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'.

Dahlia note image

Dahlia

A subtle, slightly bitter floral scent. It lacks the sweetness of a rose, smelling more like fresh garden greenery and stems.

Lotus note image

Lotus

Watery, light, and ethereal. It has a transparent floral quality that feels meditative.

Apricot Blossom note image

Apricot Blossom

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

Hoary Stock note image

Hoary Stock

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

Anemone note image

Anemone

A light, slightly earthy floral scent with a powdery nuance. It is subtle and shy, often used to create a natural garden atmosphere.

Hyssop note image

Hyssop

An ancient herb. Smells camphorous, minty, and spicy.

Gustavia Flower note image

Gustavia Flower

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

Green Nard note image

Green Nard

Spikenard. Intense, earthy, and musk-like. An ancient scent.

Aglaia note image

Aglaia

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

Holly Flower note image

Holly Flower

Small white flowers with a faint, sweet, honey-like scent.

Acerola Blossom note image

Acerola Blossom

A light, airy floral note with subtle fruity undertones. It bridges the gap between the tart fruit and a soft, petal-like texture.

Crinum Lily note image

Crinum Lily

A large lily with a strong, clean fragrance. It smells soapy and fresh.

Princess Tree (Paulownia) note image

Princess Tree (Paulownia)

Vanilla-scented purple flowers.

Hazel Blossom note image

Hazel Blossom

The catkins of the hazel tree. Mild, dusty, and pollen-heavy.

Nigella note image

Nigella

Love-in-a-mist. The seeds smell of strawberry and oregano.

Pansy note image

Pansy

Mild, grassy floral. Mostly a fantasy note.

Chamomile note image

Chamomile

Herbal, tea-like, and slightly fruity (like apples). It is soothing and gentle.

Peach Blossom note image

Peach Blossom

A delicate, airy floral scent with a whisper of fruitiness. It smells pink and spring-like.

Grevillea note image

Grevillea

Spider Flower. It smells honeyed and nectar-rich.

Paramela note image

Paramela

A plant from Patagonia. Smells honeyed and herbal.

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.

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.

Williams Pear note image

Williams Pear

Bartlett pear. Classic sweet pear scent.

Beetroot note image

Beetroot

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

Dried Apple Crisp note image

Dried Apple Crisp

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

Arctic Bramble note image

Arctic Bramble

A hardy berry scent that is tart, wild, and slightly floral. It evokes cold climates and resilient nature.

Guava note image

Guava

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

Durian note image

Durian

The King of Fruits. Creamy and sweet to some, rotting onions and gym socks to others. Proceed with caution.

Tucumã note image

Tucumã

Amazonian palm fruit. Oily and sweet.

Apple note image

Apple

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

Serrano Pepper note image

Serrano Pepper

Hot chili. Green and spicy.

Fuji Apple note image

Fuji Apple

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

Wild Strawberry note image

Wild Strawberry

Fraises des Bois. Intense, aromatic, and sweet.

Walnut Milk note image

Walnut Milk

Creamy nut scent.

Dewberry note image

Dewberry

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

Shea Butter note image

Shea Butter

Nutty fat. Creamy and earthy.

Vegetal Notes note image

Vegetal Notes

Green peppers, peas, etc. Savory greenness.

Burning Cherry note image

Burning Cherry

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

Cashew note image

Cashew

Creamy, fatty, and soft nut scent. It adds a buttery texture.

Cherry Jam note image

Cherry Jam

Cooked cherries and sugar. Intense, sticky fruitiness.

Fig Milk note image

Fig Milk

The white sap of the tree. It smells creamy, woody, and slightly bitter.

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.

Ambretone note image

Ambretone

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

Musk note image

Musk

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

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.

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.

Kephalis note image

Kephalis

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

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Amber note image

Amber

A fantasy accord that wraps you up like a cashmere throw. It’s warm, resinous, and vanillic, providing a golden glow to the dry-down.

Fur note image

Fur

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

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.

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.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

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.

Muskrat note image

Muskrat

An animalic musk. Similar to civet but soapier.

Ambrostar note image

Ambrostar

A modern captive molecule that offers a dry, vibrant woody-amber effect. It helps a fragrance lift off the skin and sparkle.

Muscone note image

Muscone

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

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.

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

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.

Rum note image

Rum

Distilled sugarcane. Sweet, brown, and spicy. It evokes pirates and warm evenings.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

Daiquiri note image

Daiquiri

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

Pina Colada note image

Pina Colada

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

Eau de Vie note image

Eau de Vie

Clear fruit brandy. It smells volatile, fruity, and sharp.

Vinegar note image

Vinegar

Acetic acid. Sour and pungent.

Mai Tai Cocktail note image

Mai Tai Cocktail

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

Espresso note image

Espresso

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

Blackcurrant Juice note image

Blackcurrant Juice

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

Absinthe note image

Absinthe

Aromatic and bitter with that notorious anise kick. It evokes bohemian Paris and adds a dangerous, green edge to any composition.

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.

