Ingredient Guide
Akigalawood is a naturally derived fragrance ingredient developed by the bioscience team at Givaudan. Its scent recalls a little spicy pepper and pure agarwood, or oud added to patchouli. According to Givaudan’s explanation, it is produced by transforming patchouli-derived material with an enzyme called laccase. The company describes the method as environmentally considerate, using mild processing involving salts and water.
Laccase was originally an enzyme that Givaudan’s team used to turn extraction residues easily into raw materials for the perfume industry. This helps ensure that nothing goes to waste.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Akigalawood is Givaudan’s proprietary fragrance ingredient, layering dry patchouli with the bite of black pepper and a dark woody character reminiscent of agarwood. It is a naturally derived material created by enzymatically transforming a previously unused fraction of patchouli oil, and consists of multiple components rather than a single molecule. In perfume, it provides a spicy, woody outline, a room-filling presence, and long-lasting dry depth. Neither an agarwood extract nor an accord imitating oud, it is a distinctive material derived from patchouli.
How to Choose Akigalawood Fragrances
Bois Impérial and Ganymede both contain Akigalawood, yet their directions are quite different: basil in the former, leather in the latter. The choice comes down to green herbs or the texture of leather and minerals.
Comparing Akigalawood Fragrances
Bois Impérial (Essential Parfums)
Thai basil, fresh spices and patchouli bring out the central Akigalawood note. A choice for those who enjoy woody fragrances with green herbs.
Ganymede Eau de Parfum (Marc-Antoine Barrois)
Ganymede explores leather with a mineral character. Mandarin and osmanthus are joined by Akigalawood and immortelle. Rather than the herbs of Bois Impérial, its distinctive texture suggests leather and salt.
Find Your Next Fragrance
To explore more perfumes, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, then search in the “Favorite notes” field. Select a note you like from the results and press “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
