Accord
A combination of fragrance materials composed to create a particular scent impression, such as rose, leather or an abstract woody effect.
An accord combines materials to create a scent effect. It might evoke something recognizable, such as a flower, or provide a more abstract character. The musical comparison is useful: several elements work together as one part of a larger composition.
On a perfume’s note list, an accord describes what the blend is intended to evoke. Prada’s Nylon Noir, for example, lists jasmine, a nylon accord and musk. The nylon accord is a perfumery interpretation associated with the house’s fashion material; it does not mean nylon fabric is an ingredient in the liquid.
An accord can contribute to the opening, heart or later character. It need not conceal every individual facet, and the term does not establish how many materials a particular brand used. Two fragrances listing a rose or leather accord can have different formulas and smell quite different.
When comparing perfumes, describe the effect you notice: a soft floral leather, a smoky leather or a sweeter one. That can help you find another sample you enjoy more effectively than assuming every fragrance with the same accord will be interchangeable.