What Are Accords?
Some fragrance descriptions mention notes; others mention accords. They’re not the same thing.
An accord is a deliberate blend of several materials, combined in specific proportions to create a single, unified impression, rather than being perceived as separate ingredients. Amber, for example, isn’t one raw material but an accord of labdanum, benzoin and vanilla; a good “leather” or “gourmand” description is usually an accord too, built from several notes working together.
Why perfumers build accords
A single raw material rarely captures a complex idea like “leather” or “amber” on its own — accords let a perfumer construct impressions and effects that no individual note could achieve alone, much as a chord conveys something a single musical note cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘oud’ always a single note or sometimes an accord?
Both exist — pure natural oud oil is a single material; many commercial “oud” fragrances use an oud accord, blending synthetic and/or natural elements to recreate the character.
Discover well-built accords in our Perfume Oils.
