Guaiacol (AC)

Guaiacol – The scent of smoldering wood and mystery

Guaiacol is like a campfire in a bottle: smoky, woody, with a hint of leather and an unexpectedly sweet undertone. It’s a fragrance that doesn’t whisper, but growls—perfect for perfumers who dare to play with contrast and character.

Fragrance profile

• Top: Phenolic, medicinal, slightly spicy
• Heart: Smoky wood, worked leather
• Base: Sweet balsamic, vanilla-like, warm
• Tenacity: Very strong – up to 280 hours on scent strip

Think of freshly split agarwood, an old library, or a leather jacket that has just been hanging above a fireplace.

Practical use in perfumery

Guaiacol is a base note with a lot of character. You use it:

• In smoke and leather accords : along with cade, castoreum, birch tar
• For contrast in floral scents : a touch of rose, hyacinth, daffodil or ylang-ylang adds depth
• In balsamic blends : with vanillin, labdanum, Peru balsam
• In niche perfumes : for a vintage, mystical or unisex signature

💡 Dosing tip: Start with 0.1–0.5% in your formula. Preferably dilute to 10% in DPG for accurate dosing

 

Trivia

• Natural occurrence: In agarwood, myrtle, cypress and geranium bourbon
• Synthetically available: For consistent quality and IFRA compliance
• Not soap stable: Avoid use in cold process soaps—may discolor
• Historical use: In smoked flavorings for food and in medicinal ointments