Tuberose smells heady, creamy and unapologetically sensual, with a buttery white-floral heart, a green rubber-like facet and a narcotic, almost overwhelming richness. It is the most intoxicating flower in perfumery.
The plant is Polianthes tuberosa (now reclassified as Agave amica), a bulb native to Mexico and now grown commercially in India, Egypt, Morocco and southern France. Night-blooming flowers are hand-picked at dawn and solvent-extracted to yield a concrete and then an absolute. Historically, enfleurage (capturing aroma in animal fat) was used in Grasse, but the technique has almost disappeared. Tuberose absolute is rich, creamy and expensive.
Tuberose is a heart note and a powerhouse. Perfumers use it as the defining flower of statement florals (Fracas, Carnal Flower, Gucci Bloom), to round out jasmine and gardenia compositions, and to give orientals a sensual, almost erotic warmth. It pairs beautifully with jasmine, orange blossom, sandalwood and benzoin.
Tuberose performs best in warm weather and evening wear.
