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.

Green Anjou Pears note image

Green Anjou Pears

Crisp and watery pear. Less sweet than other varieties.

Pinot Noir Grapes note image

Pinot Noir Grapes

Wine grapes. Sweet, tannic, and dark.

Pear note image

Pear

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

Gariguette Strawberry note image

Gariguette Strawberry

A coveted French strawberry. It smells intensely aromatic and sweet-tart.

Daikon Radish note image

Daikon Radish

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

Green Pear note image

Green Pear

Juicy and grainy. It adds a transparent sweetness.

Soursop note image

Soursop

Guanabana. Creamy, pineapple-strawberry flavor.

Elderberry note image

Elderberry

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

Apple Juice note image

Apple Juice

Sweet, golden, and concentrated, lacking the tart skin of the fresh fruit. It adds a sugary, nostalgic fruitiness.

Pomegranate note image

Pomegranate

Tart, red, and tannic. It smells dry and astringent rather than overly sweet.

Nectarine note image

Nectarine

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

Peanut note image

Peanut

Earthy, oily, and roasted. A savory gourmand note that is distinctively leguminous.

Litchi note image

Litchi

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

Quince note image

Quince

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

Forest Fruits note image

Forest Fruits

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

Potato note image

Potato

Earthy, starch, and raw skin. A root vegetable scent.

Nutty Notes note image

Nutty Notes

A generic savory/oily note. Almond, walnut, or hazelnut nuances.

Pitanga note image

Pitanga

Surinam Cherry. Tart, red, and tropical.

Dried Apricot note image

Dried Apricot

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

Prickly Pear note image

Prickly Pear

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

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.

Ambrarome note image

Ambrarome

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

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Hyraceum note image

Hyraceum

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

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Civettone note image

Civettone

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

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.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

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.

Kyphi note image

Kyphi

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

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.

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.

BBQ note image

BBQ

Smoky, savory, and charred. It evokes open fires and grilled meat—a bold, atmospheric choice.

Leather note image

Leather

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

Muscone note image

Muscone

The main component of natural deer musk. Smells warm, erotic, and radiant.

Coral Reef note image

Coral Reef

A fantasy marine note. Salt water, minerals, and life.

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

Truffle note image

Truffle

Fungus not chocolate. Earthy, musky, and savory.

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.

Aperol note image

Aperol

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

Wine Lees note image

Wine Lees

Fermentation sediment. Yeasty and fruity.

Vermouth note image

Vermouth

Aromatized wine. Herbal (wormwood) and dry.

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Pisco Sour Cocktail note image

Pisco Sour Cocktail

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

Sake note image

Sake

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

Root Beer note image

Root Beer

Sassafras and wintergreen. Medicinal and sweet.

Rhum Agricole note image

Rhum Agricole

Cane juice rum. Grassy, vegetal, and funky.

Moscow Mule note image

Moscow Mule

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

Sauce-aroma Baijiu note image

Sauce-aroma Baijiu

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

Mojito note image

Mojito

Mint, lime, rum, and sugar. Fresh and zesty.

Raki note image

Raki

Turkish anise spirit. Smells of licorice and grapes.

Jasmine Tea note image

Jasmine Tea

Green tea infused with jasmine blossoms. It smells steamy, floral, and soothing.

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Rice Water note image

Rice Water

Starchy water. Mild and skin-soothing.

Champagne note image

Champagne

Sparkling and slightly yeasty, capturing the effervescence of a celebration. It adds a dry, fruity fizz that tickles the nose.

Cream Soda note image

Cream Soda

Vanilla, fizzy water, and sugar. It smells frothy and sweet.

Amaretto note image

Amaretto

The distinct aroma of almond liqueur, sweet and slightly bitter with a cherry edge. It is boozy and rich, perfect for evening wear.

Plum Wine note image

Plum Wine

Japanese plum wine. Sweet, sour, and almondy.

Macchiato note image

Macchiato

Espresso 'marked' with milk. Strong coffee with a creamy edge.

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.

Apple Shisha Accord note image

Apple Shisha Accord

Sweet apple tobacco smoke, sticky and aromatic. It captures the social atmosphere of a hookah lounge.

Ammonia note image

Ammonia

Sharp, stinging, and chemical; rarely used as a main note but adds 'lift.' It provides a jarring shock to the opening of avant-garde scents.

Poivrol note image

Poivrol

A synthetic black pepper note. Spicy and woody.

