Caryophyllene Acetate is a warm, dry, elegant wood molecule with gentle spiciness, subtle fruitiness and a rounded, mature warmth that gives compositions depth and balance.

 

Fragrance profile – Caryophyllene Acetate

First impression (top)

Caryophyllene Acetate opens with a soft, dry wood tone that immediately feels warm and inviting. Unlike the sharper β-caryophyllene, this ester does not have a peppery bite, but a much rounder, mildly spicy opening.

You smell:

• a light, elegant spiciness (think white pepper, but softer)
• a dry, almost dusty wood note
• a very subtle fruity facet, as if a hint of peach or dried apricot floats through it

It is a molecule that immediately gives a comfortable, warm feeling.

 

Heart (mid-notes)

At the heart, Caryophyllene Acetate develops into a full, warm woody accord with a sophisticated spiciness. The fruity nuance remains present, but becomes more subtle and integrated with the wood.

The heart phase is:

• dry woody, but never sharp
• earthy, with a soft humic warmth
• spicy, but in an elegant, rounded way
• slightly balsamic, as if there were a hint of resin or amber in it

The heart is where Caryophyllene Acetate shows its role as “round maker”: it softens hard edges and gives structure to the whole.

 

Base (drydown)

At its base, the molecule becomes deeper, warmer and more “grounded.” The spiciness subsides and gives way to a creamy, dry wood warmth.

The drydown is:

• warm wood, almost sandalwood-like but drier
• subtle amber without being sweet
• slightly smoky, but very refined
• stable and soft, with a slight fixing effect

It remains present for a long time, but never dominant. It is a supportive base note that allows other materials to shine.

 

How it behaves in perfumes

• Soften sharp spices (pepper, cloves, nutmeg)
• Gives body to wood accords (cedar, sandalwood, vetiver)
• Anchors florals (rose, ylang, jasmine)
• Adds warmth to citrus (bergamot, grapefruit)
• Acts as a light fixator
• Fills gaps in wood and amber compositions
• It is friendly: never dominant, never shouty
• It makes perfumes more mature and elegant
• It is a bridge between wood, spices, amber and florals
• It gives a perfume texture and warmth without sweetness
• Ideal in amber, oriental, wood, fougère and unisex perfumes

 

Funny facts

• It is also found in cloves, basil, cinnamon ánd cannabis, but does not smell like weed at all -.
• Perfumers sometimes call it “the gentleman wood” because it smells so soft and polite.
• Old perfumery books described it as “putty for wood accords” because it subtly fills in gaps in a composition.