Mezcal note image

Mezcal

Smoky tequila. Agave, smoke, and earth.

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Kir Royal note image

Kir Royal

Champagne and crème de cassis. Fizzy, berry-sweet, and chic.

Soy Milk note image

Soy Milk

Bean milk. Nutty, vegetal, and creamy.

Hot Chocolate note image

Hot Chocolate

Cocoa and milk. Warm, powdery, and comforting.

Fruit Tea note image

Fruit Tea

Dried fruits steeped in hot water. Sweet, tart, and comforting.

Moonshine note image

Moonshine

Corn whiskey. Raw, harsh alcohol scent.

Coca-Cola note image

Coca-Cola

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

Sangria note image

Sangria

Red wine and cut fruit. Sweet and summery.

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.

Cuban Cigar note image

Cuban Cigar

Fine tobacco leaves. Smells earthy, sweet, and luxurious.

Boisiris note image

Boisiris

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

Ember note image

Ember

Glowing wood and fading smoke. Warm and dry.

Sinfonide note image

Sinfonide

A musk with amber and woody tones. Radiant.

Egg note image

Egg

Sulfurous and savory. An oddity in perfume, usually found in custard accords.

Dew Drop note image

Dew Drop

A fantasy note capturing the smell of wet grass at dawn. It is watery, green, and fleeting.

Candle Wax note image

Candle Wax

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

Jeans note image

Jeans

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

Factor X note image

Factor X

A marketing fantasy note. Usually implies pheromones or something mysterious.

Glass note image

Glass

A fantasy note of transparency. It smells cold, clean, and invisible.

Guaiacol note image

Guaiacol

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

Lipstick note image

Lipstick

Wax, violet, and rose. The classic scent of vintage makeup.

Fish note image

Fish

Marine and amine-like. Rarely used literally, but part of some daring marine accords.

Silk note image

Silk

A fantasy texture. Smooth, cool, and airy.

Loam note image

Loam

Rich, fertile soil. Smells organic and damp.

Dust note image

Dust

Dry, powdery, and tickling. It adds an atmospheric, attic-like quality.

Fire note image

Fire

Smoky, dry, and hot. It mimics the scent of burning things.

Evernyl note image

Evernyl

A synthetic oakmoss substitute. It smells mossy, dry, and mineral, essential for modern chypres.

Crustaceans note image

Crustaceans

Shellfish smell. Salty, oceanic, and savory.

Ink note image

Ink

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

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.

Peach Cream note image

Peach Cream

Peaches and cream. Smooth, lactonic, and very sweet.

Bubble Gum note image

Bubble Gum

The classic pink smell of tutti-frutti and sugar. It’s playful, young, and nostalgic.

Dorayaki note image

Dorayaki

A Japanese pancake filled with red bean paste. It smells sweet, cake-like, and slightly earthy.

Buttercream note image

Buttercream

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

Churros note image

Churros

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

Chocolate Fudge note image

Chocolate Fudge

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

Praline note image

Praline

Caramelized sugar and nuts. A benchmark of the modern gourmand style.

Butter note image

Butter

Rich, fatty, and creamy. It adds a dense, savory mouthfeel to gourmand fragrances.

Dragibus note image

Dragibus

A specific French jelly bean. It smells fruity, sticky, and artificial.

Dates note image

Dates

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

Jellybean note image

Jellybean

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

Dulce de Leche note image

Dulce de Leche

Slow-cooked caramelized milk. It smells thick, savory-sweet, and creamy.

Nougat note image

Nougat

Honey, egg whites, and nuts. Chewy and sweet.

Maraschino Cherry note image

Maraschino Cherry

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

Cheesecake note image

Cheesecake

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

Kulfi note image

Kulfi

Indian ice cream. Dense, milky, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and pistachio.

Hazelnut Cocoa Spread note image

Hazelnut Cocoa Spread

Nutella. Oily, sweet chocolate nuttiness.

Pancake note image

Pancake

Batter and maple syrup. Warm and breakfast-like.

Loukhoum note image

Loukhoum

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

Bubbaloo note image

Bubbaloo

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

View All Gourmand Notes

Woods & Earth

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

Amburana Bark note image

Amburana Bark

A Brazilian wood that smells wonderfully of vanilla, coumarin, and gingerbread. It adds a warm, spicy gourmand feel to woody scents.

Beech note image

Beech

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

Incienso note image

Incienso

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

Ironwood note image

Ironwood

An incredibly hard wood with a metallic, dry scent. It feels dense and impenetrable.

Palo Verde Tree note image

Palo Verde Tree

A desert tree. Smells green and woody.

Manuka note image

Manuka

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

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.

Oakmoss note image

Oakmoss

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

Paperbark note image

Paperbark

Melaleuca. Smells swampy, medicinal, and woody.

Maple note image

Maple

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

Canadian Balsam note image

Canadian Balsam

Balsam Fir resin, smelling piney and sweet. It is the scent of deep northern forests.

Olive Tree note image

Olive Tree

Woody and oily. Ancient and gnarled.

