Yuzu

Japanese grapefruit. A complex mix of lime, mandarin, and pine. Bitter and aromatic.

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.

Pomelo note image

Pomelo

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

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

Diluted citrus scent. It smells faint, clean, and splashy.

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Citrus Japonica note image

Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart and sweet.

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

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.