Spicy

Black pepper smells sharp, dry, and almost peppery—obviously—but not like the dusty spice in your kitchen cupboard. Imagine biting into a fresh peppercorn: there's an initial brightness, almost citrusy, followed by a warming, slightly woody heat that tingles your nostrils. It's spicy without burning, with an almost piney, green undertone. The sensation is crisp and energising, like inhaling cool air that somehow feels warm simultaneously.

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.