Our fragrances

When we talk about fragrances and the division into top, heart and base, we are referring to the different notes or components of a fragrance that influence its character and how it develops over time on the skin.

Top notes: These are the first fragrance notes that you smell when you apply a perfume or fragrance. They are usually light and fresh and give the first impression of the fragrance. Top notes are quick to disappear, usually within the first 15 minutes. They help to entice and attract you to the scent.

Heart notes: Heart notes are the fragrance components that become more prominent as the top notes subside. They form the heart and character of the fragrance. These notes last longer than the top notes and are what you smell as the fragrance develops over time. They give the fragrance its signature and personality.

Base notes: Base notes are the final fragrance components that become noticeable after the fragrance has been on the skin for a long time. They are deeper and more stable than the previous notes and give the fragrance its long-lasting and final impression. Base notes are what make a fragrance stay on the skin for several hours.

The concept of top, heart and base is often used in the perfume industry to describe how a fragrance evolves over time and to help understand the different nuances of the fragrance.

Gentlemen of Sweden primarily uses two fragrance profiles, Oud Woody and Ocean Breeze and pine.

The Oud Woody scent profile that we use in all products except our Firm Hold Paste can be described as follows:

Top: Pepper, cardamom and olibanum.

Heart: Guaiac, aquilaria, saffron

Base: Leather, ambergris, citrus

Aquilaria/Oud: Oud is a central component of this fragrance profile. It is an oil extracted from the wood of the agarwood tree and has a characteristic and complex scent. Oud notes can be smoky, leathery, and sometimes have a slight sweetness. It adds a mysterious and seductive dimension to the fragrance.

Woody notes: As it is a woody fragrance, you can expect strong woody notes such as cedar, sandalwood or patchouli. These notes give a deep and earthy character to the fragrance.

Other complementary notes: “Oud Woody” fragrances contain other complementary spicy notes such as black pepper and cardamom to add some spiciness and other floral notes such as ambergris and cistus to soften the scent.

Olibanum, more commonly known as frankincense or frankincense, is an aromatic resin extracted from the Boswellia tree. It has been used for millennia for various purposes, including spiritual and ceremonial uses. Olibanum has a characteristic scent and is often burned as incense in religious ceremonies, meditation or just to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Guaiac, is a wood oil extracted from steam distilling the bark of the Guaiacum tree. Guaiac gives off a strong smoky scent.

Aquilaria is the tree from which oud or aloeswood is extracted. It is a highly sought-after aromatic resin known for its rich and complex scent profile. Oud notes can be smoky, leathery, and sometimes even have a slight sweetness. It adds a mysterious and seductive dimension to the fragrance.

The special feature of oud or agarwood is that the resin used is formed in response to infection or damage to the tree. The tree produces the resin as a defense mechanism and that resin over time becomes impregnated with a rich and unique scent.

Ambergris, which comes from the Latin ambra grisea, gray ambergris, is a substance known for its soft, sweetish and woody scent. It is also used as a fixative to extend the shelf life of fragrances as Ambergris has a unique ability to enhance and stabilize scents. The dark history of Ambergris was that it used to come from the intestines of sperm whales and consisted of cholestrol, oils, benzoic acid and other substances that gave it its special properties and scent.
This is no longer the case, as Ambergris is now produced synthetically for the cosmetics and perfume industry.

Cistus is an essential oil extracted from the flowers and leaves of the Cistus plants. One of the best known species within the Cistus genus is Cistus ladanifer, also known as gum rock rose. It is a shrub native to the Mediterranean region and has characteristic pink or white flowers. It has a characteristic and intense scent that is perceived as sweet, dry and warm. As a side note, Cistus oil is also thought to increase skin elasticity.

Ocean breeze and pine can be found in our Firm Hold Paste is our second fragrance profile. It tries to recreate the scent of ocean breeze and pine forest described like this:

Top: Green, pine/eucalyptus

Heart: Cumin, mint, marine and pine

Base: Wood, balsam fir, aromatic

Ocean breeze and pine which is our second scent profile that tries to recreate the scent of ocean breeze and pine forest. When we close our eyes and smell the scent, our thoughts wander towards

Ocean Breeze: The fragrance starts with a fresh and invigorating feeling, similar to what you might experience by the sea. It can include notes of salt and sea air, giving a clean and airy feeling.

Pine: Pine notes give the fragrance a woody and spicy character, providing a certain warmth and connection with nature.

Citrus notes: To enhance the freshness, you will also find citrus notes such as lemon and lime. This adds an extra dimension of clarity and purity to the fragrance.

Ocean breeze and pine is a refreshing scent profile that tries to capture the scent of ocean breeze combined with the woody and spicy note of pine forest. This scent is often associated with freshness, nature and coastal atmospheres.

“Green” as a top note in perfumery usually refers to fragrance notes that are fresh, natural and green in character. These notes can be inspired by the scents of plants, leaves, grasses and other green elements. They usually add a sense of freshness and naturalness to the perfume.

Examples of “green” top notes can include scents such as:

1. Grass: A scent similar to freshly cut grass or green leaves.
2. Citrus: Citrus fruits such as lemon, lime and bergamot give a fresh and acidic note.
3. Mint: Minty notes give a cool and refreshing feeling.
4. Leaves: The scent of green leaves, such as basil or nettle, can also be used.
5. Apple: A fresh scent of apple can give a “green” feeling.

aromatic: This fragrance category is known for having a strong and intense scent profile. Aromatic scents are often associated with spicy and woody notes, and they can add a sense of warmth and depth to a perfume.