SPICY NOTES

Spicy notes cover a range of aromatic impressions, from cinnamon’s warm, dry sweetness to the greener, fresher character of cardamom. They do not always smell hot, heavy or edible. A spice effect can sharpen a floral composition, give woods a warmer edge or bring an aromatic contrast to a sweet fragrance. Which character stands out depends on the chosen materials and their balance.

The label describes a scent family rather than one ingredient or spice mixture. Natural materials include distilled spice oils and other extracts: cardamom, for example, is available as both essential oil and absolute. Individual molecules can also contribute spicy facets, as terpinyl acetate does with a cardamom-like accent. A listing of spices does not establish which of these materials is present, and it cannot prescribe a heart or base position, strength or lasting power for every perfume.