Oriental notes (antiquated term), also known as "amber" or "spicy" notes, are a group of fragrance notes commonly used in perfumery. They are often associated with warm, exotic, and sensual qualities, and can add depth and complexity to a perfume composition.
Some of the most commonly used oriental notes in perfumery include:
Vanilla: A warm, sweet note with a comforting, familiar quality that is often used as a base note in perfumes.
Patchouli: A rich, earthy note with a slightly woody and spicy quality that is often used as a base note in perfumes.
Amber: A warm, resinous note with a slightly sweet and powdery quality that is often used as a base note in perfumes.
Benzoin: A sweet, balsamic note with a vanilla-like quality that is often used as a base note in perfumes.
Frankincense: A resinous note with a slightly woody and spicy quality that is often used as a middle note in perfumes.
Myrrh: A resinous note with a warm, slightly sweet and spicy quality that is often used as a base note in perfumes.
Cinnamon: A spicy, warm note with a sweet and woody quality that is often used as a middle note in perfumes.
Clove: A spicy, warm note with a slightly sweet and woody quality that is often used as a middle note in perfumes.
Oriental notes can be blended with other fragrance families to create a wide range of perfume compositions. For example, vanilla and patchouli are often blended with floral or citrus notes to create warm and sensual fragrances, while cinnamon and clove can be blended with gourmand notes to create spicy and sweet fragrances.