Unraveling The Scent Universe: Understanding The Fragrance Wheel

A fragrance wheel is a device that has been used for decades to classify and visualize the relationship between olfactory groups based on similarity or differences. It was first devised by Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek in 1949 and rebuilt by Michael Edwards in 1983. The fragrance wheel is a circular diagram that depicts every scent family and subfamily within each scent.

How it works: Illustrating relationships between olfactory groups

The first fragrance wheel was invented in 1949 by Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek. It is a circular diagram that depicts every scent family and subfamily within each scent. It helps to demystify the strategy of scent placement and indicates which scents you can expect to blend well and those which will clash.

The wheel is split into four sections:

• Aromatic
• Citrus
• Fruity
• Green
• Water
• Woods main
• Dry woods
• Floral

Scent groups that are closest together share characteristics in their fragrances, while scent groups further apart on the wheel are less closely related in terms of fragrance.

The fragrance wheel works by illustrating the relationship between olfactory groups based on similarity or differences. It serves as a visual aid not only for identifying perfumes but also in developing new compounds.

Scent placement: Blending notes into accords

A fragrance wheel is a device that has been used for decades to classify and visualise the relationship between olfactory groups based on similarity or differences. It is split into four sections, each with its own subdivisions or subfamilies.

The first fragrance wheel was invented in 1949 by Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek. His diagram, published in his book, The Practice of Modern Perfumery, detailed how various scents related to one another, in terms of their olfactory personality.

In 1983, legendary perfume taxonomist Michael Edwards then rebuilt the fragrance wheel from the ground up. The Michael Edwards Fragrance Wheel was wildly successful and since went on to be an industry standard.

The fragrance wheel places perfumes into categories based on their ingredients and overall scent, then details which work well together, and which don’t. This is useful if you’re not sure which fragrances to choose.

The wheel is split into four sections, which are:

• Aromatic
• Citrus
• Fruity
• Green
• Water
• Woods main
• Dry woods
• Floral

Scent groups that are closest together share characteristics in their fragrances, while scent groups further apart on the wheel are less closely related in terms of fragrance.

Subfamilies can be enormous or incredibly niche, which is why they’re often absent from fragrance wheels. However, consider using both as resources when seeking to identify the notes of a fragrance.

Scent families: Scents grouped by similarity

A fragrance wheel is a circular diagram that depicts every scent family and subfamily within each scent. It helps to demystify the strategy of scent placement and indicates which scents you can expect to blend well and those which will clash.

A scent family is a group of scents placed together because of their similarities and complementary differences. Scent groups that are closest together share characteristics in their fragrances, while scent groups further apart on the wheel are less closely related in terms of fragrance.

The wheel is split into four sections:

• Aromatic
• Citrus
• Fruity
• Green
• Water
• Woods main
• Dry woods
• Floral

The first fragrance wheel was invented in 1949 by Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek. Since then, other perfume experts have taken Jellinek’s concept and developed it.

Subdivisions: Subfamilies within scent families

A fragrance wheel is a circular diagram that depicts every scent family and subfamily within each scent. It helps to demystify the strategy of scent placement and indicates which scents you can expect to blend well and those which will clash. A scent family is a group of scents placed together because of their similarities and complementary differences. Scent groups that are closest together share characteristics in their fragrances, while scent groups further apart on the wheel are less closely related in terms of fragrance.

Subfamilies can be enormous or incredibly niche, which is why they’re often absent from fragrance wheels. However, consider using both as resources when seeking to identify the notes of a fragrance.

The Michael Edwards Fragrance Wheel was wildly successful and since went on to be an industry standard. Oenologists or professional wine tasters have even been known to use the fragrance wheel when identifying aromatic compounds in wine.

The fragrance wheel is split into four sections:

• Aromatic
• Citrus
• Fruity
• Green
• Water
• Woods main
• Dry woods
• Floral

History: First devised in 1949 by Paul Jellinek

In 1949, Austrian perfumer Paul Jellinek devised the first fragrance wheel. The fragrance wheel is a device that has been used for classifying perfumes for decades. It is also useful for helping you to decide which scent is right for you.

Jellinek's diagram, published in his book, The Practice of Modern Perfumery, detailed how various scents related to one another, in terms of their olfactory personality (that’s their smell). This, in a historical context, was an important moment indeed.

The fragrance wheel works by illustrating the relationship between olfactory groups based on similarity or differences. It serves as a visual aid not only for identifying perfumes but also in developing new compounds.

In 1983, legendary perfume taxonomist Michael Edwards then rebuilt the fragrance wheel from the ground up. The Michael Edwards Fragrance Wheel was wildly successful and since went on to be an industry standard.

Frequently asked questions