Celebrating different notes in the perfumery | thescentbase.com

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'.

Rangoon Creeper note image

Rangoon Creeper

A vine with flowers that change color. Smells fruity and honeysuckle-like.

Hyacinth note image

Hyacinth

A powerhouse spring flower. It smells oily, green, spicy, and intensely floral.

Chocolate Flower note image

Chocolate Flower

Berlandiera lyrata, a flower that actually smells like cocoa. Nature's gourmand.

Gorse note image

Gorse

A yellow shrub that famously smells of coconut and warm skin. It is the scent of British coastlines.

Christmas Tree or Flame Tree note image

Christmas Tree or Flame Tree

Nuytsia floribunda. It has a honeyed, rooty scent.

Azteca Lily note image

Azteca Lily

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

Daisy note image

Daisy

Green, herbaceous, and mild. It doesn't smell 'floral' in the traditional sense, but rather like a wild, grassy meadow.

Dried Rose note image

Dried Rose

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

Blue Poppy note image

Blue Poppy

A Himalayan flower with a cool, earthy floral scent. It feels rare and mountainous.

Buttercup note image

Buttercup

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

Kudzu note image

Kudzu

The vine that ate the South. The flowers smell remarkably like grape soda.

Fringed Pink note image

Fringed Pink

A type of Dianthus. Spicy, clove-like, and sweet.

Fuchsia note image

Fuchsia

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

Bread Flower note image

Bread Flower

A flower that reputedly smells like baking bread or boiled rice. A rare botanical oddity.

Astragalus note image

Astragalus

An herb used in traditional medicine with a sweet, earthy, root-like smell. It feels grounding and restorative.

Daphne note image

Daphne

A winter bloom with an intoxicating scent of lemon soap and spicy carnation. It is clean yet heady.

Lantana note image

Lantana

A verbena relative. It smells spicy, fruity (like guava), and slightly rough.

Erigeron (Fleabane) note image

Erigeron (Fleabane)

A daisy-like weed with a mild, herbal scent.

Azalea note image

Azalea

A dusty, slightly spicy floral scent. It isn't strongly fragrant in nature, so it's often a fantasy interpretation of the pink blooms.

Gustavia Flower note image

Gustavia Flower

Amazonian Heaven Lotus. It has a sweet, fleshy floral scent.

View All Florals Notes

Fruits, Nuts & Savoury Notes

This is the scent of the orchard and the vegetable patch rather than the patisserie, capturing the crisp snap of an apple or the earthy grit of a carrot. These notes add a mouth-watering texture and vitality, bringing a sense of abundance and natural realism that prevents a fragrance from feeling too abstract.

Sea Buckthorn note image

Sea Buckthorn

Orange berry. Sour, oily, and fruity.

Olive note image

Olive

Oily, green, and savory. Distinctly Mediterranean.

Litchi note image

Litchi

Lychee. Smells remarkably rose-like, aquatic, and sweet.

Grains note image

Grains

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

Cyperus Scariosus note image

Cyperus Scariosus

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

Mango note image

Mango

Juicy, tropical, and sulfuric. It has a distinct pine/turpentine nuance that makes it interesting.

Hazelnut note image

Hazelnut

Woody, milky, and rich. Roasted, it becomes a gourmand praline note.

Greengage note image

Greengage

A green plum. Tart, sweet, and honeyed.

Green Pear note image

Green Pear

Juicy and grainy. It adds a transparent sweetness.

Nashi Pear note image

Nashi Pear

Asian Pear. Crisp, watery, and very fresh.

Dewberry note image

Dewberry

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

Dried Apple Crisp note image

Dried Apple Crisp

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

Quince note image

Quince

A hard, yellow fruit smelling of rose, pear, and lemon. It is incredibly aromatic and tart.

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.

Fuji Apple note image

Fuji Apple

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

Pitahaya note image

Pitahaya

Dragon fruit. Mild, watery, and melon-like.

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

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

Hog Plum note image

Hog Plum

Spondias mombin. A tropical fruit smelling tart and musky.

