Aromatic

The aromatic accord is one of the oldest and most beloved in perfumery, drawing on the fragrant herbs of the Mediterranean to create scents that smell simultaneously fresh, herbal, and faintly medicinal. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, and mint are the pillars of this family, joined by eucalyptus and other camphoraceous plants that add bracing clarity.

Aromatic fragrances were central to the development of the fougere family (think classic barbershop colognes), where lavender and coumarin created the template for men's fragrance that lasted much of the 20th century. Today aromatic notes appear across genders and contexts, from sharp green colognes to meditative spa compositions to rugged outdoors fragrances.

Aromatic accords pair naturally with citrus, woody, fresh spicy, and herbal families. If clean, botanical freshness appeals to you, the lavender, green, and herbal categories offer closely related experiences.