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.

Water Fruit note image

Water Fruit

Melon-like freshness.

Fuji Apple note image

Fuji Apple

Crisp and very sweet. It lacks the tartness of a Granny Smith.

Cherimoya note image

Cherimoya

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

Forest Fruits note image

Forest Fruits

Mixed berries—blackberry, raspberry, blueberry. Juicy and dark.

Barberry note image

Barberry

A tart red berry that is acidic and sharp. It cuts through sweetness like a little red knife.

Feijoa Fruit note image

Feijoa Fruit

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

Greengage note image

Greengage

A green plum. Tart, sweet, and honeyed.

Artichoke note image

Artichoke

Vegetal, green, and slightly earthy. It is an unusual note that adds a savory, culinary twist to niche scents.

Argan note image

Argan

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

Serrano Pepper note image

Serrano Pepper

Hot chili. Green and spicy.

Sea Buckthorn note image

Sea Buckthorn

Orange berry. Sour, oily, and fruity.

Tropicalone note image

Tropicalone

Synthetic fruit note. Pineapple-like.

Pear note image

Pear

Grainy, watery, and sweet. It feels crisper and less fuzzy than peach.

Mulberry note image

Mulberry

Sweet, dark berry scent. Like a mild blackberry.

Strawberry note image

Strawberry

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

Ground Cherry note image

Ground Cherry

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

Fruit Salad note image

Fruit Salad

A mix of generic fruity notes. Sweet, watery, and indistinguishable.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

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

Frosted Berries note image

Frosted Berries

Berries with a cold, icy aspect. Sugary and sharp.

Fig Leaf note image

Fig Leaf

Bitter, green, and coconutty. It brings a sharp, realistic snap of greenery.

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.

Fur note image

Fur

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

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.

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

Beeswax note image

Beeswax

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

Skin note image

Skin

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

Sylkolide note image

Sylkolide

A refined musk. Fruity and powdery.

Genet note image

Genet

Broom flower. It smells honeyed, hay-like, and slightly tobacco-ish.

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.

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Musk note image

Musk

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

Velvione™ note image

Velvione™

Powdery musk. Similar to Ambrette.

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Caviar note image

Caviar

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

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leather note image

Leather

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

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.

Génépi note image

Génépi

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

Campari note image

Campari

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

Advocaat note image

Advocaat

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

Cappuccino note image

Cappuccino

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

Calvados Drink note image

Calvados Drink

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

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

Espresso note image

Espresso

Concentrated, bitter coffee. Dark, roasted, and intense.

Beer note image

Beer

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

Bohea (Wuyi Tea) note image

Bohea (Wuyi Tea)

A smoky, oxidized oolong tea. It smells woody, roasted, and sophisticated.

Sake note image

Sake

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

Pear Juice note image

Pear Juice

Sweet nectar. Very sugary and liquid.

Cherry Liqueur note image

Cherry Liqueur

Boozy, sweet cherry. It adds a dark, cocktail vibe.

Baileys Irish Cream note image

Baileys Irish Cream

Cream, cocoa, and whiskey notes blended into a rich liqueur. It creates a smooth, lactonic booziness that is very cozy.

Batida note image

Batida

A Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça and fruit juice. It smells sweet, boozy, and tropical—a party in a bottle.

Lemon Soda note image

Lemon Soda

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

Vermouth note image

Vermouth

Aromatized wine. Herbal (wormwood) and dry.

Tokaji Wine note image

Tokaji Wine

Hungarian sweet wine. Honeyed apricot scent.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail note image

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Vodka, cranberry, and lime. Tart, fruity, and energetic.

Mezcal note image

Mezcal

Smoky tequila. Agave, smoke, and earth.

Sparkling Wine note image

Sparkling Wine

Champagne notes. Yeasty and fizzy.

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.

Red Bean Paste note image

Red Bean Paste

Azuki bean. Sweet, earthy, and starchy.

Galaxolide note image

Galaxolide

The quintessential 'clean laundry' musk. It is floral, woody, and intensely soapy.

Ice note image

Ice

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

Brown Scotch Tape note image

Brown Scotch Tape

A specific avant-garde note capturing the glue and plastic smell of packing tape. Industrial and weird.

