Gunpowder
Synthetic

Gunpowder

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Note Profile

Natural 24 perfumes

Also Known As

Gun Powder

About

Gunpowder in perfumery is a bold, smoky, and metallic note with hints of sulfur, minerals, and a subtle burnt quality. It often evokes the acrid scent of fireworks, spent cartridges, or black powder, adding a dramatic and edgy character to fragrances. This note is typically achieved through a creative blend of synthetic and natural materials to mimic the explosive, dry, and slightly sharp profile of real gunpowder.

Scent Profile

Gunpowder in perfumery presents a smoky, metallic aroma with pronounced mineral and sulfuric facets. It carries nuances of charred wood, flint, and a subtle acrid sharpness reminiscent of spent fireworks or cartridge casings. The note evolves from an initial dry, almost dusty impression to a lingering, cool mineral finish.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused
EnvelopeHeart · ~12h lasting

Origin

This note is not extracted from actual gunpowder but is constructed using a combination of synthetic molecules such as isobutyl quinoline, metallic aldehydes, and traces of smoky accords. Occasionally, natural materials like birch tar or black pepper are included to enhance authenticity. The composition is designed to evoke the olfactory impression of gunpowder without containing explosive substances.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers employ gunpowder as a heart or accent note to impart drama, tension, or an urban edge to modern compositions. It is often blended with leather, woods, spices, or mineral notes to create avant-garde or niche fragrances. Its distinctive character is used sparingly to avoid overpowering other elements in a blend.

A variety of Smoky

Similar Notes

Ebony Ebony 105 Buddha Wood Buddha Wood 3 Muhuhu Muhuhu Teak Teak 91 Driftwood Driftwood 129 Papyrus Papyrus 247 Coal Tar Coal Tar Smoky

Common Accords

Smoky
Smoky 2034

Perfumes featuring Gunpowder

A selection of reviewed perfumes where Gunpowder appears prominently.

Browse all 24 perfumes featuring Gunpowder