Bitter melon note image

Bitter melon

Green, watery, and distinctly bitter. It adds a sharp, vegetal crunch that feels healthy and astringent.

Malt note image

Malt

Roasted barley. Smells like beer, whiskey, or ovaltine. Toasty and sweet.

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.

Skin note image

Skin

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

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Civettone note image

Civettone

A synthetic musk that replicates the warmth of civet without the cruelty or fecal edge. It is velvety and smooth.

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

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.

Goat's Milk note image

Goat's Milk

Creamy but slightly tart and animalic. A funky milky note.

Genet note image

Genet

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

Ambroxan note image

Ambroxan

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.

Starfish note image

Starfish

Marine animal. Salty and fleshy.

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.

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

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

Fur note image

Fur

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

Oysters note image

Oysters

Salt water and minerals. A raw marine scent.

Habanolide® note image

Habanolide®

A synthetic musk with a metallic, hot-iron undertone. It smells clean and waxy.

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Leather note image

Leather

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

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.

Meat note image

Meat

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

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.

View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells Notes

Beverages

Whether it is the effervescent joy of champagne, the roasted bitterness of espresso, or the warming embrace of a good cognac, these notes add a distinct 'flavour' to the air. They invoke specific moods and social rituals, taking the wearer from a morning café to a dimly lit jazz bar in a single spritz.

Molecules, Minerals & Curiosities

This is the avant-garde laboratory of the perfumer, featuring everything from the smell of hot rain on asphalt to the invisible radiance of Iso E Super. These notes are often less about a specific 'smell' and more about a texture, a feeling, or an atmospheric vibration that gives modern fragrances their edge.

Fior di Latte note image

Fior di Latte

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

River Notes note image

River Notes

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

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.

Earth Tincture note image

Earth Tincture

The smell of freshly turned soil. Rich, dark, and full of geosmin.

Jeans note image

Jeans

A fantasy scent of denim cloth. Smells of indigo dye, cotton, and starch.

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.

Hair Pomade note image

Hair Pomade

A wax/grease scent. Evokes vintage barbershops and grooming.

Candle Wax note image

Candle Wax

Paraffin or beeswax scent. It smells waxy, fatty, and faintly smoky.

Coumarin note image

Coumarin

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

Graphite note image

Graphite

Pencil lead. Grey, mineral, and dry wood.

Ink note image

Ink

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

Healingwood note image

Healingwood

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

Hivernal® note image

Hivernal®

A fresh, clean aldehyde scent. It evokes cold winter air.

Ambreine note image

Ambreine

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

Cocaine note image

Cocaine

A fantasy accord of chemicals, gasoline, and medicinal notes. It smells sharp, metallic, and illicit.

Aldambre note image

Aldambre

A synthetic molecule that feels dry, woody, and intensely hot. It adds a radiant heat to a fragrance, like sun baking on stone.

Black Diamond note image

Black Diamond

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

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

Smoky, spicy, and vanilla-like chemical. It gives smoked meats and whisky their scent.

Cashmeran note image

Cashmeran

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

Loam note image

Loam

Rich, fertile soil. Smells organic and damp.

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.

Milkshake note image

Milkshake

Ice cream and milk. Vanilla, cold, and sweet.

Canelé note image

Canelé

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

Coconut Powder note image

Coconut Powder

Dry, desiccated coconut. It smells milky but dusty.

Horchata note image

Horchata

Rice milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Creamy and comforting.

Strawberry Syrup note image

Strawberry Syrup

Cooked sugar and artificial fruit.

Ice cream note image

Ice cream

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

Cake note image

Cake

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

Jelly note image

Jelly

Fruit preserves. Sweet, translucent, and wobbly.

Oatmilk note image

Oatmilk

Creamy and grainy. A gentle, wholesome sweetness.

Chocolate Fudge note image

Chocolate Fudge

Dense, sugary chocolate. It is heavy, rich, and cloying.

Marshmallow note image

Marshmallow

Powdery vanilla and sugar. Soft, fluffy, and sweet.

Loukhoum note image

Loukhoum

Turkish Delight. Rosewater, sugar, and almonds. Powdery and sweet.