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.

Baobab note image

Baobab

The majestic African tree, smelling dry, woody, and slightly fruity. It provides a unique, grand base note.

Cork note image

Cork

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

Dreamwood note image

Dreamwood

A sustainable sandalwood alternative from biotechnology. It smells creamy, milky, and warm.

Buddha Wood note image

Buddha Wood

An Australian wood also known as False Sandalwood. It smells woody, smoky, and rose-like.

Nootka note image

Nootka

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

Pink Ipê Tree note image

Pink Ipê Tree

Handroanthus. A floral wood scent.

Birch note image

Birch

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

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.

Datura note image

Datura

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

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Black Locust note image

Black Locust

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Boronia note image

Boronia

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

White Flowers note image

White Flowers

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

Syringa note image

Syringa

Lilac. Sweet and fresh.

Lily note image

Lily

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

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.

Night Blooming Cereus note image

Night Blooming Cereus

A cactus flower. Vanilla-scented and spicy.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Tangerine Blossom note image

Tangerine Blossom

Sweet white floral.

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

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.

Silk Vine or Milk Broom note image

Silk Vine or Milk Broom

Periploca. Smells powdery and green.

Nut Grass note image

Nut Grass

Cyperus. Smells woody, earthy, and spicy (like Vetiver).

Reed note image

Reed

Water grass. Dry, papery, and aquatic.

Rosemary note image

Rosemary

Needle-like leaves. Camphorous, woody, and savory.

Pandan Leaf note image

Pandan Leaf

Asian vanilla. It smells intensely nutty, grassy, and like cooked rice.

Pu'er Tea note image

Pu'er Tea

Fermented tea. Earthy, fishy (in a good way), and damp.

Oat note image

Oat

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

Peyote note image

Peyote

A cactus scent. Green, watery, and earthy.

Keemun Tea note image

Keemun Tea

A Chinese black tea with a wine-like, fruity, and smoky aroma.

Galbanum note image

Galbanum

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

Posidonia note image

Posidonia

Seagrass. Smells oceanic and green.

Apple Mint note image

Apple Mint

A fuzzy-leafed mint variety that smells softer and fruiter than peppermint. It creates a gentle, garden-fresh cooling effect.

Arnica note image

Arnica

Herbal, medicinal, and slightly hay-like. It adds a healing, apothecary vibe to aromatic blends.

Angelica note image

Angelica

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

Green Forest note image

Green Forest

A fantasy accord of pine, moss, and leaves. Fresh and shady.

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.

Naswar note image

Naswar

Dipping tobacco. Pungent, green, and earthy.

Ginseng note image

Ginseng

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

Red Algae note image

Red Algae

Seaweed. Marine and mineral.

Immortelle note image

Immortelle

A polarizing Mediterranean flower that smells of maple syrup, curry powder, and burnt sugar. It is dry, spicy, and unforgettable.

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.

Anise note image

Anise

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

Bay Leaf note image

Bay Leaf

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

Coriander note image

Coriander

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

Dill note image

Dill

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

Carum note image

Carum

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

Cassia note image

Cassia

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

Cardamom note image

Cardamom

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

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper note image

Cubeb or Tailed Pepper

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

Cinnamon Leaf note image

Cinnamon Leaf

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

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.

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

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

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

Warm, spicy, and woody. It evokes baking, holidays, and heat.

Fennel note image

Fennel

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

Curry note image

Curry

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Indian Spices note image

Indian Spices

A masala blend of cumin, coriander, and cardamom. Warm, savory, and vibrating with heat.

Cacao Pod note image

Cacao Pod

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

Galanga note image

Galanga

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

Biryani note image

Biryani

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

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.

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

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.

Bois d'Encens note image

Bois d'Encens

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

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

Styrax note image

Styrax

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

Bushman Candle note image

Bushman Candle

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

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

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.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Peru Balsam note image

Peru Balsam

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

Gurjun Balsam note image

Gurjun Balsam

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

Surf Wax note image

Surf Wax

Coconut and paraffin. Beachy.

Incense note image

Incense

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

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

The cornerstone of amber accords. It smells leathery, sweet, dirty, and warm all at once.

Copahu Balm note image

Copahu Balm

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

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

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.

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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.

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

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.

Hassaku note image

Hassaku

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

Tangerine Zest note image

Tangerine Zest

Oily orange peel scent.

Yuzu note image

Yuzu

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Lemongrass note image

Lemongrass

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Grapefruit note image

Grapefruit

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

Rind Bergamot note image

Rind Bergamot

The zest. Bitter and aromatic.

Citron note image

Citron

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

Green Tangerine note image

Green Tangerine

Unripe tangerine. It smells more zesty and bitter than the ripe fruit.

Grapefruit Leaf note image

Grapefruit Leaf

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

Chen Pi note image

Chen Pi

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

Kumquat note image

Kumquat

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

Tangerine note image

Tangerine

Easy, sweet citrus. Less complex than mandarin.

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

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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.