Hot Iron note image

Hot Iron

The smell of steam and scorching fabric. Metallic and clean.

Aquozone note image

Aquozone

A marine molecule that smells remarkably like sea breeze and ozone. It gives fragrances a wet, rainy-day feeling.

Flint note image

Flint

Gunpowder and stone. The smell of sparks striking rock.

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.

Coumarin note image

Coumarin

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

Cashmeran note image

Cashmeran

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

Fabric note image

Fabric

The smell of cotton, wool, or linen. Usually a musk accord evoking laundry.

Earthy Notes note image

Earthy Notes

A general term for smells like patchouli, vetiver, or soil. They provide grounding and depth.

Operanide note image

Operanide

A powerful woody-amber synthetic. Dry and diffusive.

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.

Plastic Bag note image

Plastic Bag

Dry polyethylene. Faint and chemical.

Nail Polish note image

Nail Polish

Acetate and solvent. Fruit-like chemical smell.

Peat note image

Peat

Decaying vegetation and bog earth. Smoky, earthy, and Scotch-like.

Black Diamond note image

Black Diamond

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

Lacquered Wood note image

Lacquered Wood

The smell of varnish and glossy surfaces. Chemical, clean, and woody.

Iodine note image

Iodine

The sharp, medicinal smell of the sea (or a hospital). It gives marine scents their salty bite.

Pearls note image

Pearls

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

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.

Sugar Syrup note image

Sugar Syrup

Liquid glucose. Sticky.

Gummy Candies note image

Gummy Candies

Artificial fruit and gelatin. Playful and sweet.

Chamallow note image

Chamallow

French marshmallow. Sweet, powdery, and soft.

Gingerbread note image

Gingerbread

Warm ginger, molasses, and cinnamon. A cozy holiday gourmand scent.

Bonbon note image

Bonbon

A general term for hard candy. It smells sugary, fruity, and childlike.

Cheesecake note image

Cheesecake

Cream cheese, sugar, and crust. It is tangy, creamy, and heavy.

Cherry Syrup note image

Cherry Syrup

Medicinal and sugary. Often smells like cough syrup.

Churros note image

Churros

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

Burnt Sugar note image

Burnt Sugar

Caramel taken too far—bitter, dark, and smoky. It adds depth to sweet scents.

Fresh Cream note image

Fresh Cream

Pure dairy scent. Cool, milky, and mild.

Cake note image

Cake

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

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.

Gourmand Accord note image

Gourmand Accord

A blend smelling of edible treats—vanilla, caramel, chocolate. Dessert for the nose.

Ice cream note image

Ice cream

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

Apple Licor note image

Apple Licor

A synthetic, candy-sweet apple alcohol note. It’s neon-green and playful, reminiscent of teenage cocktails.

Maple Syrup note image

Maple Syrup

Burnt sugar and fenugreek. Intense, sticky sweetness.

Custard note image

Custard

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

Madeleine note image

Madeleine

Lemon sponge cake. Buttery, citrusy, and Proustian.

Chocolate Truffle note image

Chocolate Truffle

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

Milky Coffee note image

Milky Coffee

Latte. Coffee softened by dairy.

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.

Black Spruce note image

Black Spruce

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

Cascarilla note image

Cascarilla

A bark that smells spicy, woody, and peppery. It adds a dry heat to compositions.

Kenya Rosewood note image

Kenya Rosewood

A wood smelling faintly floral and dry.

Cocobolo note image

Cocobolo

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

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.

Bark note image

Bark

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

Clearwood note image

Clearwood

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

Mulberry plant note image

Mulberry plant

Green and woody.

Takamaka note image

Takamaka

Resinous tropical wood.

Cashmir wood note image

Cashmir wood

A fantasy wood accord that is soft, smooth, and musky. It isn't a real tree.

Mysore Sandalwood note image

Mysore Sandalwood

The gold standard. Milky, buttery, and incredibly smooth. Sadly endangered.

Woody Notes note image

Woody Notes

A general base note. Dry, warm, and structured.

Ducke note image

Ducke

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

Akigalawood note image

Akigalawood

A biotechnology marvel that smells like patchouli cleaned of its dirt. It is spicy, peppery, and woody, feeling very modern and polished.

Charred Wood note image

Charred Wood

Burnt timber. Smoky, carbonized, and dark.

