Woody

Characteristics of woody perfumes

The woody family brings together olfactory notes such as cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, birch and guaiac wood, among others. During Antiquity, perfumes designed with the woody olfactory family were used to make ointments and served as aroma for religious ceremonies. Each woody aroma has its own particularity, each tree giving off a different scent depending on its origin and the climate of the place where it grows. The woody note of sandalwood is persistent, creamier, smoother and softer compared to other notes of the woody olfactory family. Cedar essence is used in fine perfumery, giving off a noble scent while retaining its woody character. Patchouli and vetiver belong to the woody family but do not come from wood; it is their woody scents that classify them within this olfactory family category. The patchouli plant, native to Asia, has no odor itself; it is its absolute that has an intense scent, earthy, dry and woody with accents that are at once sweet, camphorous and smoky. As for vetiver, it is a grass with woody and sensual scents.

Some perfumes from the woody family category

Woody perfumes are very numerous and are generally designed for men, but an increase in the creation of woody feminine fragrances can be observed. Moreover, women increasingly appreciate and embrace wearing woody fragrances. Notes belonging to the woody olfactory family can be found in the unisex perfume Vétiver Oriental by Serge Lutens. Launched in 2004, it is composed of woody notes such as bitter chocolate, vetiver, oakmoss, sandalwood, amber and guaiac wood, but also musk, cistus and iris. The perfume L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme by Issey Miyake is a composition of aquatic and woody notes. It is fresh, invigorating and relaxing. Refreshing notes such as coriander, yuzu and mandarin appear at the top. In its heart, one finds woody and spicy notes such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The base of the perfume consists of woody, intense notes such as tobacco, ambergris and sandalwood. Among the feminine fragrances designed with a woody note, Mademoiselle Ricci by Nina Ricci is at once timeless, elegant, natural, sensitive and addictive. Its facets express a beautiful personality with sweetbrier, centifolia rose, pink pepper, oleander, with a powdery and woody base.