Oak

What it brings

A woody, vanillic depth.

Origins and uses

The oak of perfumery is closely linked to that of coopers. As they age in oak casks, wines and spirits take on compounds from the wood: vanillin, with its vanilla notes; lactones, which evoke coconut; tannins; and, when the cask is toasted, roasted, smoky and spicy notes. Sessile oak (Quercus petraea), with its tight grain, is particularly sought after for these barrels.

In perfumery, an absolute of oak wood is used in particular. It smells of the ageing cask: dry wood, vanilla, soft spices and a hint of brown spirit. It is placed in the heart or base, where it gives depth to gourmand, amber or leather accords.

In our catalogue, oak forms the heart of Angels' Share by Kilian Paris, with cinnamon, beneath a top of cognac; it also accompanies the whisky of Smokin' Gun by Born To Stand Out and Tobacco Vanille Parfum by Tom Ford.