Woody notes smell like the heart of a forest—imagine freshly sanded cedarwood, the warm grain of an old library's wooden shelves, or the dry, slightly resinous interior of a pencil box. They're earthy yet refined, never damp or mouldy, but rather warm and mineral-like. Think of walking through a coniferous forest after rain, where the smell is clean, slightly peppery, and deeply comforting. Some woody notes carry a subtle sweetness, whilst others feel austere and almost architectural—like polished oak or sandalwood's creamy warmth.
Woody notes derive from tree resins, heartwood, and bark—primarily cedarwood (Atlas, Virginian, and Himalayan varieties), sandalwood, vetiver, and oud. These come from sustainably harvested or cultivated sources globally: Morocco for cedarwood oil, India for sandalwood, Haiti for vetiver roots. Extraction occurs through steam distillation or CO₂ extraction, capturing the wood's essential oils. Synthetically, molecules like iso E super revolutionised woody fragrances, offering stability and consistency that natural woods cannot always provide. Oud, precious agarwood, has become increasingly rare due to overharvesting.
Woody notes anchor fragrances, providing longevity and depth. They act as a "base" that grounds more volatile top notes, emerging after two to three hours to sustain the scent for hours. Perfumers layer them to add richness, dryness, or warmth depending on composition. They're the structural skeleton of sophisticated fragrances, offering sophistication and timelessness.
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