Blonde Woods note image

Blonde Woods

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

Cork note image

Cork

Dry, woody, and light. Smells like a wine stopper or bark.

Sandalore™ note image

Sandalore™

A synthetic sandalwood. Powerful and slightly floral.

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.

Dry Wood note image

Dry Wood

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

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.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

White Tobacco note image

White Tobacco

Nicotiana flower. Sweet and jasmine-like.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

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.

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

Lily note image

Lily

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

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Datura note image

Datura

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

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

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.

Valerian note image

Valerian

Medicinal root. Can smell like dirty socks.

Assam Tea note image

Assam Tea

A robust, malty black tea scent that is dark and tannic. It adds a sophisticated, breakfast-time depth to scents.

Behini Tree note image

Behini Tree

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

Borage note image

Borage

An herb that smells surprisingly like fresh cucumber. It adds a watery, green freshness.

Jambu note image

Jambu

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

Buckwheat Tea note image

Buckwheat Tea

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

Betel Leaf note image

Betel Leaf

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

Jojoba note image

Jojoba

An odorless oil in reality, but in perfume, it represents a nutty, waxy texture.

Bulrush note image

Bulrush

A water reed scent that is green, dry, and slightly vegetative. It evokes ponds and wetlands.

Ivy note image

Ivy

Dark green, bitter, and slightly spicy. It evokes cold stone walls and shaded gardens.

Buckwheat note image

Buckwheat

Earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter grain scent. It evokes rustic breads and soba noodles.

Creosote Bush note image

Creosote Bush

The source of the 'desert rain' scent. Tarry, herbal, and unique.

Capitiú note image

Capitiú

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

Calycanthus note image

Calycanthus

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

Earl Grey Tea note image

Earl Grey Tea

Black tea infused with bergamot oil. It is citrusy, tannic, and utterly civilized.

Hops note image

Hops

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

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.

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.

Grape Leaves note image

Grape Leaves

Green and slightly tannic. It evokes vineyards and dolmas.

Hay note image

Hay

Dried grass rich in coumarin. Smells warm, sweet, and comforting, like late summer.

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.

Cloves note image

Cloves

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

Licorice note image

Licorice

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

Mace note image

Mace

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

Safraleine note image

Safraleine

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

Wasabi note image

Wasabi

Horseradish-like heat. Pungent and green.

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Sichuan Pepper note image

Sichuan Pepper

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

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Timur note image

Timur

Nepalese pepper. Smells of grapefruit and passionfruit.

Spicy Notes note image

Spicy Notes

General warmth. Cinnamon, clove, pepper mix.

Kopi Luwak Coffee note image

Kopi Luwak Coffee

Civet coffee. It smells roasted but with a distinctive animalic, musky undertone.

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

Toscanol note image

Toscanol

Aromatic chemical. Anise and herbal.

Anise note image

Anise

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

Asafoetida note image

Asafoetida

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

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Japanese Pepper note image

Japanese Pepper

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

Coffee Tincture note image

Coffee Tincture

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

Tamarind note image

Tamarind

Sour fruit. Acidic and fruity.

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.

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

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

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Estoraque note image

Estoraque

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

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.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

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

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

Opoponax note image

Opoponax

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

Myrrh note image

Myrrh

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

A resin that smells surprisingly like lemon, pine, and pepper. It is bright and balsamic.

Mastic or Lentisque note image

Mastic or Lentisque

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

Balsamic Vinegar note image

Balsamic Vinegar

Acidic, fruity, and aged, with a dark sweetness. It adds a sharp, gourmet counterpoint to sweet notes like strawberry.

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Nag Champa note image

Nag Champa

Incense sticks. Sandalwood and Frangipani. Sweet and hippie.

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

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.

Pomelo note image

Pomelo

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

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Litsea Cubeba note image

Litsea Cubeba

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

Grapefruit Peel note image

Grapefruit Peel

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

Citron note image

Citron

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Limetta note image

Limetta

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

Neroli note image

Neroli

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

Mandarin Orange note image

Mandarin Orange

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

Methyl Pamplemousse note image

Methyl Pamplemousse

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

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

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.

Citruses note image

Citruses

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

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

Verveine. Herbal, fresh, and distinctly lemony without the acid.

Palestinian Sweet Lime note image

Palestinian Sweet Lime

Limetta. A mild, non-acidic citrus scent.

Blood Orange note image

Blood Orange

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

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-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.