Ingredient Guide
Juniper is a conifer in the cypress family, known in Japanese as seiyō-nezu. Its round berries are smaller than blueberries and take about two to three years to ripen from green to black before they are harvested. The essential oil is then obtained by steam distillation.
Its scent is aromatic, slightly bitter, fresh, and sharp.
All gin is flavored with juniper, and its name also derives from juniper: it was called genever in and around the Netherlands, becoming gin in Britain.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Juniper berry essential oil is a natural fragrance material obtained by steam-distilling the berries. In perfume, its sparkling, gin-like freshness brings coniferous green notes and a peppery dryness, sharpening an aromatic composition. Rectified grades can also unfold from gin-like, green coniferous top notes into a quieter woody, resinous background. It is used in the heart of fougère and aromatic fragrances as well, combining the brightness of the berry oil with woody depth.
Choosing Juniper Berry Fragrances
Juniper berry combines gin-like freshness with the greenness of conifers and the scent of dry wood.
- Lively gin notes: Citrus and herbs suit those who enjoy sparkling freshness.
- Green woods: Cedar and similar pairings suit those who prefer dry woody scents to fruity sweetness.
- A soft finish: Musk and amber bring a rounded scent after the fresh opening.
Fragrances Featuring Juniper Berry
Escentric 02 (Escentric Molecules)
Juniper berry is paired with lime and bergamot, then layered with Hedione and Ambroxan. Its freshness recalls gin and tonic.
Orphéon Eau de Toilette (Diptyque)
Green mandarin, juniper berry, and cedar lead the fragrance. Inspired by the start of an evening in a Parisian bar, it moves from bright citrus to flowers and woods.
From Juniper Berry to Your Next Fragrance
Once you have a sense of the scents you enjoy, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, search in the “Favorite notes” field, and select an option from the suggestions shown. Choose “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
