Iris

In fine fragrance, the classic “iris” smell usually comes from the plant’s rhizome after a long drying and processing period, producing orris materials. It does not mainly come from distilling the iris flower. It typically smells powdery, buttery, earthy, cool, violet-like and sometimes carrot-like. Iris is usually a heart-to-base note that adds elegance, softness and a dry powdery texture to florals, woods and musks. Iris is the consumer-facing note name; orris refers more specifically to the processed iris-root material used in perfumery.