Woody
A scent direction emphasizing wood-like impressions, such as cedar or sandalwood. Woody fragrances can also have fresh, smoky, earthy, spicy or floral facets.
Woody fragrances emphasize wood-like character. The International Fragrance Association’s Fragrance Ingredient Glossary describes a broad family that includes sandalwood and cedarwood impressions, sometimes with smoky or leathery nuances.
The effect can come from different fragrance materials. IFF describes Iso E Super as woody and ambery, for example, and records its impact across top, heart and base notes. A woody note does not by itself identify a tree extract or mean that the wood will appear only at the end of wear.
Use more specific words to find the direction you enjoy. Compare dry or creamy woods, fresh or smoky accents, and the amount of sweetness. A citrus-woody composition may offer a different balance from one built around woods, flowers and amber even when their note lists overlap.
When sampling, check the opening and later character as well as how prominent the fragrance feels around you. Woody scents can be soft or assertive, and the category alone does not tell you which will feel comfortable in your setting.