Floral

Black orchid doesn't smell like fresh flowers plucked from a garden. Instead, imagine stepping into a dimly lit room where dark florals have been left to deepen and intensify—there's a velvety, almost creamy sweetness with undertones of powder and earth. It's rather like the scent of dried rose petals mixed with violet leaf, tinged with something almost animalic, slightly sensual, and utterly mysterious. There's a richness here, almost indolic (think the deeper notes of jasmine), without being overtly fruity or bright.

Woody

Imagine walking through damp earth after rain, then crushing dried autumn leaves in your hands. That's patchouli's essence: earthy, almost animalic, with a subtle sweetness lurking underneath. It smells vaguely like rich soil mixed with dried tobacco and a whisper of chocolate. There's a dark, slightly musty quality—think opening an antique wooden chest. It's grounding and intensely aromatic, never delicate. Fresh patchouli has peppery brightness; aged patchouli becomes deeper, warmer, almost leather-like.