Turkish Mountain Cedar Tar — Cedrus libani | Smoky Spiced Woody | Wild Harvested

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

Turkish Mountain Cedar Tar — Smoke, Spice, and the Mountains of Turkey

This is not the cedarwood most perfumers know. Where our Cedar of Lebanon essential oil captures the creamy, warm, incense-like character of Cedrus libani through conventional steam distillation, this Turkish Mountain Cedar Tar is produced by an entirely different method — dry distillation of the aromatic heartwood, a traditional technique combined with a specially developed extraction process to yield a dark, intensely smoky material of real character and depth.

The wood is harvested from wild Cedrus libani trees growing in the mountains of Turkey, chipped to expose the resinous heartwood, and dry distilled to capture an aromatic profile that conventional steam distillation simply cannot reach — the same principle that separates a smoky whisky or a birch tar from their gentler distilled cousins. The result is a dark brown liquid of genuine complexity, a masterpiece for perfumers seeking authentic smoky depth from a wild, sustainably sourced natural source.

Scent Profile

Smoky and intense from the very first breath — a rich, spicy, clove-like warmth immediately announces this as something far removed from conventional cedarwood. Unexpected facets of baked goods and barbecue char develop alongside the smoke, joined by a slight patchouli-like earthiness and a leathery, henna-tinged darkness reminiscent of choya loban and other traditional smoky resins. Underneath it all sits a genuinely woody backbone — this is cedarwood at its most dramatic and transformative, a base note of real presence and considerable staying power.

Perfumery Applications

Turkish Mountain Cedar Tar is a character material for the adventurous perfumer — a genuine masterpiece of the palette for compositions that call for authentic smoky depth. It excels in leather accords, where its tar-like darkness adds genuine botanical smokiness that synthetic leather notes cannot replicate. In woody oriental structures it provides a dramatic, spiced base; in oud and incense compositions its smoky-resinous character deepens and complicates the accord with real distinction. Use with restraint initially — this is a potent, transformative material that announces itself clearly even in small quantities.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with patchouli, oud, frankincense, myrrh, labdanum, birch tar, choya loban, leather accords, clove, black pepper, vetiver, sandalwood, and dark resinous bases.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Cedrus libani A. Rich.
• Common Names: Cedar of Lebanon / Cedar Tar
• Botanical Family: Pinaceae
• INCI Name: Cedrus Libani Cedarwood Oil
• Origin: Turkey
• Cultivation: Wild harvested
• Plant Part: Wood
• Extraction Method: Dry distillation
• Classification: Base note
• Appearance: Dark brown liquid
• Odour Family: Smoky / Spicy / Woody / Leathery
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural essential oil, wild harvested
• Note: Distinct from our Cedar of Lebanon Essential Oil — same wild Turkish species, entirely different extraction method and character

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.