What does Rosewood smell like?
Rosewood smells like a pale, smooth wood with a clear floral facet reminiscent of rose, lily of the valley and lavender. There is also a lightly spicy, peppery touch and an almost lemony freshness. Nothing about it is dark or smoky. On skin it brings a transparent softness that tames rougher woods and forms a graceful bridge toward floral notes, keeping a composition bright and polished.
Origin and production
Rosewood oil is distilled from the wood of Aniba rosaeodora, a tree of the Amazon rainforest, mainly in Brazil and Peru. Very rich in linalool, it was heavily exploited during the twentieth century, to the point of threatening the species, now listed in CITES Appendix II. Perfumers today mostly use substitutes: ho wood, natural or synthetic linalool, or oils from managed plantations and controlled sources.
How perfumers use it
Rosewood sits in the top or heart, easing the transition from freshness to woods. It pairs with cardamom, lavender, oud, sandalwood and flowers. Tom Ford's Oud Wood opens with it alongside cardamom, D&G Light Blue pour Homme pairs it with juniper and rosemary, and Xerjoff's Alexandria II blends it with lavender and cinnamon. It adds polish and a soft, rosy glow to woody structures.
How to wear it
Wearable all year, rosewood suits people who like elegant, bright, easy woods with no austerity.
