March 21, 2022 3 min read

 

LEATHER IN BOURBON

In the world of perfumery, there are many times when the term “spicy” is used to describe an aroma. 


Of course, that begs the question, just what does “spicy” mean? What makes up a “spicy” aroma, and what are the spices used? Traditionally, when we speak about spicy food, we don’t often have something like Cinnamon come to mind, yet that is one of the many elements of a fragrance that’s often described as “spicy.” 


Furthermore, spicy food can often be a divisive topic for some. How many dates have started on the wrong foot because someone mentioned they didn’t like spicy food? Quite a lot, we imagine. 


So, in today's blog, we’ll be talking about the nature of spices in fragrance creation and how spices feature in our collection of scents to give you the ultimate olfactory experience. 


Read on! 


Spices Everywhere

One of the more curious elements of spicy notes is that they don’t represent and singular facet of any scent family. Instead, spices occupy just about every other family of scents in some partisan manner, particularly woody and eastern fragrances and accords. 


To many, this can come across as strange given that spices made up a considerable part of trade economies for previous eras in human history, with spices being traded as goods between Eastern and Western civilizations for millennia. 



Perfumes Secret Weapon

 

PLUM IN COGNAC

In many cases, the reason spices don’t conform to any singular definition lies in the sheer variety of experiences spices can unlock. Consider how Ginger can become delicate and soapy, while Nutmeg can feel earthy and aromatic, or how Cloves can feel smoky and hot to the senses. The variety of spices and how they’re experienced is nearly endless!


However, to help figure out what is what, it’s best to divide spices into a simple binary of “hot” and “cold” spices: 


  • Hot spices refer to any spice that creates a sensation of heat when experienced. Think of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 
  • Cold spices are considered to be any spice that feels more aromatic. Cold spices are often used as top notes, with cardamom, ginger, and coriander considered ideal examples. 


Our Spices 

 

SANDALWOOD IN OAK

In our Scents of Wood collection, spices play an integral part in our fragrance creations, forming the valuable heart and top notes of our scents and acting as ideal compliments to the earthy, smokey aromas that make up our signature base notes. 


Our Sandalwood in Oak fragrance is a perfect example of how spices can factor in our scents. The perfume uses an earthy and mossy oak base to create a strong foundation while utilizing creamy sandalwood as a calming top note.


Within the heart note lies intense spices of Pepper and Nutmeg that combine with a further earthy note of Burnt Sage to create a profound experience at every stage of the fragrance's lifespan.


This can be seen again in our Leather In Bourbon fragrance. The powerful notes of both Leather and Bourbon are further enhanced by an exciting collection of spices that lend an additional element of ruggedness and adventure to the bouquet.


That’s it for today’s blog, be sure to check back in the week as we delve deeper into the exciting world of luxury barrel-aged scents for the home and personal use.