Woody fragrances are built on raw materials from the trunk and root of the world. Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli are the four cornerstones. Add guaiac, oakmoss and cashmere wood and you have the entire chypre tradition plus modern niche woods.
Mysore sandalwood is the most prized, with cream and milk facets that finish almost gourmand. Virginia and Atlas cedarwood bring pencil-shaving dry warmth. Haitian vetiver is rooty, smoky and earth-bound. Indonesian patchouli is dark, rich and ages beautifully on skin.
Woods anchor the base of nearly every serious perfume. They project quietly and last all day. They pair particularly well with leather, amber, oud and incense for cold-weather composition, or with citrus and aromatics for a refined fougere or chypre.
Wear in autumn and winter, evening, and on wool or cashmere. Skin heat brings the cedar-pencil and sandalwood-cream out in a way that no diffuser ever could.
