Bergamot

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Bergamot is a citrus fruit grown mainly for its peel, which is cold-pressed to give a fragrant oil. The scent is bright and sparkling, a little floral and slightly bitter, softer than lemon and less sweet than orange. Perfumers reach for it at the opening of a fragrance because it lifts everything that follows. It pairs with lavender, neroli, woods and musk, and it is the classic start of many colognes and fresh woody scents. Bergamot evaporates quickly, so it announces a perfume rather than anchoring it. Expect a clean, sunny first impression with a faint green bitterness underneath.

Bergamot is almost always a top note in this range, and it gives the first spray its sparkle before the heart and base notes take over.