Scent families
The accord language, in plain words
An accord is the overall impression a fragrance gives, built from several notes. These are the 25 we use, the same vocabulary the fragrance forums use.
Dry to creamy woods: cedar, sandalwood, vetiver and guaiac.589 bottlesBright, zesty lift from bergamot, lemon, grapefruit and orange peels.450 bottlesA bouquet of flowers such as jasmine, peony, freesia and violet.430 bottlesWarm, resinous glow from labdanum, benzoin and amber accords.430 bottlesDamp, rooty depth from patchouli, vetiver and oakmoss.362 bottlesSoft, skin-like musks that sit close and clean.344 bottlesJuicy fruit notes such as apple, pear, peach, berries and pineapple.340 bottlesVanilla bean in the lead, from creamy to boozy.310 bottlesEdible, dessert-like notes such as chocolate, coffee, pistachio and milk.243 bottlesCool, peppery sparkle from pink pepper, ginger, cardamom and similar spices.225 bottlesHerbal, barbershop freshness from lavender, sage, rosemary and other herbs.208 bottlesCosy, kitchen-cupboard heat from cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and saffron.176 bottlesRose in the lead, from fresh and dewy to dark and jammy.147 bottlesCreamy, heady blooms: tuberose, orange blossom, gardenia, jasmine sambac.137 bottlesSoft, cosmetic, make-up-bag texture from iris, orris, violet and heliotrope.118 bottlesIncense, burning wood and smoke.109 bottlesSugary warmth from caramel, praline, candy and similar notes.104 bottlesLiqueur warmth from rum, cognac, whisky and similar spirits.96 bottlesClean, airy and modern; reads as just-showered or crisp air.88 bottlesSupple to smoky leather, often with suede or birch tar.87 bottlesWarm, sensual animal-derived accords like civet, castoreum and ambergris.78 bottlesAgarwood: dark, smoky-animalic resin prized in Middle Eastern perfumery.73 bottlesLeafy, snapped-stem freshness from galbanum, tea, leaves and grass.70 bottlesSea air, salt and water notes; the classic blue fragrance feel.42 bottlesSweet, hay-like pipe tobacco and tobacco leaf.35 bottles