Diving deeper into fragrance profiles.
Beyond the four main fragrance groups outlined here, fragrances can be clarified further into sub-groups. These more precise categories are debated regularly, with new groups being added from time-to-time.
At Godshot studio, we subscribe to a total of twelve distinct attributes to convey qualities of each fragrance, including oriental, aromatic, gourmand, amber, floral, soft floral, woody, green, fresh, aquatic, citrus, & fruity.
Fragrances often have qualities to varying degrees beyond a single attribute, and can evolve through different attributes throughout the day depending on which notes sit on which dimension of the scent profile – the top, the middle (or heart), or the base.
Oriental
indulgent · mysterious · exotic
Developed by renowned perfumer David Apple for A.N Other, OR/2018 is an exceptional example of an oriental fragrance, containing oriental notes across every olfactive level. OR/2018 is a hypnotic combination of exotic and intimate notes.
Top: Blood Orange / Star Anise / Lemon Sugar
Middle: Cannabis Accord / Myrrh / Night Blooming Jasmine
Base: Vanilla Crème / Tonka / Driftwood
Aromatic
warm · herbaceous · rugged
Bringing to mind lazy afternoons and the lingering smokiness that clings somewhat inconveniently to clothes, Cannabis by Malin + Goetz balances rich, spicy and herbaceous aromas with soft, floral notes of muguet and magnolia. The fragrance is grounded with a base of earthy cedarwood, patchouli and sandalwood.
Top: Bergamot / Black Pepper / Orange
Middle: Cannabis Accord / Muguet / Magnolia
Base: Cedarwood / Patchouli / Sandalwood / Amber / Musk
Gourmand
grounding · sensual · honeyed
Caramel Days by CRA-YON perfectly encapsulates the heart of gourmand. Opening with cosy notes of sweet caramel before blossoming into a gentle citrus blend of Brazilian orange and mandarin. Subtle notes of tropical coconut, jasmine and cacao lend sensual sunshine warmth and grounding to this feel-good fragrance.
Top: Coconut / Brazilian Orange / Italian Mandarin
Middle: Frangipani / Jasmine Egypt / Heliotrope
Base: Vanilla / Ambroxan / Cacao
Beyond these four main groups, fragrances can be clarified further into sub-groups. These more precise categories are debated regularly, with new groups being added from time-to-time.
At Godshot studio, we apply eight further attributes to convey scents, including soft floral, aromatic, amber, gourmand, green, aquatic, citrus & fruity.
On top of the four main attributes, this gives us twelve unique terms to clarify our fragrances.
Oriental
indulgent · mysterious · exotic
Rich spices as well as balmy resins are included in this category, as well as the ever-loved amber accord.
Oriental fragrances can feel softer when composed of fewer bold notes, for example vanilla and amber combined with lighter spices such as cloves – resulting in a more sensual fragrance.
When combined with fresh or floral notes, the resulting fragrance can feel more sparkly or whimsical, but when combined with deeper woody notes, the fragrance can feel more sultry and mysterious.
Common oriental notes include amber, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, saffron, myrrh, incense & leather.
Floral
nostalic · delicate · comforting
Ranging from the youthful rose, sultry jasmine, to delicate lily of the valley, florals can create a wide range of moods.
They can be softened by combining more understated florals, like violet, with a hint of sweetness or musk – resulting in a more delicate and powdery scent.
When stronger fresh or citrus notes are added, the resulting fragrance can feel more flirty, playful, summery.
The addition of warmer oriental or woody notes can have a deepening, more sensual or sultry effect.
Common floral notes include rose, jasmine, neroli, geranium, violet, ylang-ylang & lily of the valley.
Woody
rich · earthy · seductive
This group encompasses notes from trees, roots, resins, moss and some leaves and grasses that hold earthy qualities.
Lighter citrus or floral notes can cut through the weight of the woody notes, resulting in a more playful or flirty fragrance.
When combined with fresh notes, the fragrance can feel clean, natural, aquatic.
The combinations with woody notes are endless, as wood works exceptionally well as a long-lasting base to provide depth and grounding.
Common woody notes include sandalwood, cedar, oakmoss, pine, cypress, vetiver & patchouli.
Fresh
light · clean · refreshing
Traditionally fresh fragrances are zesty (more bitter) or fruity (more sweet), but more recently lighter woody and oriental scents have been combined to create fragrances with a feeling of natural freshness.
This category is the most abstract in that it doesn’t necessarily contain specific notes, but refers to the feeling of freshness created from a combination of notes.
Common fresh notes include lemon, bergamot, mandarin, apple, aquatic accord, grapefruit & strawberry.