Patchouli at a glance
The Patchouli note appears across 2,337 published fragrances in our catalog. Use this page to compare how different brands work with Patchouli within the earthy family.
- Note family
- Earthy
- Published fragrances
- 2,337
- Frequent brands on this page
- Alexander McQueen, Bois 1920, Czech & Speake
- Common concentrations
- Eau De Toilette, Absolu De Parfum, Parfum
Notable Patchouli Fragrances
- 1
Angel Eau de Parfum contrasts patchouli with praline, red-fruit and vanilla sweetness. It is a useful example of earthiness shaping a gourmand composition.
- 2
Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum frames orange, jasmine and rose with patchouli
- 3
Black Orchid Eau de Parfum places patchouli in a dark floral composition with truffle and a sweet gourmand effect. The note contributes to a deliberately rich setting.
- 4
Coromandel Eau de Parfum centers on patchouli, vanilla and benzoin
- 5
Ambre 114 places patchouli among aromatic spice, woods, vanilla
- 6
- 7
Psychédélique keeps patchouli at the center, with citrus above and vanilla, amber
Pairs With
Forms of Patchouli
About Patchouli
+−
Patchouli oil comes from the leaves and stems of Pogostemon cablin, an aromatic plant. Its woody smell can be misleading: the source is foliage, not tree wood.
Processing provides different ways to use the material. IFF’s Patchouli Heart is made through distillation and fractionation. A separate route is illustrated by DSM-Firmenich’s Clearwood, a biotechnology-derived material with patchouli-like qualities. A fraction of natural oil and a separately manufactured aroma material are different products.
In a composition, patchouli can support the contrast between fresh citrus and a darker base, add earthiness beneath flowers, or temper gourmand sweetness. Compare Angel’s praline setting with Coromandel’s resinous vanilla and Coco Mademoiselle’s citrus-floral structure to see why one note can produce quite different perfumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is patchouli a wood?+−
The oil comes from an aromatic plant’s leaves and stems, although its smell is often classified as woody. An odor family is not a description of the plant part.
Does patchouli always smell earthy?+−
Earthiness is a characteristic facet, but the oil grade and the finished composition can emphasize smoother woody, balsamic or sweeter qualities.
What is a patchouli fraction?+−
It is a processed portion of patchouli oil used to emphasize a different balance of its constituents. It is distinct from a separately manufactured material with a patchouli-like smell.
Does patchouli perfume contain patchouli oil?+−
It can contain oil, processed fractions, other aroma materials or a combination. The note name is a sensory description unless the maker also supplies ingredient information.
