Sumatra Benzoin

Note Profile

Botanical 2 perfumes

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About

Sumatra benzoin is the cinnamic-acid-ester grade of benzoin resin. The chemistry ties to the smell: p-coumaryl and coniferyl cinnamate dominate, and there is less vanillin than in the Siam grade. The result is a resin whose sweetness has an edge on it. Cinnamic spice comes up immediately, there is a styrenic sharpness, and the drydown runs towards unsweetened cocoa and smouldering wood. It is still a balsamic resin first. It is not a gourmand.

Scent Profile

Sumatra benzoin smells like a balsamic resin first, with a sweetness that has an edge. A cinnamic spice shows up immediately, with a sharp, styrenic edge. The drydown runs towards unsweetened cocoa and smouldering wood, a smoky finish rather than a sweet one.

ScentWheel

Breadthmedium

EnvelopeBase · ~30h lasting

Family Amber · Musk · Leather, Spicy, Sweet & Gourmand

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

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Materials That Can Make This Note

Perfumers can make Sumatra Benzoin from this natural extract.

Natural extract Benzoin resinoid, Sumatra balsamic · resinous · smoky

Smell words come from published sources.

A given perfume with this note may use this material, or something else.

Origin

The resin is tapped from Styrax benzoin and related species grown in Sumatra. Note that the perfumery material called styrax is a different thing: that is the balsam of Liquidambar, published here separately. Siam benzoin comes from Styrax tonkinensis in Laos and Thailand and is rich in benzoic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin. Sumatra is rich in cinnamic acid and cinnamates.

Usage in Perfumery

27 Parfumo placements across 18 brands. Fragrantica does not carry the qualified term. It is used where benzoin is used, as a base fixative and a sweetener, but a formulator picks the Sumatra grade when the composition wants spice and a slight burnt edge rather than the clean vanillic haze of Siam.