Woody · Natural material · Top notes, Heart notes
Cypriol
Cypriol is a fragrant oil from the roots of a Cyperus plant, usually Cyperus scariosus, known in India as nagarmotha. It smells dry like wood and soil, with a smoky, slightly spicy side. In perfume, cypriol usually works as a base that adds depth, and it often appears with vetiver, patchouli or oud.
· Written by the FRAG team
What does cypriol smell like?
Cypriol smells dry, earthy and woody, with a smoky side that some people compare to tanned leather. There is also a slight spice, like dried seasoning. Many describe cypriol as vetiver and patchouli rolled into one material.
Cypriol is unsweet and dense. In a blend, cypriol rarely stands alone. It usually makes the woods around it feel darker, deeper and a little smoky.
Cypriol and nagarmotha from India
Cypriol comes from a grass-like plant in the Cyperus genus, the same genus as the rumput teki that grows wild across Indonesia. Cypriol oil for perfume comes mainly from India. The roots are dug up, cleaned, dried in the shade and then steam-distilled for their oil.
In the fragrance materials trade, the oil is sold as cypriol or nagarmotha oil. On perfume note lists, it is almost always written as cypriol.
What cypriol does in a woody blend
Cypriol is most often used in the base notes because it is dense and evaporates slowly. It adds depth and a smoky edge to woody and amber blends. In some perfumes, cypriol is listed in the top notes, usually to give a dry, dark feel from the start.
Vetiver, patchouli and cedar bring out the earthy side of cypriol. Cypriol also works with black pepper and cinnamon for spice, with rose for a contrast between flowers and dark wood, or with oud, which shares its smoky character.
Is cypriol for day or night?
Smoky cypriol feels most at home in the evening, for example at dinner or an indoor event. On a hot day, choose a perfume that uses only a little cypriol among citrus and light woods, so the smoke does not cover the other notes.
