Opoponax is the gum-resin tapped from incisions in Commiphora erythraea, a small tree native to East Africa and southern Arabia. The resin smells balsamic, warm, slightly cinnamon-edged, with a creamy-myrrh undertone that perfumers prize for amber and oriental bases. It has been a classical perfumery material since the 19th century, used in Guerlain Shalimar (1925) and many of Caron's heritage compositions, and has resurfaced in modern niche releases including Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur and several Roja Parfums oriental compositions. Opoponax pairs naturally with vanilla, labdanum, sandalwood, and benzoin to build the deep-resin core of amber accords. The material reads warmer than incense and softer than myrrh. Browse opoponax-led fragrances at the opoponax collection.
