β-Gurjunene is a sesquiterpene that occurs naturally in resinous and woody botanical materials (such as Acorus calamus and Pinus species).

It typically contributes to:

• depth
• heat
• wood structure
• resinous nuances

Thus, it functions as a base note in perfume compositions.

 

β-Gurjunene has a warm, woody, resinous character reminiscent of:

• dried wood
• soft pine resin
• warm, balsamic undertones
• a subtle earthy depth

It is not a dominant fragrance ingredient by itself, but a textural and nuance giver that makes a composition feel fuller, warmer and more natural.

 

Top

• Virtually no top note impact
• Very slight terpene freshness on first opening, but subtle

Heart

• Warm woody
• Slightly balsamic
• Soft pine resin associations
• A natural, “dry” wood tone with no smoke or burning

Basic

• Earthy-warm
• Subtle amber
• Fixing, gives body to other wood and resin materials
• Enhances the depth of sesquiterpene-rich oils (patchouli, vetiver, guaiac)

 

Character traits

• Soft but persistent: not loud, but long-lasting presence
• Round and warm: no sharp edges
• Naturally woody: ideal for those who want to round out synthetic “clean woods”
• Compatible with resins: benzoin, labdanum, elemi, copaiba

 

Use in perfumery

1. As a wood enhancer

β-Gurjunene is often used to:

• make sandalwood notes fuller
• make cedar smell less dry and more “alive”
• give patchouli a warmer, balsamic undertone

It acts as a natural wood-booster.

2. In resin and balsamic accords.

Perfect in combinations with:

• labdanum
• benzoin
• elemi
• copaiba
• peru balm

It gives these chords depth, warmth and a natural wood texture.

3. In amber and oriental compositions.

It reinforces:

• amber heat
• balsamic roundness
• the “core” of an oriental chord

It is not a sweet amber, but a dry, warm amber base.

4. In natural or nature-based perfumes

Because it is a natural sesquiterpene, it is used to:

• soften synthetic wood notes
• make a perfume smell more “organic”
• create a natural signature without using harsh resins

5. As a fixative

While not a heavy fixative like patchouli or vetiver, it contributes to:

• durability of wood and resin nuts
• completion of the basics
• stability of terpene-rich oils

6. In male and unisex compositions

Its warm, dry wood character makes it ideal for:

• fougères
• wood perfumes
• amberwood scents
• unisex natural fragrances

 

Combinations that work particularly well

• Patchouli + β-Gurjunene → warm, woody, deeper
• Cedarwood + β-Gurjunene → less dry, more rounded
• Sandalwood + β-Gurjunene → creamier, fuller
• Labdanum + β-Gurjunene → ambery, warm, balsamic
• Guaiac + β-Gurjunene → smoky-warm without sharpness

Complementary fragrances (work particularly well together)

• Sandalwood (EO or molecules) – creamy rounding
• Guaiacwood – soft smoke and balsamic heat
• Copaiba Balsam – natural wood heat
• Amyris – soft, sweet-woody body
• Ambrettolide – warm, musky rounding
• Iso E Super – transparent wood elevator
• Cashmeran – warm, musky-woody diffusion

 

Similar to β-Gurjunene

• Cedrol – soft, creamy wood
• Guaiol – warm, balsamic wood
• Bisabolene (α/β) – mildly woody, warm, soft
• Santalol (sandalwood molecules) – creamy, warm, woody
• Elemicin – balsamic, warm, slightly spicy
• Copaene – soft wood heat, subtle
• Bulnesol – warm, balsamic, woody

Briefly:

β-Gurjunene → similar to soft balsamic wood substances; complementary to sandalwood, guaiac, cashmeran.