Coumarin note image

Coumarin

The primary scent of Tonka Bean. Smells like hay, almond, and vanilla.

Chalk note image

Chalk

Dry, powdery, and mineral. It evokes classrooms and cliffs.

Accord Eudora® note image

Accord Eudora®

A proprietary fantasy accord that usually leans sweet and amber-like. It functions as a warm, signature backdrop for modern compositions.

Brick note image

Brick

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

Hedione note image

Hedione

A transparent jasmine note that smells like fresh air. It makes other notes sparkle and project.

Bourgeonal note image

Bourgeonal

A synthetic smelling of Lily of the Valley with a watery freshness. It’s powerful and diffusive.

Eugenol note image

Eugenol

The main component of clove oil. Smells spicy, warm, and medicinal (like a dentist's office).

Diving Suit note image

Diving Suit

Neoprene and salt water. A synthetic note for avant-garde marine scents.

Slate note image

Slate

Black stone. Mineral, chalky, and rainy.

Money note image

Money

Cotton paper, ink, and metal. The smell of cash.

Boisiris note image

Boisiris

A synthetic that bridges wood and iris. It smells dry, woody, and slightly powdery.

Healingwood note image

Healingwood

A patchouli-based synthetic. It smells woody, lactonic, and clean.

Mud note image

Mud

Wet earth. Heavy, dirty, and opaque.

Ozonic Notes note image

Ozonic Notes

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

Orbitone note image

Orbitone

Transparent woody-amber (Iso E Super type). velvety.

Floratta DNA note image

Floratta DNA

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

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.

Sour Cream note image

Sour Cream

Fermented dairy. Tangy and creamy.

Chantilly Cream note image

Chantilly Cream

Sweet whipped cream. It adds a fluffy, airy vanilla sweetness.

Cake note image

Cake

A generic vanilla sponge scent. It represents celebration and sugary comfort.

Cacao Butter note image

Cacao Butter

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

Brioche note image

Brioche

Sweet, buttery bread with a distinct egginess. It is rich, fluffy, and gourmand.

Griotte Cherries note image

Griotte Cherries

Morello cherries. Sour, dark, and often used in baking.

Dark Chocolate note image

Dark Chocolate

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

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.

Cupcake note image

Cupcake

Vanilla cake and frosting. Sweet, young, and fun.

Cream note image

Cream

Lactonic, smooth, and fatty. It rounds out sharp edges.

Candied Orange note image

Candied Orange

Sweet, sticky orange peel. It smells festive, often associated with Christmas cakes.

Custard note image

Custard

Egg yolks, milk, and vanilla. Thick, creamy comfort.

Honey note image

Honey

Sweet, animalic, and golden. It can smell urinous (like civet) or purely sugary depending on the dosage.

Dates note image

Dates

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

Coconut Pie note image

Coconut Pie

Custard, crust, and coconut. Sweet and dessert-like.

Frosting [Glacé] note image

Frosting [Glacé]

Pure sugar and fat. Sweet, vanilla-heavy, and dense.

Brownie note image

Brownie

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

Ice cream note image

Ice cream

Vanilla, sugar, and cold milk. It evokes a creamy, melting sweetness.

Milk Cream note image

Milk Cream

Thick dairy scent. Richer than milk.

Peanut Butter note image

Peanut Butter

Salt, sugar, and roasted nuts. Rich, fatty, and spreadable.

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.

Nootka note image

Nootka

Nootka Cypress. Smells cedar-like and grapefruit-y.

Beech note image

Beech

A light, clean wood scent that is less resinous than pine. It smells like fresh carpentry and forests.

Cocobolo note image

Cocobolo

A Central American hardwood with a floral, rose-like scent. Rich and spicy.

Incienso note image

Incienso

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

Belambra Tree note image

Belambra Tree

A synthetic wood note by Givaudan that smells dry, amber-like, and sophisticated. It adds modern radiance.

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos note image

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos

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

Coffee Tree note image

Coffee Tree

The wood of the plant. Mildly woody with no roasted notes.

Kenya Rosewood note image

Kenya Rosewood

A wood smelling faintly floral and dry.

Hiba note image

Hiba

A Japanese cypress. It smells intensely woody, cedar-like, and citrusy.

