Rose Blossom, Absolute

Rose absolute and rose otto come from the same flower and do not smell the same. Distillation loses much of the phenylethyl alcohol to the still water, because the molecule dissolves readily in it. Solvent extraction keeps it. That single difference accounts for the deeper, honeyed character of the absolute.

01 · Origin

Rosa damascena, the damask rose, is grown for perfumery across Anatolia. This absolute is produced in Turkey from conventionally cultivated blossom, picked by hand early in the day while the flowers are fresh.

02 · Process

The blossoms are first extracted to a waxy concrete. Washing the concrete with alcohol separates the aromatic fraction from the plant waxes, and the alcohol is then removed. Phenylethyl alcohol leads the profile. Citronellol and geraniol follow, with nonadecane and nonadecene from the wax fraction in smaller part.

03 · In Practice

Deep, warm and rosy, with a honeyed, slightly spicy body. A heart note with considerable tenacity on the skin. Natural perfumery, skincare formulation and massage blends at low dilution. Set beside Rose Blossom, Morocco (No. 12551), the effect of extraction method on one species is easy to study. Blends with sandalwood, jasmine, geranium, bergamot, patchouli and vetiver.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.