Laurel Leaf Absolute — Laurus nobilis | Spicy Green Aromatic | H Reynaud Fils, France

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Laurel Leaf Absolute — Bay Laurel in Its Fullest Expression

The bay laurel — Laurus nobilis — is one of the oldest aromatic plants in human civilisation. Laurel wreaths crowned the poets and generals of ancient Greece and Rome; the leaves have flavoured Mediterranean cooking for millennia. Yet the absolute is a far rarer and more nuanced material — one that the distilled oil only hints at. Solvent extracted by H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, from the leaves of Laurus nobilis cultivated in France, it captures the full aromatic character of the laurel leaf: spicy, warm, medicinal-sweet, and deeply herbaceous, with a green freshness and a woody drydown of real tenacity.

Scent Profile

The opening is spicy and immediately recognisable — the warm, medicinal-sweet quality of fresh bay leaf, richer and more complex than the essential oil, with a distinctive eugenol-like spiciness. Green herbaceous facets develop alongside a pleasant fresh lift. The heart is warm and aromatic, with camphoraceous and woody notes building into a drydown of considerable tenacity. A dark green, viscous but mobile liquid.

Perfumery Applications

Laurel leaf absolute is one of the most versatile character notes in natural perfumery. In masculine aromatic compositions it adds a spicy Mediterranean character; in chypres it deepens the herbaceous-green heart; in orientals it provides a warm, slightly medicinal counterpoint. Use at moderate concentrations — its spicy character is assertive.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with clary sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, bergamot, lemon, cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss, labdanum, frankincense, rose absolute, geranium, and spice materials such as black pepper and cardamom.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis L.
• Common Names: Bay Laurel / Sweet Bay / True Laurel
• Botanical Family: Lauraceae
• Supplier: H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, France
• Origin: France
• Plant Part: Leaves
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Classification: Heart note (middle to top)
• Appearance: Mobile liquid — supplied in DPG carrier for ease of handling, standard industry practice
• Odour Family: Herbaceous / Spicy / Green / Medicinal-Sweet
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural absolute

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml, 10ml and 30ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.