Floral

Imagine walking through an English cottage garden on a dewy morning in late spring—that's May rose absolute. It smells intensely floral, almost intoxicating, with a deep, honeyed richness far more complex than a fresh-cut rose. There's a subtle fruitiness underneath (like dried apricots), a whisper of spice, and an almost creamy, indolic warmth that feels slightly green and slightly animalic. It's opulent and slightly heady—the smell of petals that have been slowly warming in the sun.

Citrus

Raspberry smells like jammy sweetness with a bright, tart edge—imagine biting into a perfectly ripe berry where juice floods your mouth with natural sugar, then that tangy pinch hits your tongue. It's not overly fruity or artificial; rather, it's warm and slightly honeyed, with a whisper of green leafiness underneath. There's an almost candied quality, like raspberry preserves warming on a shelf, mixed with the fresh snap of berries at a summer market. It's simultaneously juicy and delicate, never heavy.