The Allure Of Absolue In Cologne Fragrances

Absolue is a term used to describe a highly concentrated perfume ingredient obtained by the alcohol extraction of the concrete. The concrete is obtained by the solvent extract of the plant material.

In the context of cologne, absolu is used to describe a more intense version of the original fragrance. It can also be a stripped back version of the original with fewer notes or more emphasis on certain notes.

An absolute fragrance is similar to an essential oil, but the difference lies in the extraction process. While essential oils are produced through steam distillation, an absolute is extracted using a solvent such as hexane or ethanol

Essential oils are typically obtained through steam distillation, a process that involves passing steam through the plant material to extract the oil. This method is commonly used for leaves, flowers, stems, bark, and fruit peels. On the other hand, absolutes are extracted using solvents like hexane or ethanol, which dissolve the aromatic compounds from the plant material. This technique is often employed for delicate plant parts, such as jasmine or rose, that are not suitable for steam distillation.

Absolutes tend to be more concentrated and viscous than essential oils, offering a richer and more complex scent profile due to the inclusion of more aromatic compounds. They are usually more expensive due to the extraction process and the amount of plant material required.

In contrast, essential oils are generally purer and have a more straightforward chemical profile. They are also more volatile, making them well-suited for aromatherapy and diffusers. Essential oils can vary in price depending on the type, season, and availability, with some, like rose and sandalwood, being consistently expensive due to complex extraction processes.

While essential oils are prized for their therapeutic properties and are used in aromatherapy, skincare, and fragrances, absolutes are often used in high-end perfumes and luxurious skincare products, providing a complex fragrance.

Absolutes therefore contain even more of the aromatic detail of the original ingredient (compared with steam-distilled extracts) making the smell closer to its natural form and, therefore, superior in quality. This method is also more effective at capturing very delicate substances, such as rose and jasmine

Absolutes are highly concentrated perfume ingredients obtained through the alcohol extraction of the concrete. The concrete is obtained through the solvent extraction of the plant material. This method is more effective at capturing very delicate substances, such as rose and jasmine, and results in a smell closer to its natural form.

Some examples of absolute fragrances include ICON Absolute by Dunhill, Bentley for Men Absolute by Bentley, Original Santal by Creed, Private Blend Champaca Absolute by Tom Ford, Cologne Absolute by Tom Daxon, and Absolu Pour Le Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Some examples of absolute fragrances include:

• ICON Absolute by Dunhill: a woody, spicy fragrance for men with notes of black pepper, bergamot, saffron, black rose, jasmine, agarwood, leather, and tobacco leaf.
• Bentley for Men Absolute by Bentley: a woody, spicy, and incense-heavy fragrance with notes of ginger, pink peppercorn, frankincense, papyrus, atlas cedarwood, sandalwood, oud, ambergris, and moss.
• Original Santal by Creed: a warm, spicy, and oriental fragrance with notes of ginger, juniper berries, bergamot, rosemary, coriander, mandarin, lavender, geranium, orange blossom, sandalwood, oakmoss, musk, tonka bean, and cedarwood.
• Private Blend Champaca Absolute by Tom Ford: a unisex, oriental, floral fragrance with notes of cognac, dyer's greenweed, champaca, orchid, jasmine, violet, vanilla, amber, sandalwood, and marron glace.
• Cologne Absolute by Tom Daxon: a unisex, woody, and citrusy fragrance with notes of neroli, bergamot, tarragon, green violet leaf, lemon petitgrain, jasmine, lily of the valley, patchouli, and cypriol.
• Absolu Pour Le Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian: an oriental fragrance with notes of rose, honey, incense, benzoin, ylang-ylang, cumin, atlas cedar, and sandalwood.

The pros of absolute fragrances include a promise of a concentrated fragrance experience and longevity. The cons include high prices and a lack of originality

Absolutes are highly concentrated perfume ingredients obtained by the alcohol extraction of the concrete. The concrete is obtained by the solvent extraction of the plant material. Absolutes are similar to essential oils but differ in the extraction process. Essential oils are produced through steam distillation, while absolutes are extracted using a solvent such as hexane or ethanol.

The pros of absolute fragrances include a promise of a concentrated fragrance experience and longevity. Absolutes contain more of the aromatic detail of the original ingredient, making the smell closer to its natural form and, therefore, superior in quality. This method is also more effective at capturing very delicate substances, such as rose and jasmine.

On the other hand, the cons of absolute fragrances include high prices and a lack of originality. Absolute perfumes are usually more expensive than their original branded counterparts. Additionally, some fragrance makers use the term "absolute" as a concept, similar to "intense" or "extreme," which can make it challenging to find truly original scents.

Popular absolute fragrances include Armani Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani, Absolu Aventus by Creed, and Rose & White Musk Absolu, Violet & Amber Absolu, and Gardenia & Oud Absolu by Jo Malone London

The term "absolu" in cologne refers to a highly concentrated perfume ingredient obtained through alcohol extraction of the concrete, which is obtained through the solvent extraction of plant material. In the world of fragrances, absolu can be used to describe a more concentrated version of the original scent, a "stripped back" version with fewer notes or more emphasis on certain notes, or a different interpretation of the original.

Popular fragrances that include "absolu" in their names include:

• Armani Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani: This fragrance for men, launched in 2019, is described as oriental and spicy. It features top notes of green mandarin and apple, middle notes of nutmeg, orange blossom, and carrot seeds, and base notes of vanilla, tonka bean, suede, and woody notes. It has been praised for its performance and longevity and is considered a great option for date nights.
• Absolu Aventus by Creed: A limited-edition fragrance with top notes of grapefruit and pineapple, and base notes of Haitian vetiver. It is described as a modern interpretation of the classic Aventus fragrance, adding a burst of citrus energy and an elegant dimension of smoke.
• Rose & White Musk Absolu by Jo Malone London: A floral woody musk fragrance for women and men, launched in 2018. It features heart notes of rose essence, Damask rose absolute, and rose water, and base notes of agarwood (oud), white musk, and amber. It is known for its longevity and has received praise for its ability to last much longer than other Jo Malone fragrances.
• Violet & Amber Absolu by Jo Malone London: This fragrance wraps the warmth of oud and white musk with the scent of dark purple petals and violet leaves, anchored by warm and sophisticated amber.
• Gardenia & Oud Absolu by Jo Malone London: A floral fragrance for women and men, launched in 2020. It features top notes of white flowers, a middle note of gardenia, and base notes of agarwood (oud), white musk, and amber. It has been praised for its longevity and unique blend, offering a sweet, royal, and exotic scent.

Frequently asked questions