Black Copal Resin
Note Profile
About
Black copal is the dark grade of copal resin. It is heavier and less bright than the white grade: balsamic and earthy, with a green, fruity, caramel edge that some origins show strongly and others not at all.
Scent Profile
Amber_resinous leads and it is the only thing four sellers on three continents agree on. Scents of Earth calls the Philippine material a 'strong, mysterious, heavy, balsamic, even mystical fragrance'. Earthy is The Dragon Tree's 'rich, earthy aroma', which is the US retail reading. Green and fruity are the Peruvian reading, where Apothecary's Garden finds a 'lovely sweet, fruity green fragrance' and an emerald-green distillate. Sweet_vanillic is the caramel in the same listing. Dry_woody is the resin's own substrate. Below that, smoky, citrus and warm_spice all sit, because The Dragon Tree keeps a 'grounding blend of citrus and spice' while the Peruvian source reports nothing smoky at all. Floral records 'light floral notes' from one listing only. The spreads on earthy, green, fruity, smoky and citrus are on purpose. They are the width of a real disagreement between origins, not noise.
ScentWheel
Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.
Origin
A trade colour grade, not one botanical species. Black copal is sold as Protium copal from Guatemala, Protium paniculatum sold as copal negro from Peru, aged and oxidised Bursera resin from Mexico, and darkened Agathis or Manila copal from the Philippines. It is burned as incense far more often than it is distilled. Apothecary's Garden reports that the Peruvian material 'yields a gorgeous and fragrant emerald green essential oil when distilled'. The published Copal note already carries the white and Mexican grades as aliases. This row is the dark grade only.
Usage in Perfumery
Measured 2026-08-30: 3 Parfumo placements across 2 brands, and none on Fragrantica. Use it where copal is wanted as a base weight rather than as a bright resinous top.
Similar Notes
Perfumes featuring Black Copal Resin
A selection of reviewed perfumes where Black Copal Resin appears prominently.
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