Fresh

Mint smells like a sharp, cool breath of freshness—imagine crushing fresh spearmint leaves between your fingers on a summer afternoon. It's simultaneously sweet and peppery, with a tingling, almost icy sensation that makes your nose feel alert and awake. There's a green, slightly herbal quality beneath the coolness, reminiscent of toothpaste and chewing gum, but far more sophisticated and natural. It's the olfactory equivalent of splashing cold water on your face.

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.