Fragrance Note
Cloves
Used in 55+ fragrances on FragranVerse
What it smells like
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, Myrtaceae family) is an persistent tree native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The "cloves" of commerce are the dried, unopened flower buds. Harvested just before they bloom, when eugenol concentration is highest. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the buds, leaves, or stems, each yielding a different product. Clove bud oil is the perfumery standard: 80-90% eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, CAS 97-53-0), with beta-caryophyllene (5-12%), eugenyl acetate (2-14%), and alpha-humulene in supporting roles.
How it's used in perfumery
Clove is a heart note in spicy, amber, and carnation accords. The eugenol molecule is the building block of the carnation reconstruction (combined with isoeugenol, methyleugenol, and phenylethyl alcohol). Clove appears in amber compositions alongside cinnamon and vanilla, in chypre bases where its phenolic character echoes oakmoss, and in fougere constructions where it adds spicy warmth. The beta-caryophyllene component provides a woody bridge to base notes.
Fun fact
Clove bud oil has one of the highest essential oil yields of any botanical. 15-20% by weight. For comparison, rose petals yield 0.02-0.05% and jasmine yields roughly 0.1%.
Perfumes with Cloves(55)
Indian
(7)Middle East
(6)Designer
(13)
Niche
(29)