The Olfactory Families: The Rye Botanica Fragrance Wheel Explained
When it comes to choosing your next signature scent, shopping for fragrances online can be a little challenging. Understanding how a perfume will present, smell and develop over time from nothing but a bottle’s design is a nigh on impossible task.
Therefore, hoping to provide you with a little more insight into our collection, we’ve developed our very own fragrance wheel (you may have seen this neat graphic dotted around on our site!). Dividing the range into four major olfactory families (Fresh, Floral, Woody and Amber) we then have three subcategories within each.
With every fragrance having its very own place within the wheel, see below as we give you a rundown of our olfactory family definitions and what to expect from each subcategory. Whether you’re a Floral fiend or an Amber addict you’ll be sure to find the scents that are right for you!
Olfactory Family: Fresh
Light and bright, Fresh fragrances are characteristically formed of lighter, smaller molecules that evaporate quickly. Offering an instant woosh of scent, many Fresh fragrances comprise of zesty top notes to provide a sparkling citrus effervescence! See below as we explore the sub-categories of the family.
The Aromatics: Somewhere between the easy to love crispness of Fresh fragrances and the spiced rich notes of the Woody family lie the Aromatics. Still featuring citrus top notes such as lemon and bergamot, these perfumes also have a hidden depth of musk and cedarwood!
Featured: White Moss and Mandarin and Green Tea by Acca Kappa
The Fresh Citrus: Think zesty oranges, bitter lemons, and sharp grapefruits these fragrances are sunny and airy, an instant mood booster and energetic uplift.
Featured: Green Mandarin, Agua de Colonia Clementina, Musgo Real Orange Amber, MÜHLE Aloe Vera
The Fresh Aquatic: Heavenly refreshing, Aquatic fragrances use both natural elements such as sea moss and artificial ozonic notes to create cooling and invigorating scents- the perfect pick for breezy summer days by the sea!
Featured: Giallo Elicriso, Agua de Colonia Porto, MÜHLE Sea Buckthorn
Shop Fresh Fragrance
Olfactory Family: Floral
Sometimes sweet, sometimes powdery, Florals can be found at the heart of almost any perfume. Still one of the most popular olfactory families today, whether it be scents of jasmine, peony or rose each flower has its own signature scent. See below as we explore the sub-categories of the family.
The Floral Bouquet: Just as the name suggests, floral bouquet scents combine many different flowers for an extravagant and complex fragrance.
The Fruity Floral: Young and sweet, Fruity Florals combine juicy notes of peach, tangy raspberries, or mouthwatering mango with fragrant fresh flowers.
Featured: Calycanthus by Acca Kappa
The Powdery Floral: Soft, dry and comforting Powdery Florals are a delicate addition to this olfactory family. Enveloping the wearer, Powdery Florals tend to be less sweet and muskier than other Florals often featuring warm spices and soft suedes to balance the sweet cut flowers.
Featured: Agua de Colonia Flores, Acca Kappa Sakura Tokyo
Shop Floral Fragrance
Olfactory Family: Woody
Inspired by aromatic notes of nature, Woody fragrances tend to have an earthier, more resinous profile for a warm and opulent feel. Traditionally leaning towards more masculine fragrances, the Woody olfactory family utilizes notes of sandalwood, cedarwood as well as patchouli and vetiver to create a heavier, deeper scent. See below as we explore the sub-categories of the family.
Spiced Woody: Just as one would expect, Spiced Woody fragrances are created by combining aromatic woods with warming spices. Often featuring notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, black pepper, or cardamom- the result is a rich and heavy fragrance.
Featured: MÜHLE Sandalwood, Acca Kappa Volata
Floral Woody: Found within the heart or top notes of the fragrance, florals complement a traditional woody base to help lift and lighten the scent. A classic combination, notes of powdery Iris, aromatic lavender or captivating rose are some of the most popular additions!
Featured: Agua de Colonia Geranium, Acca Kappa Volata
Woody Fresh: Green, leafy and sometimes citrus the Woody Fresh family offers a light yet still fragrant alternative to the deeper, richer woody scents. Traditionally featuring notes of lavender, geranium, vetiver, bergamot and oakmoss these fragrances transform throughout the day as the lighter citrus notes quickly evaporate to reveal the aromatic base woods.
Featured: Musgo Real Oak Moss, Agua de Colonia Fougere, Agua de Colonia Vetiver, Musgo Real Classic scent
Shop Woody Fragrance
Olfactory Family: Amber
Sophisticated and ‘grown-up,’ Amber fragrances are one of the more complex and mysterious olfactory families. Inspired by notes of incense, the family was previously classified as ‘Oriental’ (which for obvious reasons has since been changed) and includes traditional Chypres as well as Gourmand fragrances rich with warm spices and foody notes. Comforting and seductive, Amber scents lend themselves to more winter-warming and after-dark wears.
Fresh Amber: One of the newest olfactory families, Fresh Amber fragrances combine the classic warm notes of amber and incense with bright florals and citruses – the result? A family of fragrances that have the easy-to-love charm of fresher perfumes with the staying power of heavier, warmer notes found in their base.
Featured: Acca Kappa 1869, Musgo Real Spiced Citrus
Spiced Amber: Formed from swirling notes of resins, incense and vanilla, Spiced Amber fragrances offer a sensual intensity to the classic family.
Featured: Musgo Real Spiced Citrus, Acca Kappa My Scent
Gourmand: Delectable, almost edible, Gourmand fragrances combine traditional amber bases with enticing notes of vanilla, caramel, coffee, and chocolate for a sultry and warm finish.
Featured: Musgo Real Black Edition
Shop Amber Fragrance
Rye Botanica Journal
Our Journal covers many topics of interest. Perhaps you are looking to reduce your daily household waste but not sure where to start? Or, want to know when the 'zero-waste' movement started and who is regarded as the pioneer? The Journal not only educates, but also suggests how to upgrade your existing health and beauty products. Our top 5 must haves for home-grooming products is a great place to start!
