Fragrance note

Leather Perfumes

A leather perfume is a fragrance in which a leather note sets the character – sometimes soft as suede, sometimes smoky, dry and dark. Because leather itself yields no fragrance oil, the note is built as an accord, classically from birch tar and the molecule isobutyl quinoline.

More about Leather Perfumes

Baz Cuir von The Spirit of Dubai, Flakon

Baz Cuir, The Spirit of Dubai, Accord Collection

€425,00

(€4.722,22/L)

Arabians Rose Leather von Montale, Flakon

Arabians Rose Leather, Montale Paris

€145,00

(€1.450,00/L)

Set

Cuoio, Eredi Zucca

From €9,00

(€9.000,00/L)

This is not a blue bottle 1.3

From €52,00

(€3.466,67/L)

Alter Ego 786 von Maison Noir, 100 ml, Flakon

Alter Ego 786, Maison Noir

From €125,00

(€2.500,00/L)

Kill the Lights von Gritti Profumi, 100 ml, Flakon

Kill the Lights, Gritti Venetia

€260,00

(€2.600,00/L)

Replica Under the Stars von Maison Margiela, 100 ml, Flakon

Replica Under the Stars, Maison Margiela

From €78,00

(€2.600,00/L)

Mana, Nishane Prestige Collection

€575,00

(€11.500,00/L)

Absolute Aphrodisiac von Initio Parfums Privés, Flakon

Absolute Aphrodisiac, Initio Parfums Privés

€280,00

(€3.111,11/L)

New

Deified Tony Iommi von Xerjoff, 50 ml, Flakon

Deified Tony Iommi, Xerjoff Blends

From €12,00

(€6.000,00/L)

Handgenähtes Cognac-Leder, dunkler Lederhandschuh und gerollte Birkenrinde mit Rauch

Knowledge

Birch tar and isobutyl quinoline: how leather is made in perfume

The model is Russia leather: after tanning, it was soaked in birch oil, which made it water-resistant, kept insects away and gave it its unmistakable smell. The oil was obtained by letting birch bark smoulder slowly in covered pits for up to ten days. In the late 19th century, isobutyl quinoline (C₁₃H₁₅N) arrived – a fully synthetic aroma chemical with a dark, earthy leather effect. It is so powerful that 0.1 to 0.5 per cent of the fragrance concentrate is usually enough.

In a fragrance, leather feels sensual and self-assured. With saffron and oud it turns oriental; with iris and violet it becomes powdery and elegant; with vanilla, tonka or tobacco it grows soft and warm. Delicate suede already suits spring, while smoky, dark leather is at its finest in autumn and winter.

How the note behaves

Soft suede

Velvety, light and powdery, often with iris, violet or flowers. Elegant for every day.

Oriental with oud

Leather with saffron, oud and rose. Deep, warm and festive.

Smoky & dark

With birch tar, tobacco or incense. Bold, for autumn and winter evenings.

Curious factGrasse was a tanning town first: because the leather smelt so strongly, gloves began to be perfumed. In 1614 the king recognised the guild of glovers-perfumers – the beginning of Grasse as the city of perfume.

Knowledge to share

Myth or truth?

1 / 3

Statement 1

The leather scent in perfume comes from real leather.

MYTH

Myth. Leather accords are built from birch tar, resins and molecules – real leather never goes into the bottle.

Statement 2

Russia leather owes its scent to birch.

TRUTH

True. The famous Russia leather was treated with birch-bark oil, and its smoky scent was regarded as a mark of quality.

Statement 3

The perfume town of Grasse has its roots in tanning.

TRUTH

True. In the 17th century, tanners in Grasse grew jasmine to perfume their leather.

Frequently asked questions

Is real leather used in leather perfumes?

No. Leather yields no fragrance oil. The note is an accord, built from materials such as birch tar, isobutyl quinoline, resins and animalic accents.

Are leather fragrances only for men?

No. Suede with iris or flowers feels distinctly feminine, while smoky leather is bolder. Many fragrances in this edit are unisex.

How long does a leather fragrance last?

Leather usually sits in the base and is among the most long-lasting parts of a perfume. Exactly how long depends on the concentration and your skin. With every bottle from 30 ml, we include a 2 ml sample of the same fragrance.

Die Lederdüfte Cuoium, Ikarus und Vanille Leather zwischen heller Birkenrinde und rauchigem Bernsteinlicht

4D Journal Leather in perfume: How does something smell that was never in the bottle? Read more

2 ml samplewith every bottle from 30 ml

Free shippingto Austria and Germany from €200

Boutique Bregenzevery fragrance to try