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.

Citrus

Red mandarin orange smells like biting into a sun-warmed fruit on a Mediterranean afternoon—sweet, juicy, and radiating warmth rather than the sharp bite of lemon. It's softer and rounder than regular orange, with honeyed undertones and a creamy floral whisper beneath the zesty top note. There's an almost powdery quality, like the dusty bloom on freshly picked fruit, mixed with subtle woody undertones that prevent it from being purely sugary. It feels nostalgic—like marmalade, candied peel, and childhood sweets.