What Does Aromatic Fragrance Smell Like?

When it comes to finding your signature scent, it can be helpful to know what all of the different fragrance families smell like so that you start to narrow down your search. 

At Snif, we’re dedicated to demystifying the world of perfumery, which is why we’re bringing you this guide to aromatic fragrances. 

Although you might not have any immediate associations to the word “aromatic,” you’re probably already familiar with lots of the aromatic herbs and plants that form the base of these fresh, delightful scents. Especially for the tea lovers, it’s important to know what makes a fragrance aromatic so that you can get one step closer to finding your scent of the summer. 

What Is an Aromatic Fragrance?

Before we show you some of the best aromatic fragrances from Snif, we need to back up and define what aromatic fragrances are in the first place. At the most basic level, aromatic fragrances are fragrances whose primary scent comes from herbs like lavender, mint, sage, thyme, and basil. 

A scent that’s aromatic will smell clean and fresh. Although they have a similar vibe to woody scents, aromatic fragrances tend to smell drier. A good aromatic fragrance will transport you to an herb garden in summer and help you feel grounded in the most chaotic moments. 

What Does Aromatic Mean?

Integral to understanding aromatic fragrances is understanding what the word “aromatic” means. Aromatic is an adjective that describes a noticeable, pleasant smell or a smell that is simply strong. 

That being said, if you’re a fan of cooking, you might have also come across “aromatics” used as a noun. In a culinary sense, aromatics are the combination of herbs, spices, and vegetables that are used to make the base flavor of a dish. You might see herbs, wines, and vegetables described as “aromatics” because of their distinctive flavor. 

What Do Aromatic Fragrances Smell Like?

Now that you know more about what makes a fragrance aromatic and where the word comes from, it’s time to break down the smell itself. In this section, we’ll take a close look at the four main components of an aromatic fragrance.

Herbaceous

First and foremost, aromatic fragrances are herbaceous (which is a fancy way to say they come from herbs). When a scent is herbaceous, it tends to be light and bright. Think of the smell of a fresh bunch of basil or lavender right after you pick it from your garden —their herbaceous nature is one of the reasons why aromatic fragrances are so often associated with tea. 

Fresh

Given that aromatic fragrances are derived from aromatic plants and herbs, they’re also undeniably fresh, like lemongrass or orange blossom. For this reason, aromatic scents are great for nature lovers and anyone who wants their fragrance to transport them outdoors. 

Rustic

Although it’s not their primary feature, aromatic fragrances are also rustic. They smell slightly dry which gives them a kind of rugged, simple feeling. Other rustic scents include musk, patchouli, and anise. 

Traditionally, the rustic quality of aromatic fragrances meant that they were designated “masculine” scents. At Snif, we’re leaving that idea in the past. We believe that scents are genderless, and that every fragrance is for everyone.

Invigorating

Aromatic fragrances are also invigorating and energizing. When you’re not feeling your best or in the dredges of gray winter days, an aromatic fragrance can give you the boost you need in the morning to get your day started. 

What Scents Make a Fragrance Aromatic?

Check out this section for five scents that make a fragrance aromatic. We’ll also give you suggestions for different Snif fragrances that you can try to incorporate an aromatic scent into your fragrance collection. 

Sage

One of the most popular scents in aromatic fragrances is sage. Earthy and slightly minty, sage smells pure and peaceful. Sage is one of the featured scents in Pacifico along with rosemary, salted jasmine, water lily, plum, oak, and manzanita. Inspired by the California coast, this summer scent will put you in a summertime mood all year long. 

Tea

Another way to know you’ve found an aromatic fragrance is if it reminds you of a good cup of herbal tea. If you love tea but have always thought of that classic tea smell as something confined to a cup, think again. 

With Golden Ticket, a black tea fragrance, you can wear the smells of some of your favorite teas. Featuring bergamot (known for giving the English Earl Grey tea its quintessential smell), black tea, green tea, golden maté, sage, galbanum, incense, amber, and vetiver, this scent is light and fresh with a woody edge to round it out. 

Rosemary

Rosemary is a quintessential aromatic herb that’s defined by its woody, resin-like scent. Ace Ace Baby is a citrus scent combining rosemary with lemonade, ginger, timur pepper, white freesia, green apple, lavender, grass, and blonde woods. 

For those looking for a scent that’s as fresh as the first day of spring, Ace Ace Baby is the answer. Thanks to the lemonade accord this fragrance is crisp and fruity. The aromatics like rosemary and lavender give it a freshness, and the grass and blonde woods make the fragrance smooth and sweet.

Lavender

If you’re craving a slightly darker take on an aromatic fragrance, look no further than House of 8. This chocolate vanilla scent blends lavender, a famous aromatic, with sage, chocolate, heliotrope, vanilla, and sandalwood. 

There’s no denying that this fragrance is as sweet as it is mysterious. Made for the moments when you want to make a statement with your scent, House of 8 will help you conjure a luxurious, irresistible air. 

Jasmine

Jasmine is one of the more delicate aromatic fragrances. It’s sweet and floral with a slightly musky side that makes it a more sensual fragrance. You’ll find jasmine along with apricot, soft suede, osmanthus flower, clementine, sandalwood, and cistus in Natural Talent.

This leathery fragrance is perfect for everyday wear. Its subtlety makes it perfect for any and every activity, but its distinct combination of scents will still make you stand out in a crowd. It combines the juicy sweetness of fruit with the dry, smooth quality of leathery and woody scents. The result is a timeless scent you’ll fall more in love with every time you wear it. 

Tea Time, Any Time

Knowing about the different fragrance families can be helpful when choosing perfumes. You can easily spot an aromatic fragrance if it smells like your herb garden or your favorite cup of tea. With the five Snif scents featured in this article, you can dive into the world of aromatic fragrances and make it tea time, any time. 

Sources:

Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance | NIH

(PDF) Mediterranean aromatic herbs and their culinary use | ResearchGate

Effects of Inhaled Rosemary Oil on Subjective Feelings and Activities of the Nervous System | NIH 

Stimulating effect of aromatherapy massage with jasmine oil | NIH