Cypriol Perfumes & Fragrances

Cypriol smells smoky, earthy and slightly woody, with a leather-tobacco heart and a faint animalic warmth. It is often described as the Indian cousin of vetiver and a natural bridge between woods and oud.

The raw material is the root of Cyperus scariosus, a sedge grass native to India (locally called nagarmotha), where it has been used in traditional perfumery for centuries. Roots are steam-distilled or CO2-extracted to produce a dark viscous oil. Cypriol is one of the ingredients that defines authentic Indian attars and is used as a softer, cheaper alternative to oud in many Middle Eastern and Asian compositions.

Cypriol is a base note. Perfumers use it to add smoky earthiness to modern woody compositions (Penhaligon's Opus 1870, Amouage Memoir Man), to deepen oud and leather accords, and to bring an authentic Asian signature to niche fragrance. It pairs beautifully with oud, rose, patchouli, tobacco and incense.

Cypriol performs best in autumn, winter and evening wear, and suits rich, grown-up signatures with an Eastern character.