Spicy

Black cardamom smells like you've just cracked open a charred, smoky spice—imagine the warmth of regular cardamom's sweet, slightly minty green notes, but darkened and deepened as if roasted over smouldering wood. There's a peppery bite underneath, with whispers of camphor and menthol that clear your sinuses, yet it remains distinctly warm rather than sharp. It's the scent of an exotic spice market at dusk, with woodsmoke curling through the air. Less delicate than green cardamom, it feels almost medicinal in its intensity—think of walking into a traditional apothecary where dried botanicals line wooden shelves.

Woody

Imagine walking through damp earth after rain, then crushing dried autumn leaves in your hands. That's patchouli's essence: earthy, almost animalic, with a subtle sweetness lurking underneath. It smells vaguely like rich soil mixed with dried tobacco and a whisper of chocolate. There's a dark, slightly musty quality—think opening an antique wooden chest. It's grounding and intensely aromatic, never delicate. Fresh patchouli has peppery brightness; aged patchouli becomes deeper, warmer, almost leather-like.