Gourmand

Cocoa absolute smells like pure, unadulterated chocolate—but deeper and more complex than a chocolate bar. Imagine breaking open a freshly roasted cacao pod: there's that rich, slightly bitter earthiness with warming spice notes underneath. It's decadent without being sickly sweet, with a powdery, almost velvety texture to the scent. There's a subtle nuttiness and a whisper of fermentation—that slightly fermented, almost winey quality that real cacao possesses. It's comfort in olfactory form.

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.