Most people imagine iris as soft, powdery, and makeup-like. But the real story is much more interesting. The prized ingredient used in perfumery isn’t actually the flower—it’s the rhizome (underground stem) of the iris plant. After harvesting, the rhizomes are dried and aged for 3–5 years before they develop their characteristic aroma. Freshly harvested orris has very little scent at all. Once matured, it reveals an incredibly complex profile: 🌿 Dry woody facets 🌶️ A subtle spicy, carrot-like nuance 🪵 Earthy roots 🧈 Creamy, buttery richness 💄 Powdery violet tones That buttery character comes from a family of molecules called irones, which are responsible for the luxurious scent that has made iris one of the most treasured materials in perfumery. Because true orris butter is one of the most expensive natural perfume materials in the world, perfumers often build iris accords using a combination of natural materials and aroma molecules to capture its many facets. Depending on the formula, an iris accord can lean elegant and powdery, dry and woody, earthy and rooty, or even surprisingly spicy. Our Iris Accord explores that richer side of iris—the one that highlights its woody, earthy, buttery, and root-like character rather than just powder. What’s your favorite style of iris?

Rain itself has very little scent. What we perceive as the smell of rain is actually a combination of compounds released from the earth, plants, and atmosphere during and after a storm. One of the most famous materials associated with rain is Geosmin, a naturally occurring molecule produced by bacteria. It is responsible for the earthy aroma that rises from the ground after rainfall, known as petrichor. Humans are incredibly sensitive to geosmin and can detect it at extremely low concentrations. Creating a rain accord is less about reproducing water itself and more about recreating the atmosphere surrounding a rainstorm. Damp soil, wet stone, soaked concrete, crushed leaves, cool air, and distant ozone all contribute to the illusion. For this accord, geosmin provides the earthy foundation while carefully selected materials add mineralic, aquatic, green, and ozonic facets. The goal is not simply to smell like rain, but to capture the feeling of standing outside after a storm as the clouds begin to part and the world slowly comes back to life. What does rain smell like to you?

While I post most of my accords in social media, I will also be posting them here. I am also going to be doing exclusive accord posts for Skool only. Stay tuned for more! As always. Let me know what accords you want to see.

For centuries, chestnuts were a staple food across Europe and Asia, earning the nickname “The Bread Tree” due to their use in flours, breads, and desserts. Today, the aroma of roasted chestnuts remains synonymous with warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. In perfumery, chestnut is largely a fantasy note recreated through an accord rather than a single material. Rich, warm, nutty, and slightly sweet, it evokes toasted nuts, fresh baked bread, caramelized sugars, and subtle woody nuances. One of the greatest challenges in creating this accord was working with pyrazines, thiazoles, and furans—the molecules responsible for many roasted and baked aromas. These materials are incredibly powerful and unforgiving; a trace too little leaves the accord flat, while a trace too much can make it harsh or burnt. The goal was to capture the aroma of chestnuts roasting over an open fire: the toasted shell, soft starchy interior, and gentle sweetness that fills the air on a cool autumn evening. What does roasted chestnut remind you of: fresh baked bread, toasted nuts, or a cozy fireplace?