Synthetic

Coal Tar

Note Profile

Natural

Scent Profile

Coal tar has a distinctive, smoky-leathery aroma with medicinal, phenolic, and tarry nuances. Its scent is intense and persistent, evoking creosote, burnt wood, and asphalt, with subtle undertones of rubber and ink. Over time, it can reveal a slightly sweet, resinous facet beneath the dominant smoky character.

Citrus 0%

Floral 0%

Fruity 0%

Green 0%

Sweet 0%

Warm 20%

Woody 0%

Earthy 55%

Animalic 0%

Fresh 0%

Origin

Coal tar is a byproduct of the destructive distillation of coal, primarily sourced from the coking process in steel production. It is a complex mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, and other organic compounds, and is used in perfumery in highly purified, controlled forms due to its potency and regulatory restrictions.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use coal tar in trace amounts to impart smoky, leathery, or medicinal effects, often in leather, tobacco, or avant-garde compositions. It is typically used as a base note, providing depth and persistence, and blends well with birch tar, labdanum, patchouli, and woody accords.