Thyme Perfumes & Fragrances

Thyme smells sharp, herbal and slightly medicinal, with a camphorous lift and a warm aromatic heart. It evokes Mediterranean scrubland, rocky hills and sun-warmed kitchen gardens.

The oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops of Thymus vulgaris and related species, mainly in Spain, Morocco, France and Turkey. Different chemotypes yield different oils: thymol-rich thyme is hot and medicinal, linalool-rich thyme is softer and more floral, geraniol-rich thyme is rosy-herbal. Red thyme is the unrectified crude oil; white thyme is the redistilled gentler form used in perfumery. Thyme has been used in perfumery since ancient Egypt.

Thyme is a top note with good persistence. Perfumers use it in aromatic fougeres and masculine classics (Givenchy Gentleman, Azzaro Pour Homme), to add Mediterranean lift to citrus colognes, and to give modern aromatic compositions a rugged herbal character. It pairs beautifully with lavender, rosemary, bergamot and vetiver.

Thyme performs best in spring, summer and warm weather, and suits aromatic masculine signatures.