Aromatic
One of the most easily recognized olfactory groups due to it’s usual blend of rosemary, cumin, sage, lavender and any other herbs or trees that have a strong scent of spice, the outdoors, or grass.
Citrus-based scents are most frequently coupled with aromatic-centric scents, which are typically used in men’s colognes ( although there is no rule to this ).
You may find further sub-classes of the aromatic scent, such as fougere, fruity and spicy to name a few.
Floral
The largest olfactory class ( and one of my personal favorites) smells like freshly picked flowers, aquatic notes, powdery subtleties, aldehyde, fruit, and gourmand undertones.
Interestingly enough, some of the same notes it’s known for, can also be found in it’s sub-classes.
Citrus
Citrusy scents are widely utilized in both men’s and women’s perfumes, particularly in summer scents like an Eau Fraiche.
They are particularly easier to spot everywhere in the fragrance world, with their heavier notes of lemon, bergamot and manderin.
They do however include sub-classes of gourmand and aquatic scents.
Chypre
Named after the first fragrance with the composition this scent is known for. Francois Coty’s Chypre.
Chypre’s usually have a composition of citrus top notes, labdanum middle notes and mossy/animalistic base notes.
Usually have sub-classes of the floral arrangement.
Woody
Fragrances that have notes of wood and soil, as their names would suggest.
The defining quality is warmth.
Sandalwood, drier and sharper cedar, and vetiver are among the main ingredients. Woody scents are frequently combined with citrus and aromatic undertones.
Some sub-classes include: floral musk, spicy and chypre.
Leather
Leather is a complicated family with multiple branches, however it is not frequently referred to as a “official” olfactory family. But because the distinctive smell of leather is so potent and well-known in modern society, many perfumers classify leather in its own category. This eclectic bunch, which has everything from sweet to sour to flowery to smoky, appeals to all. You can definitely smell the feeling of confidence through this type of fragrance.
Oriental| Amber
Oriental scents, which are typically amber-based and as well-known as Leather, have their own family because of their natural “sensuality” and familiar warmth. This makes them another of my favorite olfactory family.
Their lavish compositions frequently have a hint of exotic flowers and most definitely spices—along with seductive elements like musk, vanilla, exotic resins, and wood.
Sub-classes includes fougere, vanilla and spicy.