Wood And Fragrance: Does Wood Hold Scents?

Wood is a common source of fragrance, with notes derived from trees, roots, resins, moss and some leaves and grasses. These fragrances are characterised by their rich, warm and sensual qualities. Cedarwood is one of the most commonly used notes in fragrance, with its dry, woody and resinous scent. Sandalwood is another popular fragrance, with its balsamic, rich and sweet aroma.

Woody fragrances are characterised by notes derived from wood materials such as trees, roots, resins, moss and some leaves and grasses

Cedarwood, extracted from coniferous trees, is one of the most commonly used notes in fragrance. Its dry, woody and resinous scent lends itself well to being used as a base note, supporting and combining with fresher notes such as citrus. Sandalwood is another popular woody fragrance, known for its balsamic, rich and sweet aroma with a delicate nod to wood. Its subtler scent compared to cedarwood has a unique depth and ability to linger, making it an excellent fixative for other notes.

Other woody fragrances include patchouli, oakmoss and vetiver, which are significant essential oils in the earthy perfume family. These scents are derived from plant life that has an earthy tone and aroma, with roots, moss and grass defining their character. Woody fragrances are a complex and diverse family, with a wide range of olfactory characteristics that can be grouped under the overarching category of woods.

Cedarwood is one of the most commonly used notes in fragrance

Woody fragrances are characterised by notes derived from wood materials such as trees, roots, resins, moss and some leaves and grasses that hold earthy qualities. Wood notes tend to be rich and warm, often forming the base of a scent due to their aromatic weight.

Cedarwood is typically used as a base note in perfumery, with a warm, woody, and balsamic aroma that is particularly long-lasting, making it an ideal base note ingredient. When incorporated into perfumes, cedarwood is often combined with other fragrances, such as floral, citrus, or spicy scents, to create a harmonious fragrance composition. The different species of cedarwood can be used to achieve different aroma impressions, each with their own unique scent profile. For example, Atlas Cedarwood, native to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, has a warm, woody, and slightly sweet scent, while Virginian Cedarwood, native to North America, has a slightly sharper, more herbal scent. Texas Cedarwood has a more pungent, spicy scent and is often used as a top note, while Siberian Cedarwood has a more balsamic and resinous scent and is preferred as a base note.

Sandalwood has a rich, sweet and balsamic fragrance

Wood does hold fragrance, and sandalwood is a great example of this. Sandalwood has a rich, sweet and balsamic fragrance. Its woody notes give it a warm, spicy appeal that seduces the senses. The creamy quality of sandalwood makes it pair well with many different notes, which is why it is found in so many perfumes. It has a robust longevity, and its depth and ability to linger make it an excellent fixative for other notes. Its warmth makes it a standout for winter fragrances, and its buttery and creamy roundness helps it blend seamlessly between spicy and earthy notes.

Earthy perfumes are a subcategory of woody fragrances

Woody fragrances are characterised by notes derived from wood materials such as trees, roots, resins, moss and some leaves and grasses that hold earthy qualities. Wood notes tend to be rich, warm and sensual, often forming the base of a scent due to their aromatic weight. They are usually paired with aromatic or citrus top notes.

Cedarwood is perhaps the most significant of the woods due to its ancient use in perfumery, and is one of the most commonly used notes in fragrance. Its scent comes from the extracted oil of coniferous trees which are native to the Mediterranean region as well as the Himalayan Mountains, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Virginia in the US. Its character is dry, distinctively woody and resinous.

Sandalwood is another popular woody fragrance. Its fragrance is balsamic, rich and sweet with a delicate nod to wood. The smell is exotic, so it is often associated with oriental scents. The aroma is subtler than cedarwood, but has a unique depth and ability to linger and last, acting as an excellent fixative for other notes.

Woody fragrances are best brought out when paired with aromatic or citrus top notes

Woody fragrances are characterised by notes derived from wood materials such as trees, roots, resins, moss, bark, pine cones, and some leaves and grasses that hold earthy qualities. Wood notes tend to be rich and warm, often forming the base of a scent due to their aromatic weight. Woody fragrances are best brought out when paired with aromatic or citrus top notes, together creating depth and complexity in a scent.

Woody fragrances can be given a twist by adding fruity notes, florals, herbs, and spices, which can then be categorised into sub-families such as Woody Oriental, Woody Leather, Woody Chypre, Woody Aromatic, Woody Floral, Woody Fruity, and Woody Spicy. For example, a Woody Oriental could be a blend of rich oriental notes with woody notes such as patchouli and sandalwood. Woody Chypre perfumes feature notes of oakmoss, amber, and citrus.

Cedarwood is perhaps the most significant of the woods due to its ancient use in perfumery, and is one of the most commonly used notes in fragrance. Its scent comes from the extracted oil of coniferous trees which are native to the Mediterranean region as well as the Himalayan Mountains, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and Virginia in the US. Its character is dry, distinctively woody, and resinous. Its deep qualities lend itself best to being used as a base note, supporting and combining beautifully with fresher notes such as citrus.

The Giorgio Armani brand is noted for its woody fragrance with strong citrus elements. Top notes of bergamot and mandarin play well off the citrus centrality of the scent. They are paired with middle notes of ginger and patchouli and base notes of cardamom, sage, and vetiver.

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