The experience of wearing Montale parfumuri is an education in the concept of olfactory saturation. These are not fragrances that whisper; they are designed to make an indelible statement through sheer, unadulterated concentration. The house is renowned for using a very high percentage of perfume oils in their alcohol base, pushing the boundaries of what… Continue reading Montale Parfumuri: An Education in Olfactory Saturation
Month: July 2025
Using GC-MS Data for Self-Directed Perfume Study
For the dedicated fragrance enthusiast, the desire to understand a beloved perfume goes beyond simply enjoying its scent; it becomes a quest to deconstruct its very essence. While the exact formulas of commercial fragrances are jealously guarded secrets, a powerful analytical tool, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), can provide a remarkably detailed list of a perfume’s… Continue reading Using GC-MS Data for Self-Directed Perfume Study
How Perfumers Learn to Identify Captive Molecules
In the highly competitive world of fine fragrance, true innovation is the ultimate currency, and it is fiercely protected. The largest fragrance creation houses, like Givaudan, Firmenich, and IFF, invest millions in developing unique, patented scent molecules known as “captives.” These proprietary ingredients are not available on the open market and give their creators a… Continue reading How Perfumers Learn to Identify Captive Molecules
The Trigeminal Nerve’s Role in Scent Perception
When we inhale the aroma of a perfume, we tend to think of it as a singular experience, a message delivered directly to our brain’s olfactory center. However, the sensation of scent is far more complex, often involving a second, parallel information pathway: the trigeminal nerve. This crucial cranial nerve, the largest in the head,… Continue reading The Trigeminal Nerve’s Role in Scent Perception
The Jean Carles Method: A Perfumer’s Apprenticeship
The journey to becoming a perfumer has long been shrouded in mystique, a craft passed down through secretive, multi-year apprenticeships. In the mid-20th century, the legendary French perfumer Jean Carles sought to demystify this process, developing a structured, systematic training methodology that remains a cornerstone of perfumery education to this day. The Jean Carles Method… Continue reading The Jean Carles Method: A Perfumer’s Apprenticeship
Olfactory Fatigue: How to “Reset” Your Nose
After evaluating a few distinct fragrances, you may have encountered a curious sensory phenomenon where all subsequent scents either merge into an unrecognizable fog or become completely imperceptible. This experience, clinically known as olfactory fatigue, is a natural adaptive response of your nervous system, evolved to prevent sensory overload from persistent odors. Grasping the mechanics… Continue reading Olfactory Fatigue: How to “Reset” Your Nose