Birch
tarry smoked wood, the note behind most leather accords
In 22 of 1747 fragrances here, most often worn in autumn
What it is
Birch tar, dry distilled from the bark. The same material historically used to treat Russian leather, and restricted now over its phenol content.
What it smells like
Tarry and smoked, closer to creosote than to a tree. It is the backbone of most leather accords, and on its own it smells more like an industrial process than anything you would wear.
Where it sits
Which layer of the pyramid it is listed in, across every fragrance here that carries it. A base note is one you smell for hours; a top note is usually gone within the first.
What it turns up with
How much more often than the catalogue average. 1.0x would be chance, so these are the things that genuinely travel with it rather than the things that are simply common.
When it is worn
Against the average fragrance here. The line marks that average, so a bar past it means this is worn in that season or setting more than most.
Houses that use it most
Counted across the fragrances here, which reflects what we cover as much as what a house makes.
Creed (4), Lancome (3), Amouage (2), Armaf (2), Byredo (2), Hugo Boss (2).
The description above is written here. The counts, pairings and seasons are measured across every fragrance on this site that lists it. We have not smelled every bottle behind those numbers.
Fragrances with birch
The best known of them, each with its full note pyramid and its cheaper alternatives.
Initio Parfums Prives
Absolute Aphrodisiac
Availability may vary
Byredo
Byredo Mixed Emotions
Availability may vary