Molasses note image

Molasses

Thick sugar syrup. Burnt caramel and iron.

Rainbow Sorbet note image

Rainbow Sorbet

Mixed fruit ice. Citrusy, berry-like, and sweet.

Salted Caramel note image

Salted Caramel

Burnt sugar and brine. Addictive contrast.

Cookie Dough note image

Cookie Dough

Raw, sweet, and buttery with vanilla. It evokes childhood baking.

Donut or Doughnut note image

Donut or Doughnut

Fried dough and sugar glaze. It smells oily, sweet, and comforting.

Peanut Butter note image

Peanut Butter

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

Acetyl Furan note image

Acetyl Furan

A powerful synthetic that smells remarkably like balsamic vinegar and burnt sugar. It provides that caramelized, toasted crunch to gourmand scents.

Baked Pear note image

Baked Pear

Sweet, grainy, and warm, like pears poached in syrup. It adds a sophisticated fruit dessert vibe.

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.

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.

Bark note image

Bark

The rough, dry outer layer of a tree. It smells earthy and textured, less creamy than the heartwood.

Dartanol® note image

Dartanol®

A synthetic sandalwood note that is creamy, spicy, and very persistent. It creates a smooth, woody foundation.

Cocobolo note image

Cocobolo

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

Dry Wood note image

Dry Wood

A generic term for non-creamy woods like cedar or cypress. It creates a crisp, structured base.

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.

Carob Tree note image

Carob Tree

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

Bamboo note image

Bamboo

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

Aspen note image

Aspen

A light wood scent that evokes crisp mountain air and trembling leaves. It feels clean and outdoorsy.

Clearwood note image

Clearwood

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

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos note image

Ishpink, Ocotea Quixos

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

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.

Belambra Tree note image

Belambra Tree

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

Cabreuva note image

Cabreuva

A South American wood that smells floral, woody, and spicy. It has a delicate, complex character.

Agarwood (Oud) note image

Agarwood (Oud)

The heavyweight champion of woods, smelling dark, complex, and occasionally barnyard-esque. It adds a profound, resinous depth that demands attention.

Araucaria note image

Araucaria

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

Birch note image

Birch

Smoky and tar-like, evoking the smell of a campfire or well-worn Russian leather. It’s rugged and uncompromising.

Driftwood note image

Driftwood

Sun-bleached wood soaked in sea salt. It smells dry, musky, and oceanic.

Kenya Rosewood note image

Kenya Rosewood

A wood smelling faintly floral and dry.

Alder note image

Alder

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

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.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Lily note image

Lily

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Moon Flower note image

Moon Flower

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

Arum Lily note image

Arum Lily

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

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.

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Belanis note image

Belanis

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

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.

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.

Mace note image

Mace

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

Sumac note image

Sumac

Sour red spice. Lemon-like and earthy.

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

Oriental Notes note image

Oriental Notes

A genre of resins, spices, and vanilla. Warm, sensual, and heavy.

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

A Givaudan molecule. Smells of saffron, tobacco, and leather.

Star Anise note image

Star Anise

Licorice spice. Sweet, medicinal, and herbal.

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Priprioca note image

Priprioca

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

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

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

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Caraway note image

Caraway

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

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.

Green Coffee note image

Green Coffee

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

Water Pepper note image

Water Pepper

Smartweed. Sharp and peppery.

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.

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

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.

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.

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

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

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Birch Tar note image

Birch Tar

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

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

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

Coal Tar note image

Coal Tar

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

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

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.

Choya Nakh note image

Choya Nakh

Roasted seashells. It smells smoky, mineral, and oceanic.

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.

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

A resin that smells of mushrooms, licorice, and earth. It is darker and stranger than frankincense.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

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.

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

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

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Lemon note image

Lemon

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

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.

Limetta note image

Limetta

Sweet Lime. Less acidic than regular lime, more floral.

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Neroli note image

Neroli

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

Bigarade note image

Bigarade

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

Rind Bergamot note image

Rind Bergamot

The zest. Bitter and aromatic.

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

Lemon Tree note image

Lemon Tree

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

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-like.

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

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

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.

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.