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu) note image

Pua Keni Keni (Pua-Lulu)

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

Charred Wood note image

Charred Wood

Burnt timber. Smoky, carbonized, and dark.

White Willow note image

White Willow

Woody and slightly bitter.

Patchouli (Green) note image

Patchouli (Green)

Fresh, leafy patchouli without the fermentation. Cleaner and lighter.

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.

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.

Ravenala note image

Ravenala

Traveler's Palm. Green and woody.

Siam note image

Siam

Thai wood. Resinous and warm.

Cambodian Oud note image

Cambodian Oud

A variety of oud known for being sweeter and fruitier than others. It can smell slightly like dried berries.

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.

Selaginella tamariscina note image

Selaginella tamariscina

Spikemoss. Earthy and dry.

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.

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Datura note image

Datura

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

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.

Portulaca or Pigweed note image

Portulaca or Pigweed

Succulent green weed. Slightly sour.

Citron Leaf note image

Citron Leaf

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

Green Chilli note image

Green Chilli

Vegetal heat. It smells sharp, green, and spicy.

Betel Leaf note image

Betel Leaf

Peppery, green, and slightly medicinal. It has a stimulating aroma popular in Southeast Asia.

Buckwheat Tea note image

Buckwheat Tea

Roasted and nutty, with a comforting warmth. It smells savory and toasted.

Caper note image

Caper

Pickled flower buds. They smell salty, vinegary, and green.

Green Sap note image

Green Sap

The liquid lifeblood of a plant. Sticky, green, and slightly bitter.

Green Pepper note image

Green Pepper

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

Huang Lian note image

Huang Lian

Coptis Chinensis. Extremely bitter and earthy herb.

Laurissilva Forest note image

Laurissilva Forest

Laurel forest accord. Humid, green, and spicy.

Melilot or Sweet Clover note image

Melilot or Sweet Clover

Hay-like and vanillic (coumarin). Sweet and grassy.

Physcool® note image

Physcool®

A cooling agent. It doesn't smell much, but feels cold.

Oolong Tea note image

Oolong Tea

Semi-oxidized tea. Smells floral, woody, and roasted.

Avocado note image

Avocado

Creamy, fatty, and green, with a subtle nutty aroma. It adds a smooth, vegetal texture rather than a strong smell.

Naswar note image

Naswar

Dipping tobacco. Pungent, green, and earthy.

Marigold note image

Marigold

Tagetes. Fruity (apple-like), green, and bitter. A sunny but sharp floral.

Jambu note image

Jambu

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

Posidonia note image

Posidonia

Seagrass. Smells oceanic and green.

Chinese Medicinal Herbs note image

Chinese Medicinal Herbs

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

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves note image

Jin Xuan Tea Leaves

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

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.

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Pimento Seeds note image

Pimento Seeds

Peppery and dry.

Galanga note image

Galanga

Galangal (Thai Ginger). Smells like ginger but more citrusy, piney, and medicinal.

Allspice note image

Allspice

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

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.

Carum note image

Carum

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

Coffee Tincture note image

Coffee Tincture

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

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Chutney note image

Chutney

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

Anise note image

Anise

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

Pink Pepper note image

Pink Pepper

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

Priprioca note image

Priprioca

A Brazilian root. Smells woody, spicy, and grassy.

Dill note image

Dill

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

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

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

Vanilla note image

Vanilla

The real bean is woody, boozy, and spicy. Not just simple sugar.

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.

Copal note image

Copal

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

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

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

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.

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

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

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

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.

Incense note image

Incense

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

Japanese Incense note image

Japanese Incense

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

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.

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.

Poplar (Populus) Buds note image

Poplar (Populus) Buds

Sticky buds smelling of balsam, honey, and propolis.

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

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

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.

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Red Mandarin note image

Red Mandarin

The sweetest mandarin oil. Floral and candy-like.

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.

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

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

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

The oil from the peel. Bitter, shiny, and photorealistic.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Citrus Japonica note image

Citrus Japonica

Kumquat. It smells tart and sweet.

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Buddha's hand note image

Buddha's hand

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

Citrus Water note image

Citrus Water

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

Petitgrain note image

Petitgrain

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

Candied Lemon note image

Candied Lemon

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

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

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.