glossary
a very brief explanation of common terms that we use
• ”outset” or “top notes”, refers to how an oil smells right out of the bottle before its has time to “drydown” or “open up”.
• “heart” or “middle notes” refers to the middle part of a scents longevity, the middle part of the “drydown” or “opening up” of a scent.
• “base notes” refer to the last phase of a scent’s longevity. Usually the last third of the scent’s expression, sometimes the last half.
• ”drydown” means how the scent transforms or “opens up” with time once exposed to air or worn on the skin. Sometimes refers to the final third or the ending of a scent’s longevity. We use the term “drydown” to refer to the entire opening up and transformation process of a scent, everything that comes after the top notes: the heart/middle notes, base notes and finish.
• “vices” refers to some scent components that are normally considered undesirable or less desirable, but are a natural feature of the scent profile, especially in Oud oils. These are described as fecal, urine, ammonia, bile, fermented, animal, sweaty, acrid, genital, etcetera. While many of these might sound quite repulsive, small amounts of these scent elements may be desirable when in present in the proper balance. Better oud oils will feature vices that are well harmonized or not present at all.
