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.

Pinot Noir Grapes note image

Pinot Noir Grapes

Wine grapes. Sweet, tannic, and dark.

Cloudberry note image

Cloudberry

A Nordic berry that smells tart, juicy, and slightly creamy. It feels rare and arctic.

Black Currant note image

Black Currant

Tart, jammy, and slightly ammoniac—some say 'catty,' I say characterful. It adds a dark, purple richness that is utterly distinctive.

Ground Cherry note image

Ground Cherry

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

Bearberry note image

Bearberry

A small red berry found in cold climates, smelling tart and dry. It adds a crisp, wild fruitiness.

Buriti note image

Buriti

An Amazonian palm fruit smelling oily, woody, and fruity. It is exotic and rich.

Coconut Water note image

Coconut Water

Fresh, transparent, and lightly sweet. It adds a quenching hydration.

Mung Bean note image

Mung Bean

Starchy and green. Used in Asian desserts.

Green Anjou Pears note image

Green Anjou Pears

Crisp and watery pear. Less sweet than other varieties.

Pistachio note image

Pistachio

Nutty, green, and creamy. It often has an almond/cherry nuance.

Grapes note image

Grapes

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

Loganberry note image

Loganberry

Raspberry-blackberry hybrid. Tart and juicy.

Pumpkin note image

Pumpkin

Creamy, earthy squash. Ideally not the spiced latte variety, but the vegetable itself.

Candlenut note image

Candlenut

An oily nut used in Southeast Asian cooking. It smells fatty and mild.

Almond note image

Almond

Bittersweet and creamy, sometimes leaning towards marzipan or cherry. It adds a comforting, nutty gourmand facet to perfumes.

Nashi Pear note image

Nashi Pear

Asian Pear. Crisp, watery, and very fresh.

Persimmon note image

Persimmon

Sharon fruit. Sweet, jelly-like, and mild.

Green Pear note image

Green Pear

Juicy and grainy. It adds a transparent sweetness.

Lingonberry note image

Lingonberry

Tart Scandinavian berry. Smells acid and bright red.

Cherry note image

Cherry

Sweet, tart, and almond-like. It adds a playful red fruitiness.

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.

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.

Amber Xtreme note image

Amber Xtreme

An incredibly powerful woody-amber note that projects for miles. It can be sharp and dry, cutting through even the heaviest compositions.

Cetalox note image

Cetalox

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

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.

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.

BBQ note image

BBQ

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

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.

Cheese note image

Cheese

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

Saffiano Leather note image

Saffiano Leather

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

Meat note image

Meat

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

Civettone note image

Civettone

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

Skatole note image

Skatole

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

Suede note image

Suede

Soft leather. Musky, velvety, and skin-like.

Bacon note image

Bacon

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

Exaltolide® note image

Exaltolide®

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

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.

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.

Goat Hair note image

Goat Hair

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

Ambrettolide note image

Ambrettolide

A vegan musk molecule with fruity, floral undertones. It brings a soft, soapy cleanliness and exceptional longevity.

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.

View All Musk, Amber, Animalic Smells Notes

Beverages

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

Espresso Coffee note image

Espresso Coffee

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

Gin note image

Gin

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

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.

Boozy Notes note image

Boozy Notes

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

Bourbon Whiskey note image

Bourbon Whiskey

Sweet, oaky, and vanilla-rich alcohol. It brings a warm, masculine depth to gourmand and woody scents.

Champagne Rosé note image

Champagne Rosé

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

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.

Buttered Rum note image

Buttered Rum

Hot rum with butter and spices. It is rich, oily, and intoxicatingly warm.

Lemonade note image

Lemonade

Sugary lemon water. It is sweet rather than sour.

Limoncello note image

Limoncello

Italian lemon liqueur. Intense, sweet lemon zest and alcohol.

Blue Margarita note image

Blue Margarita

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

Curaçao note image

Curaçao

Orange liqueur. Smells sweet, citrusy, and slightly bitter.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail note image

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

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

Beer note image

Beer

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

Hi-Fi note image

Hi-Fi

Orange and vodka cocktail. Citrusy and spirited.

Liquor note image

Liquor

Generic alcohol note. Sharp, volatile, and warming.

Pina Colada note image

Pina Colada

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

Pear Juice note image

Pear Juice

Sweet nectar. Very sugary and liquid.

Syrup note image

Syrup

Sugar water. Thick and sweet.

Espresso note image

Espresso

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

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.

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.

Bonbon note image

Bonbon

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

Tropézienne Tarte note image

Tropézienne Tarte

Brioche and cream. French dessert scent.

Dorayaki note image

Dorayaki

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

Candies note image

Candies

A general note for hard, sugary sweets. It brings a playful, artificial fruitiness.

Cream note image

Cream

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

Cake note image

Cake

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

Cereals note image

Cereals

The smell of breakfast grains. Toasty, comforting, and wheaty.

Cosmofruit™ (IFF) note image

Cosmofruit™ (IFF)

A synthetic fruity note smelling of quince and pear. It is diffusive and sweet.

Caramel note image

Caramel

Burnt sugar and cream. It is the defining note of the gourmand genre, rich and sticky.

Hazelnut Cocoa Spread note image

Hazelnut Cocoa Spread

Nutella. Oily, sweet chocolate nuttiness.

Cassata Siciliana note image

Cassata Siciliana

Ricotta, candied fruit, and sponge cake. It is a rich, creamy Italian dessert scent.

Cherry Syrup note image

Cherry Syrup

Medicinal and sugary. Often smells like cough syrup.

