Woody

Birch

Note Profile

Botanical 462 perfumes

Also Known As

Birch Smoke, Birch Wood, Birchwood, White Birch

About

Leathery, smoky birch

Scent Profile

Birch has a distinctive leathery, smoky aroma with tar-like and slightly burnt wood nuances. Its scent can evoke the impression of charred timber, campfire smoke, and cured leather, with a persistent dry warmth. Over time, the smokiness mellows, revealing subtle woody undertones.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~16h lasting

Family Fresh & Citrus

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

Birch names no single substance

A natural extract

Birch TAR oil (IFRA NCS) - the smoky leather material. Deliberately not 'Birch, sweet, oil', which is methyl salicylate and smells of wintergreen.

How the layers join

Origin

Birch is sourced primarily from the bark of the Betula species, especially Betula pendula and Betula alba. The key material used in perfumery is birch tar, obtained through destructive distillation of the bark, yielding a dark, viscous oil rich in phenolic compounds.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use birch tar mainly as a base note to impart leather and smoke effects, especially in leather accords and classic chypre compositions. It blends well with notes like labdanum, castoreum, patchouli, and vetiver, and is used sparingly due to its intensity and regulatory restrictions.