Orris Absolute — Iris germanica | Light Powdery Violet | Origin China

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

Orris Absolute — An Accessible Entry into the World of Iris

Genuine orris materials command some of the highest prices in natural perfumery, and for good reason — the rhizomes must be aged for years before extraction, and yields are notoriously low. This Orris Absolute, solvent extracted from the dried rhizomes of Iris germanica, offers a genuinely different route into the orris family: an approachable, fluid absolute with a lighter irone content than our premium Pallida and Germanica resinoids, making it a natural starting point for perfumers wanting to explore the powdery-violet character of orris without committing to the price of the aged, high-irone materials.

This is not a substitute for the depth and complexity of our aged resinoids — it is a distinct material in its own right, lighter and more immediately floral, with real charm and versatility for compositions that call for a softer orris presence.

Scent Profile

Smooth, floral, and gently powdery — the opening is sweet and violet-forward, with a soft, creamy quality reminiscent of milky white chocolate. Subtle bitter-green undertones lend the material a touch of natural dryness and realism, preventing it from reading as merely sweet, while gentle nutty facets add depth as it develops. The overall impression is light and elegant rather than dense or resinous — a more immediately accessible expression of the orris character.

Perfumery Applications

A versatile middle note and fixative, well suited to powdery florals, soft ambers, musky compositions, and suede-style accords where a gentle orris presence is wanted without excessive depth or cost. It blends readily with violet, rose, and jasmine in floral structures, and with sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, and soft musks in woody-ambery compositions. A useful and affordable way to bring orris character into a working palette, or to layer alongside our premium resinoids for added complexity.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with violet, rose absolute, jasmine, sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, cocoa absolute, soft musks, and leather accords. Works well layered with our Orris Pallida or Orris Germanica Resinoids for a more complex, multi-dimensional orris accord.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Iris germanica L.
• Common Name: Orris Absolute
• Botanical Family: Iridaceae
• INCI Name: Iris Germanica Root Extract
• CAS Number: 8002-73-1
• Origin: China
• Plant Part: Dried rhizome
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Irone Content: 4.5%
• Classification: Middle note, fixative
• Appearance: Fluid liquid
• Odour Family: Floral / Powdery / Violet / Sweet / Warm
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural absolute
• Note: A lighter, more accessible orris material — distinct in character and price from our premium aged Orris Pallida and Orris Germanica Resinoids

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.