The Fragrance Wheel
The Fragrance Wheel is a fragrance classification method developed in 1983 by Michael Edwards, a consultant in the fragrance industry. He designed it after being inspired by a fragrance seminar by Firmenich.
The New method was initiated in order to make simpler the fragrance classification and naming scheme, as well as to show the relationships between each individual fragrance family. The four standard families are Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh. These are in turn divided into three sub-groups and arranged in a circle, each group being related to the next. The exception to this rule is the Fougère family which stands in the center of the Fragrance wheel as it contains elements from many of the other families.
The Fragrance wheel sub-groups are:
- Floral (Floral + Fresh Notes)
- Soft Floral (Floral Notes)
- Floral Oriental (Floral + Oriental Notes)
- Soft Oriental (Oriental + Floral Notes)
- Oriental (Oriental Notes)
- Woody Oriental (Oriental + Woody Notes)
- Mossy Oriental (Woody + Oriental Notes)
- Dry Woods (Woody Notes)
- Citrus (Woody + Fresh Notes)
- Green (Fresh Notes)
- Water (Fresh + Floral Notes)
- Fougère - universal fragrance family whose scent includes elements from different families: the freshness of a Citrus, floral notes of lavender, the spicy-sweetness of a Floral Oriental, the ambery depth of an Oriental and the Mossy Woods warmth of Sandalwood and Oakmoss
External links
Interview with Michael Edwards
Perfume classification: The Fragrance Wheel
Fragrances of the World