Olibanum is simply the perfumer's trade name for frankincense, the aromatic resin tapped from Boswellia trees. It smells citrusy, smoky and balsamic, with a cool, meditative heart and a faint peppery lift.
The name olibanum comes from the Arabic al-luban meaning 'the milk', referring to the milky resin that seeps from cut bark. Boswellia sacra from Oman's Dhofar region produces the finest oil, while Boswellia carterii from Somalia, Boswellia frereana and Boswellia papyrifera from Ethiopia supply most commercial volume. Steam distillation yields an essential oil rich in alpha-pinene and limonene. CO2 extraction produces a richer, more resinous material. Olibanum has been used in temple incense for over five thousand years.
Olibanum is a base note with heart-level reach. Perfumers use it to build incense accords, to add cool smoke to rose and oud, and to give modern oriental compositions a sacred gravitas. It pairs naturally with myrrh, labdanum, rose and oud.
Olibanum performs best in autumn, winter and cooler evenings.
