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.

Floral

Tagetes smells like a peculiar marriage of bitter herbs and sweet flowers—imagine crushed marigold petals mixed with petrol and anise. There's a sharp, almost peppery greenness, with whispers of carnation and clove. It's not immediately "pretty," rather it's pungent and slightly medicinal, reminiscent of crushed tomato leaves on a summer's day. Some detect honeyed undertones, but it's fundamentally an acquired, sophisticated scent that feels more botanical than traditionally floral.