Oriental

Myrrh smells like incense and ancient temples—warm, slightly smoky, and deeply resinous. Imagine the dusty sweetness of aged wood combined with a subtle bitterness, like burnt honey with a whisper of medicinal earthiness. There's a dry, almost leathery quality that coats your mouth when you breathe it in. It's not bright or cheerful; rather, it feels ceremonial and contemplative, reminiscent of the aroma rising from a church censer or the lingering scent in a spice merchant's shop.

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.