Woody · Aroma molecule · Heart notes, Base notes
Cashmeran
Cashmeran is a synthetic molecule from IFF that smells woody and musky, with a touch of spice and fruit. Its name comes from cashmere because it feels soft and warm. In perfume, cashmeran usually sits in the base or heart notes, and note lists sometimes call it cashmere wood.
· Written by the FRAG team
What does cashmeran smell like?
Cashmeran smells like soft, warm wood mixed with musk. It opens with a hint of spice and fruit, sometimes like apple or pine. Then cashmeran settles into a smooth, musky wood with a slightly powdery feel that stays close to the skin.
People often compare the feel of cashmeran to touching soft wool. It is not sweet like vanilla or sharp like cedar, so it blends easily with many materials.
Who created cashmeran?
Cashmeran was developed by John Hall at IFF, a fragrance and flavour company based in the United States. The patent was filed in 1969 and granted in 1973. Chemically, cashmeran is an indanone derivative, and fragrance chemists class it among the polycyclic musks.
Cashmeran does not come from any plant or wood, so its woody smell comes entirely from the molecule. On perfume note lists, cashmere wood usually refers to cashmeran or an accord built on it.
Cashmeran's role in a perfume
Cashmeran usually sits in the base notes and sometimes in the heart. It gives a soft, warm, slightly musky base and links woods, musk and vanilla. Because it evaporates slowly, cashmeran comes through most in the dry-down. How long the perfume stays noticeable still depends on your skin, the weather and the concentration.
Common partners are musk, vanilla and sandalwood, as well as Iso E Super, Ambroxan and vetiver. Cashmeran appears in many modern woody, amber and gourmand perfumes.
When to wear a cashmeran perfume
A perfume with cashmeran feels soft and warm, so it suits late afternoon, evening and air-conditioned rooms. Because it stays close to the skin and is never sharp, cashmeran is also easy to wear to work and day to day.
