If you’re a lover of warm, woody scents, then birchwood should be on your radar. In this article, we’ll take a close look at what birchwood is, what it smells like, and the scents you can pair with this irresistible fragrance.
What Is Birchwood?
Simply put, birchwood is the name for the wood that comes from birch trees. There are three different kinds of birchwood (yellow, white, and black birch) that are used to make everything from furniture to instruments.
The birchwood scent traditionally comes from birch tar oil, an oil extracted through steam distillation from the bark of the birch tree. Nowadays, this fragrance can be recreated by perfumers to capture the magic of the birchwood smell in a more sustainable way.
What Does Birchwood Smell Like?
Now that you know what birchwood is, it’s time to dive into the scent profile of this iconic smell.
Woody
As you might have guessed from the name, birchwood has a woody, earthy scent that makes it grounding and calming. What sets birchwood apart from other woody scents, though, is that it also has a slightly sweet undertone.
Smoky
Birchwood is also a smoky, leathery fragrance. The balsamic undertones in birchwood complement this natural smokiness to make it a more complex woody scent.
What Scents Does Birchwood Pair Well With?
You’re officially up-to-date on everything birchwood, so now it’s time to talk pairings. This section will take a close look at two of the scents that, when combined with birchwood, make fragrance magic happen.
Vanilla
Given its irresistible sweetness, pairing birchwood with vanilla can draw out these undertones and add a rich depth to any scent. Together, birchwood and vanilla make for an indulgent, cozy scent duo that will warm you up no matter where you are.
Keep an eye out for birchwood and vanilla in the base notes section of the fragrances you’re shopping for. As rich, deep scents, they’re often used to round out scents.
Vetiver
Vetiver is another woody, smoky scent that blends well with birchwood to make for an earthy fragrance that will transport you to a sun-drenched forest.
Tart Deco is a Snif fragrance that combines birchwood with vanilla, vetiver, black cherry, rose, and jasmine. Birchwood rounds out this cherry scent, giving it a depth and luxuriousness not usually found in cherry fragrances.
Into the Woods
The next time you’re looking for a woody fragrance that knows how to make an impression, scan the ingredients list for birchwood. This smoky, sweet fragrance gives any scent the kind of warmth that will keep you coming back for more.
Sources:
The Smelling Principle of Vetiver Oil, Unveiled by Chemical Synthesis | NIH