Oriental

25 perfumes

About

Warm, exotic, spicy-sweet

Scent Profile

Oriental accords are characterized by a warm, rich, and exotic scent profile, often combining sweet notes like vanilla and benzoin with spicy or resinous elements such as incense and saffron. They tend to have a deep, enveloping quality with pronounced sweetness and a lingering, sensual warmth.

Citrus 1%

Floral 3%

Fruity 0%

Green 1%

Sweet 42%

Warm 37%

Woody 14%

Earthy 16%

Animalic 10%

Fresh 1%

Signature Notes

Notes most distinctively associated with Oriental fragrances.

Cinnamon 446

Oud 196

Incense 434

Sandalwood 1608

Benzoin 474

Amber 1541

Saffron 418

Vanilla 2082

Common Notes

Notes most frequently found in Oriental fragrances.

Labdanum 392

Cinnamon 446

Oud 196

Tonka Bean 857

Musk 2576

Incense 434

Sandalwood 1608

Benzoin 474

Amber 1541

Saffron 418

Vanilla 2082 Opium 1

History

The Oriental accord emerged in Western perfumery in the early 20th century, notably with the launch of Guerlain's Shalimar in 1925. Its inspiration draws from ingredients and olfactory traditions associated with the Middle East and Asia, reflecting a fascination with exoticism in early modern perfumery.

In Perfumery

Perfumers use Oriental accords primarily as the foundation for base notes, providing longevity and richness to a fragrance. They are commonly paired with floral, woody, or amber notes to create depth and complexity, and are especially prevalent in evening and cold-weather fragrances.