Cedar

The Cedar Tree (what does cedar symbolize?):

Native to the Mountains of the Himalayas, the Cedar is a testimony to nature’s duality. Fierce and resolute, yet elegant and tender, the tree, a member of the coniferous family and known commonly as simply Cedar, has served alongside humans for thousands of years.

The tree stands tall in stature, reaching towering heights of up to eighty feet in a steadfast display of strength. Its rich, red-hued wood has been used for carpentry and home-building, proof of the wood’s useful and protective quality. But peel away the cedar tree’s winding fibrous bark and you’ll find a fragrant and sensual heartwood with medicinal and spiritual uses dating back to ancient times.

The Egyptians trusted Cedar in the construction of sarcophagi, as well as the ships constructed in the pyramids, created to carry Pharaohs and Kings into the afterlife. Certain Native American tribes firmly believed in Cedar’s power to ward off evil spirits, and it was used frequently for its medicinal properties and while in ceremonies.

Powerful and unwavering, Cedar is enigmatically unique and has been recognized as important flora for generations.

 

The Notes of Cedar (what does cedar smell like?):

The rich oil of Cedarwood is one of the oldest ingredients in the making of perfumes. Its elegant and unique notes are dynamic and can be used to alter the emotional impact of a fragrance.

At its core, Cedar’s usage in perfumery is founded on its intoxicating, sophisticated, and slightly spicy qualities. Dry and welcoming, Cedar is often used to add body to a fragrance, giving a grander feel and substance while also elevating the accompanying notes.

Natural notes of Cedar can boast different elements of the wood’s beauty. Cedar oil from the Virginia Pure variety is wrapped in the mature notes of smoke and leather while Atlas Cedar has a soft and creamy feel. Where White Cedar oil exists on the more floral side, ripe with undertones of violet and patchouli, oil from Light Texas Cedar is fiery and dry, best used in wood-forward fragrances.

Inspired by natural Cedar, a few synthetic notes offer an alternative range of experiences, from the amber-laden Operanide and Cedramber to the more lively notes of Iso E Super, Methyl Cedryl Ketone, and Cedrenyl Acetate. These molecules broaden the perfumer’s palette and introduce unique opportunities when creating scents, all the while maintaining the appeal of one of the world’s most delectable natural smells.


The Fragrances of Cedar (the best cedar scents):

The beauty, strength, and delightful notes of Cedar make it one of the most popular ingredients in the world of fragrances.

For Scents of Wood, Cedarwood has been at the core of the creation of three of our scents so far.

Cedar In Flower

Brought to life by Pascal Gaurin, Cedar In Flower explores the marriage between Cedar notes and opulent florals. The floral notes, which mostly come from delicious Turkish-sourced Rose Essential oil, are hidden beneath a thick and woody canopy of Cedarleaf Oil and contrasted with the wood’s earthy qualities. The lustful notes of Cedar are further balanced with brushes of Cardamom, Lemon, and Geranium.

Cedar In Acacia

Pascal Gaurin’s Cedar In Acacia evokes a sense of thrill, romance, and temptation. Highlighting the relationship between Cedar and Ginger, Cedar In Acacia is at the forefront of a new vanguard of freshness in fragrance. Using the silky and seductive Cedramber, the scent is teeming with expectation, beckoning a sense of exhilaration. With a glowing touch of Olibanum Resin, the fragrance basks in Cedar’s most sensual and revelatory components.

Cedar In Oak

Birthed from the mind of perfumer Yves Cassar, Cedar In Oak tells a story of mystery, intrigue, and desire. Commanded by a blend of Atlas and Virginia Cedar Oils, this fragrance revels in the delicious spicy effects of Black and Pink Pepper. Lying in the damp and earthy tones of Patchouli Heart, a smokiness is unveiled, graced with the sweet accents of Myrrh Resin.

We’re partial to our own creations of course, but there are other remarkable Cedar fragrances out there. If you feel so inclined, consider exploring Cèdre by Serge Lutens, Super Cedar from Byredo, or Juniper Ridge’s Desert Cedar.