Horchata note image

Horchata

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

Apple Pie note image

Apple Pie

Baked apples, cinnamon, and buttery crust. It is a comforting gourmand scent that smells like home and holidays.

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.

Cone Waffle note image

Cone Waffle

The smell of an ice cream cone. Baked, vanilla-scented batter.

Cherry Milk note image

Cherry Milk

Creamy fruit scent. It softens the tart cherry with lactonic notes.

Choux Pastry note image

Choux Pastry

Light, airy pastry dough. It smells buttery and eggy.

Cookie note image

Cookie

Baked goods. Smells of butter, sugar, and flour.

Pancake note image

Pancake

Batter and maple syrup. Warm and breakfast-like.

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.

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.

Tiare Flower note image

Tiare Flower

Tahitian Gardenia. Creamy, tropical, and sweet.

Gardenia note image

Gardenia

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

Tuberose note image

Tuberose

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

Mandarin Orange Blossom note image

Mandarin Orange Blossom

Floral and honeyed.

Honeysuckle note image

Honeysuckle

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

Lily note image

Lily

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

Carissa note image

Carissa

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

Grapefruit Blossom note image

Grapefruit Blossom

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

Frangipani note image

Frangipani

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

Mock Orange note image

Mock Orange

Philadelphus. Smells intensely like orange blossom but sweeter.

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.

Karo-Karounde note image

Karo-Karounde

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

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.

Stephanotis note image

Stephanotis

Madagascar Jasmine. Waxy, sweet, and bridal.

Jasmine note image

Jasmine

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

Lemon Blossom note image

Lemon Blossom

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

Melati note image

Melati

Indonesian Jasmine. Sweet and tea-like.

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.

Guinea Pepper note image

Guinea Pepper

Grains of Paradise. Peppery, citrusy, and woody.

Ginger note image

Ginger

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

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.

Ultravanil™ note image

Ultravanil™

High-impact vanilla synthetic. Non-edible vanilla.

Coffee note image

Coffee

Dark, roasted, and energizing, bringing a bitter gourmand edge. It grounds sweetness and adds a restless, urban energy to a scent.

Pimento Leaf note image

Pimento Leaf

Greener and sharper than the berry. Very spicy.

Cinnamon note image

Cinnamon

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

Wan Sao Lhong note image

Wan Sao Lhong

Thai herb. Spicy and aromatic.

Carolina Reaper note image

Carolina Reaper

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

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.

Kaempferia Galanga note image

Kaempferia Galanga

Aromatic ginger. It smells spicy but also dusty and camphorous.

Pimento note image

Pimento

Allspice berry. Clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg rolled into one.

Tonka Bean note image

Tonka Bean

The scent of coumarin—vanilla, almond, hay, and tobacco rolled into one.

Galanga note image

Galanga

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

Anise note image

Anise

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

Fenugreek note image

Fenugreek

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

Kopi Luwak Coffee note image

Kopi Luwak Coffee

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

Coffee CO2 note image

Coffee CO2

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

Wasabi note image

Wasabi

Horseradish-like heat. Pungent and green.

Curcuma (Turmeric) note image

Curcuma (Turmeric)

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

Choya Nakh note image

Choya Nakh

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

Breu-Branco note image

Breu-Branco

An Amazonian resin smelling of wood, spice, and eucalyptus. It is fresh yet balsamic.

Rubber note image

Rubber

Burnt tires or latex. Industrial and dark.

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.

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green note image

Olibanum Sacra Resin Green

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

Resins note image

Resins

Hardened tree sap. Amber, sticky, and warm.

Choya Ral note image

Choya Ral

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

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.

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.

Pine Tar note image

Pine Tar

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

Olibanum (Frankincense) note image

Olibanum (Frankincense)

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

Elemi note image

Elemi

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

Labdanum note image

Labdanum

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

Cade oil note image

Cade oil

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

Choya Loban note image

Choya Loban

Frankincense destructively distilled. It smells intensely smoky and resinous.

Tea Tree Oil note image

Tea Tree Oil

Medicinal and antiseptic. Sharp and clean.

Blue Amber note image

Blue Amber

A variant of amber found in the Dominican Republic. In perfume, it usually means an amber accord with aromatic or marine touches.

Mopane note image

Mopane

African Balsam. Smells turpentine-like and woody.

Myrica note image

Myrica

Bayberry. Smells spicy, waxy, and balsamic.

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.

Lemon Zest note image

Lemon Zest

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

Green Tangerine note image

Green Tangerine

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

Clementine note image

Clementine

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

Lemon Verbena note image

Lemon Verbena

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

Rangpur note image

Rangpur

A lemon-mandarin hybrid. Very acidic and floral.

Pokan note image

Pokan

Taiwanese mandarin. Sweet and loose-skinned.

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.

Citron note image

Citron

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

Shiikuwasha note image

Shiikuwasha

Okinawa Lime. Sour and tangerine-like.

Sudachi citrus note image

Sudachi citrus

Japanese citrus. Sour and spicy like lime.

Hatkora Lemon note image

Hatkora Lemon

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

Bitter Orange note image

Bitter Orange

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

Lemon Tree note image

Lemon Tree

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

Lemon Myrtle note image

Lemon Myrtle

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

Kaffir Lime note image

Kaffir Lime

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

Calamansi note image

Calamansi

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

Lemon Balm note image

Lemon Balm

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

Tangelo note image

Tangelo

Tangerine-Grapefruit hybrid. Sweet and tart.

Finger Lime note image

Finger Lime

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

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.