Juniper

Juniper berries come from Juniperus communis, an evergreen shrub, and are the flavouring behind gin. The berries and sometimes the twigs are distilled for an oil that smells crisp, piney and resinous, with a peppery edge and a clean, cool freshness. It sits between green and woody. Perfumers use it to give fresh and aromatic fragrances an outdoor, forest-and-spirits character, and it blends well with citrus, lavender, cypress and vetiver. In smaller amounts it simply makes a composition feel cleaner and more structured.

Juniper spreads evenly across the top and heart in this range, adding a crisp, gin-like freshness that keeps woods and spice from feeling heavy.