Deep Wood: Fragrance Profile

1. Overview

• “Deep wood” is not a direct botanical extract, but a composite accord used in perfumery to evoke the dense, resinous, and shadowy atmosphere of a forest interior.

• Built from woody essential oils, resins, and synthetic woods.

• Often associated with mystical, grounding, and masculine-leaning compositions.

2. Aroma Character

• Dark, resinous, earthy, balsamic, smoky, slightly leathery, mossy, and woody-dense.

• Compared to lighter wood notes (like cedar or sandalwood), “deep wood” is heavier, more shadowy, and resin-soaked.

👉 Overall impression: an atmospheric, grounding woodiness with resin-smoke depth.

3. Typical Composition (Accord Building Blocks)

A deep wood accord may include:

• Woods → cedarwood, guaiacwood, agarwood/oud, vetiver.

• Resins & balsams → labdanum, myrrh, benzoin, elemi, frankincense.

• Earthy notes → patchouli, oakmoss, cypriol (nagarmotha).

• Smoky/leathery accents → birch tar, cade oil, castoreum.

• Synthetic boosters:

  • Iso E Super (radiant woody depth)

  • Norlimbanol / Timberol (dry, dark woody amber)

  • Cashmeran (musky-woody warmth)

4. Perfume Applications

• Used as a base note to give weight and longevity.

• Popular in:

  • Oriental/amber perfumes → grounding sweetness with woods.

  • Woody-leather fragrances → smoky, resinous backbone.

  • Niche perfumes → “forest floor” or “temple incense” atmospheres.

• Perfume examples with deep wood accords:

  • Comme des Garçons – Black → dark smoky-woody blend.

  • Amouage – Interlude Man → incense + deep woods.

  • Tom Ford – Oud Wood → oud-centered woody depth.

  • Serge Lutens – Chêne → dark oak forest impression.

5. Mood & Symbolism

• Represents mystery, spirituality, power, grounding, and nature’s shadowy depth.

• Often tied to:

  • Meditation & ritual (incense + wood temples).

  • Strength & masculinity (dry woody-leather bases).

  • Mystical nature (forest after rain, ancient trees).

 Quick Summary Table

In essence: Deep Wood is an accord, not a single material, built to create a dark, resin-soaked, smoky-woody base, often evoking forests, incense, and raw earthy depth.