Blackcurrant Cassis Bud Absolute — Ribes nigrum | LMR Burgundy, France | Perfumery Grade

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

Blackcurrant Cassis Bud Absolute — The Green Fruity Jewel of Burgundy

Blackcurrant bud absolute is one of the most celebrated and most sought-after natural materials in contemporary fine fragrance — a genuinely remarkable extraction from the dormant buds of Ribes nigrum harvested in Burgundy, France, before they open into leaf or flower. This is the material that makes great perfumers' eyes light up: intensely fruity, arrestingly green, and possessed of a distinctive sulphurous-catty quality that is simultaneously challenging and irresistible — the olfactory signature of blackcurrant in its most concentrated and most authentic form.

This absolute is produced by LMR — Laboratoire Monique Rémy — one of the most respected natural ingredient houses in the world, whose materials are reserved for special uses and clients at the very highest level of fine fragrance. The same type of material appears in Jean-Claude Ellena's landmark Un Jardin sur le Nil for Hermès, where it contributes to his celebrated green mango accord. It is, quite simply, the finest blackcurrant bud absolute available at retail anywhere in the world.

Scent Profile

The opening is immediate, electrifying, and unmistakably cassis — a vibrant, sparkling green-fruity character of extraordinary intensity, combining the jammy sweetness of ripe blackcurrant with a distinctive sulphurous-catty quality and a fizzy, almost effervescent quality that lifts and brightens whatever surrounds it. This catty note — produced by specific sulphurous compounds naturally present in blackcurrant buds — is the signature that no synthetic approximation fully captures, and its presence here is correctly calibrated: assertive and authentic without becoming harsh. The heart reveals spicy-woody and green minty-sulphurous facets of considerable complexity. The drydown is long and deeply woody-earthy — a remarkable transformation from the bright fruity opening into something more structural and tenacious, anchoring compositions with exceptional staying power.

Use in trace amounts — often below 1% of concentrate. This is one of the most potent naturals available and its character is assertive at even very low concentrations. Its power to lift, brighten, and add sparkling naturalism to a composition is felt at doses where it cannot be consciously identified.

Perfumery Applications

Blackcurrant bud absolute functions primarily as an exalting agent and lifting material — its exceptional ability to brighten and lift compositions makes it invaluable for preventing heavy white florals from becoming too indolic, for adding sparkling naturalism to citrus blends, and for creating seamless transitions between citrus top notes and floral hearts. It bridges olfactory families with unusual facility — its green facets connecting to herbaceous notes, its fruity aspects linking to other berry and tropical materials, its woody drydown anchoring base materials.

IFRA 51: Completely unrestricted — no limitation in any application category, at any concentration.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with violet leaf, galbanum, rose absolute, jasmine, neroli, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, blackcurrant leaf, tomato leaf, green tea, oakmoss, vetiver, sandalwood, and soft musks. The combination with violet leaf and rose for a classic chypre-inspired green floral accord is particularly rewarding. Use alongside bergamot and lemon for a sparkling citrus opening of unusual naturalism.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Ribes nigrum L.
• Common Names: Blackcurrant / Cassis
• Botanical Family: Grossulariaceae
• Manufacturer: LMR (Laboratoire Monique Rémy), France
• INCI Name: Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Bud Extract
• CAS Number: 97676-19-2
• Origin: Burgundy, France
• Plant Part: Buds
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Classification: Base note
• Appearance: Dark liquid of good tenacity
• Odour Family: Fruity / Green / Sulphurous / Woody / Cassis
• IFRA 51: Unrestricted — no limitation in any application category
• 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.