Synthetic

Caoutchouc

Note Profile

Botanical 2 perfumes

About

Caoutchouc is the scent of rubber, taken from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis. In practice it is made with synthetic materials that mimic raw or processed rubber. It smells rubbery and smoky, like freshly vulcanised rubber, with leathery and tar-like touches. It is industrial and slightly vegetal. It softens to a dry, slightly sweet smoke.

Scent Profile

Caoutchouc has a distinctive rubbery, smoky scent reminiscent of freshly vulcanized rubber, with subtle leathery and tar-like undertones. It can evoke nuances of burnt wood, ink, or even green sap, and its character is both industrial and slightly vegetal. Over time, it softens to reveal a persistent, dry, and slightly sweet smokiness.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~36h lasting

Family Woody & Earthy

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

What this is made of

Caoutchouc names no single substance

Reconstructed

Natural rubber; the note is a fault-adjacent impression.

How the layers join

Origin

Caoutchouc is derived from natural latex, the milky sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), but in perfumery it is typically represented by synthetic materials that mimic the scent of raw or processed rubber. These synthetics are created through organic chemical synthesis, as the natural material is not directly used in fragrance.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use caoutchouc primarily as a specialty note to introduce avant-garde, urban, or industrial effects, often in the heart or base of a composition. It blends well with leather, smoke, woody, and green notes, and is sometimes used to add depth or a modern twist to floral or fougère accords. Its presence is usually subtle, lending a unique signature without dominating the blend.