Which patchouli perfume should I compare first?

Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum shows a bright citrus-floral setting, Coromandel an ambery vanilla setting, and Psychédélique a more direct earthy-amber focus. Angel is useful if you want to understand its contrast with gourmand sweetness.

Earthy

Patchouli

Patchouli smells earthy and woody, with possible camphoraceous, damp-leaf, balsamic or cocoa-like facets. Some interpretations emphasize dark soil and wood; others feel smoother and cleaner. Sweetness and flowers can change its character considerably.

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: Amouage, Clean, Comme des Garçons
Common concentrations: Eau De Parfum, Eau De Toilette, Parfum

Notable Patchouli Fragrances

1
Mugler
Angel
eau de parfum
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
Chanel
Coco Mademoiselle
eau de parfum
Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum frames orange, jasmine and rose with patchouli
3
Tom Ford
Black Orchid
eau de parfum
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
Chanel
Coromandel
eau de parfum
Coromandel Eau de Parfum centers on patchouli, vanilla and benzoin
5
Histoires de Parfums
Ambre 114
eau de parfum
Ambre 114 places patchouli among aromatic spice, woods, vanilla
6
Creed
Aventus
eau de parfum
Aventus sets patchouli and birch beneath a fruity bergamot
7
Jovoy
Psychédélique
eau de parfum
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.