An iconic European construction that perfectly balances citrus (often lemon, bergamot, orange), flower waters (neroli, rose), and herbs (rosemary, lavender). Light, fresh, coastal airs.
Concrete
An accord that brings teeth rattling woody ambers together with silky metallic musks. Brutalist fumes!)
Copaiba balsam
I’m fascinated with the idea of Occidental Ambers, as we often associate amber with the east. Since many balsamic and resinous trees thrive in tropical weather, we can find many such plants in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Many of these resins (palo santon cabreuva, cascarilla) display woodier characteristics and would not necessarily be categorized as an “amber”. However, Copaiba Balsam distilled from the resin of the Copaifera Officinalus tree works as a “white amber” with its peppery dry musky aroma.
Copal
I’m fascinated with the idea of Occidental Ambers, as we often associate amber with the east. Since many balsamic and resinous trees thrive in tropical weather, we can find many such plants in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Many of these resins (palo santon cabreuva, cascarilla) display woodier characteristics and would not necessarily be categorized as an “amber”. However, Copaiba Balsam distilled from the resin of the Copaifera Officinalus tree works as a “white amber” with its peppery dry musky aroma.
Real eucalyptus in the world is profoundly green with a deep floral spice. The oil enlivens us but must be dosed accordingly and rounded or else can make something smell like the spa.
Also called fougere, fern is a classic accord of oakmoss-hay-lavender absolute that smells liek more than the sum of it's parts. It is the de facto old man accord that can be modified endlessly.
Fig is crowd pleaser. It’s an accord made of molecules that smell of milky coconuts and tomato leaves respectively. Fig has become something of its own genre often blended with green notes, flowers, and wood.
Fig is crowd pleaser. It’s an accord made of molecules that smell of milky coconuts and tomato leaves respectively. Fig has become something of its own genre often blended with green notes, flowers, and wood.
Fir balsam recalls old forests. It is a dank ambery balsam that recalls the land of faeries, dryads, druids, Robinhood and the like. It is strong with maple sweet power that modifies chypres, fougere, and amber bases.
Frangipani
Also called Plumeria, a tropical flower that loves to be where good times are had. Soft woody green tones over white flowers. Called champa in India, not to be confused with champaca which is a magnolia species.
Galbanum
Green bitter gum resin of Iran. Strong visions of the inside of stems, leaves, grasses and all crushed flower parts. Literally biblical as well. Bewitchingly vegetal top note. Am I fresh? Am I off-putting? I am galbanum.
