Stately trees whisper ancient stories and defy sun, wind and rain. Steadfast, they are the silent rulers of forests and the protectors of mother earth. Sometimes they smell dry and earthy, other times soft and sweet, or smoky and rugged.
Besides typical woods such as cedar, pine, birch and sandalwood, the wood family also includes vetiver, patchouli and leather. Guaiac wood (or Palo Santo) smells deep and smoky with hints of tar. Oud, in turn, comes from the tropical agar tree and is obtained by injecting the tree with a fungus that creates a resinous substance after years. Oud smells deep, smoky and animalic. Because it is so rare, a synthetic version of oud is often used in perfume. Tobacco in perfume often smells somewhat sweet and aromatic, like hay or whiskey.
