What Do Spices Smell Like In Perfume?

What do spices really smell like?

For centuries, perfumers have used a wide range of spices in their fragrance compositions. From warm cinnamon to energizing ginger, spices have provided a balance to heady white flowers and juicy fruits.

But what do the most popular spices in perfumery really smell like? Here’s our guide to what the spices in your favourite fragrances smell like:

The Scent Lodge Spice Guide:

Cinnamon: warm, spicy and sweet. Cinnamon adds depth to a floral fragrance. When paired with vanilla and chocolate, it creates a comforting gourmand facet

Cardamom: light, fresh aroma with minty and lemon undertones. Green cardamom is the freshest scent while black cardamom has a smoky character.

Clove: rich and aromatic with hints of sweetness, warmth and earthiness.

Coriander: sweet, suave and spicy character with soft, woody and peppery nuances.

Cumin: spicy, woody and aniseed aroma. Cumin works very well with amber notes.

Ginger: warm and spicy with a hint of sweetness. You’ll notice a hint of citrus with a woody facet. Ginger is used to add a sense of energy or enthusiasm to a composition.

Nutmeg: this complex ingredient layers warm, spicy, woody and sweet facets with a hint of bitterness. It is often used sparingly to add tension or interest in a fragrance.

Black pepper: sharp and slightly sweet, black pepper evokes feelings of excitement. It smells spicy, warm and sharp.

Pink pepper: rosy, spicy and a little sharp, pink pepper is described as being a cheerful perfumery note. This remarkable spice actually allows floral and woody ingredients to shine. Saffron: bittersweet, leathery, soft and intimate, with an earthy base.

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