Oriental

Frankincense absolute smells like sacred incense smoke given flesh—warm, slightly sweet, and deeply woody with whispered spice underneath. Imagine walking into an ancient temple where resin has been smouldering for centuries; there's honeyed amber, dry papery warmth, and a subtle peppery bite. It's not harsh like fresh incense smoke, but rather soft and creamy, like amber-tinged smoke that's settled into fabric. There's an almost medicinal cleanliness beneath the sweetness, reminiscent of aged leather, myrrh's cousin, with hints of citrus peel and warm honey.

Spicy

Saffron smells like warm honey touched by smoke, with an underlying earthiness reminiscent of dried autumn leaves. Imagine the aroma of golden turmeric, but more refined and mysteriously bitter—think of expensive spice markets where threads of crimson-gold sit in wooden bowls. There's a subtle animalic quality, almost leathery, paired with a faint metallic sweetness. It's intoxicating rather than fresh, wrapping around you like cashmere warmed by sunlight.