Scent Families Simplified: Master the Language of Perfumes

The world of perfume is vast and beautifully organized, blending timeless classics with bold, modern innovations. Traditionally, fragrances are grouped into four main families: floral, woody, amber (sometimes called oriental), and fresh. Over time, perfumers have enriched this landscape with newer families like gourmand, fruity, spicy, marine, leather, chypre, and fougère, each offering a unique olfactory experience.

Family	Key Notes & Characteristics	Notable Subfamilies
Floral	Rose, jasmine, peony, lily	Fruity Floral, Soft Floral, Floral Oriental
Woody	Sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, oud	Mossy Woods, Dry Woods, Woody Amber
Amber/Oriental	Vanilla, amber, resins, spices	Soft Amber, Floral Amber, Woody Amber
Fresh	Citrus, green, aquatic, herbs	Citrus, Green, Aromatic, Aquatic
Fruity	Peach, apple, berries	Fruity Florals
Spicy	Cinnamon, pepper, cardamom	Spicy Orientals
Gourmand	Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee	Angel, La Vie Est Belle, Prada Candy
Chypre	Bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli	Chypre Accord
Leather	Leather, birch tar, tobacco	Leather Accords
Marine/Ozonic	Sea breeze, salt, ozonic notes	Aquatic Scents
Fougère	Lavender, oakmoss, coumarin	Fougère Royale, Drakkar Noir

My personal favorites…

Oud is the deep, smoky core of the perfume world—anchored in the woody family but softened by warm amber tones. It’s rich and complex, with earthy, resinous notes that feel timeless yet modern, adding a unique depth to any fragrance.

Gourmand scents, on the other hand, belong to a more contemporary family inspired by edible delights. They feature notes like vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and coffee, creating warm, comforting fragrances that are sweet without being overpowering.

Whether you prefer the smoky complexity of oud or the cozy sweetness of gourmand, these scent families offer distinct experiences that suit different moods and occasions.