Citrus Myrrh: Fragrance Profile
1. Overview
-
Not a natural raw material but a conceptual accord blending:
-
Citrus notes (bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, orange) → fresh, sparkling top.
-
Myrrh resin (Commiphora myrrha) → balsamic, smoky, resinous, slightly bitter.
-
-
Creates a bridge between bright-fresh and deep-mystical tonalities.
2. Aroma Character
-
Opening: luminous, zesty, uplifting citrus sparkle.
-
Heart/Base: resinous, warm, earthy, slightly smoky myrrh.
-
The contrast is the essence: citrus light vs. resinous shadow.
Overall impression: fresh yet meditative, luminous yet grounding.
3. Chemical Nuances
-
From Citrus:
-
Limonene, citral, linalool → juicy, zesty freshness.
-
-
From Myrrh:
-
Furanosesquiterpenes (furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, curzerene) → balsamic, resinous depth.
-
Sesquiterpenes (heerabolene, lindestrene) → earthy, warm complexity.
-
4. Perfume Applications
-
Used in niche perfumery for contrast between daylight (citrus) and mystery (myrrh).
-
Commonly appears in:
-
Incense-citrus blends → meditative colognes with depth.
-
Modern orientals → lighter, fresher resin interpretations.
-
-
Works well with:
-
Citrus + herbs (rosemary, sage, lavender) → aromatic cologne style.
-
Resins (frankincense, benzoin, labdanum) → complex sacred blends.
-
Woody notes (cedar, sandalwood, vetiver) → grounding and warm.
-
-
Example perfumes:
-
Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka (though not citrus, shows sweet myrrh use).
-
Atelier Cologne Encens Céleste → incense-citrus freshness.
-
Some Acqua di Parma and niche blends use citrus-resin combinations.
-
5. Mood & Symbolism
-
Citrus → clarity, joy, vitality.
-
Myrrh → spirituality, grounding, solemnity.
-
Together: a balance of light and depth, evoking both freshness and sacred mystery.
Quick Summary Table
| Attribute | Profile |
|---|---|
| Origin | Accord (citrus oils + myrrh resin) |
| Aroma | Fresh, zesty, luminous + resinous, balsamic, smoky |
| Chemistry | Limonene, citral, linalool (citrus) + furanosesquiterpenes (myrrh) |
| Perfume Role | Fresh-resinous heart/base, contrasts brightness with mysticism |
| Mood | Uplifting yet grounding, spiritual, meditative |
In essence: Citrus Myrrh is a contrast accord — bright citrus sparkles over resinous myrrh depth, creating a fragrance that feels both fresh and spiritual.