Olfactory Family: Amber
Note Type: Base Note
Olfactory Profile
Warm, enveloping, resinous, and sensual. Amber notes often feel soft, sweet, balsamic, and comforting, with hints of vanilla, labdanum, and benzoin.
Origin & History
Historically, the word “amber” referred to two very different materials:
- Ambergris: a rare marine substance once used in luxury perfumery.
- Modern amber accord: today recreated using labdanum, vanilla, benzoin, and warm resins.
Because natural ambergris is ethically restricted today, perfumers use amber accords and synthetic molecules to recreate its warmth and depth.
Use in Perfumery
Amber is typically used as a base note, giving perfumes:
- depth
- longevity
- sensual warmth
- an oriental signature
It is essential in oriental perfumes, ambery florals, woody ambers, and gourmand-amber blends.
Olfactory Quote
“Amber is the warm memory of the skin.”
Learn More
Discover over 100 perfume notes, myths, and raw materials in the complete printed edition:
Atlas of Olfactory Notes & Myths (Amazon KDP)