Leather

What Does It Smell Like?

Leather smells like the interior of a well-worn saddle or vintage handbag—earthy, slightly animalic, with warm tobacco and wood undertones. There's an almost smoky, bittersweet quality, reminiscent of old books and aged suede. It's dry yet vaguely creamy, conjuring images of smoke-filled gentlemen's clubs and polished riding boots. Unlike the raw smell of fresh hide, fragrance leather is refined, sophisticated, and mysteriously animalic without being offensive.

Origin & History

Leather in perfumery is almost entirely synthetic, created from birch tar (Betula alba), which produces a smoky, slightly animalic character. Alternatively, ambroxan (a synthetic molecule mimicking ambergris) and iso E super are layered to build leather's complexity. Historically, genuine leather smoke notes were rare; modern chemistry allows perfumers to capture the essence without animal processing. The note emerged as a perfumery staple in the 1920s, revolutionising masculine fragrances and offering an animalic warmth previously impossible to capture safely.

In Perfumery

Leather acts as a sophisticated anchor and masculinising agent in compositions. It grounds other notes with gravitas and adds weathered, worldly character. Typically appearing in the heart and base, leather enriches woody and amber notes, lending texture and depth. It's often paired with tobacco, woods, and spices to enhance its smoky, smoother qualities—rarely used alone, it harmonises disparate elements into cohesive warmth.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 515 Fragrances