Some Uncommon Fragrances I Love (Part 2)
In candle-making, some fragrance notes get all the attention—vanilla, lavender, cinnamon. But I’ve always been drawn to the less expected, the quiet ones that bring real depth and soul to a scent. These are the notes that anchor a candle, stir emotion, and spark curiosity.
Here are a few more uncommon fragrances I love using in Ritual Candle Co. creations—each one with its own unique magic.
Amyris
Known as “candlewood” in Haiti for how easily it lights, amyris is often compared to sandalwood—but with a dry, peppery edge. Soft and grounding, it brings warmth without overpowering sweetness. Amyris is often used in woody candles for clarity and calm, and pairs beautifully with cedarwood, oud, or patchouli for deeper, more meditative blends.
Rating: ★★★★★
Ritual Candles with Amyris: Tree Hugger
Benzoin
Benzoin is resin tapped from Styrax trees and smells like warm vanilla wrapped in soft spice and caramel. It adds a gentle, powdery sweetness to blends and acts as a fixative to help the scent linger. It’s great in vanilla-forward candles with resinous depth that feel both comforting and elegant.
Rating: ★★★
Black Cardamom
Smokier and bolder than its green cousin, black cardamom is dried over open flames, giving it a rich aroma of camphor, spice, and earth. It adds edge and mystery to candles, especially when paired with wood or amber. Try a spiced candle with smoky black cardamom when you want something bold and grounding.
Rating: ★★★★
Black Currant (Cassis)
Sweet, tart, and a little wild, black currant (also called cassis) isn’t your average fruity note. It smells green, woody, and slightly animalic beneath its juicy surface, making it perfect for sensual black currant candles with fruity complexity. It works beautifully with florals, woods, or citrus.
Rating: ★★★★★
Ritual Candles with Black Currant: Cowpoke Potion - The Lookout Exclusive Collection only available in store
Driftwood
Think sun-bleached wood and salty ocean air. Driftwood brings a light, airy base with just a hint of mustiness, perfect for evoking the feeling of walking a quiet beach. You’ll find it in coastal driftwood candles with a fresh, watery finish—often paired with jasmine or freesia for softness.
Rating: ★★★★
Maple Bourbon
This rich blend combines warm vanilla, toasted oak, and sweet maple with the comforting burn of bourbon. Maple bourbon adds cozy complexity to a candle—like wrapping yourself in a flannel blanket by a crackling fire. Look for bourbon maple candles with caramel undertones for the ultimate cozy vibe.
Rating: ★★★★
Marine / Aquatic
These modern notes capture the crisp, airy scent of sea spray and wind-swept cliffs. Marine (or aquatic) notes are often created with a molecule called calone, which mimics fresh ocean air. I use them in clean ocean-scented candles that bring clarity and calm—think beach day in a jar.
Rating: ★★★★
Ritual Candles with Marine/Aquatic Notes: Ocean Breeze
Oakmoss
Raw, earthy, and grounding, oakmoss smells like a damp forest floor. It’s actually a lichen that grows on oak trees and gives candles a base of warmth and musk. I’m hoping to use for candles with mossy depth; to bottle the magic of a misty woodland walk.
Rating: ★★★★
Petrichor
That smell after it rains? That’s petrichor. It’s the scent of minerals, clay, and warm earth right after a storm. It’s subtle and emotional—a little nostalgic, a little clean. I use it in candles with rain-inspired scents to capture those calm, quiet moments that feel like a reset.
Rating: ★★★★★
Ritual Candles with Petrichor: Rainy Day
Saffron
The world’s most luxurious spice also makes an unforgettable fragrance. Saffron is spicy, leathery, and slightly metallic. It adds a bold, exotic touch to warm blends. Look for saffron candles with amber and vanilla when you want something mysterious, radiant, and a little daring.
Rating: ★★★★★
Ritual Candles with Saffron: Grounded
Sea Salt
Unlike table salt, sea salt has a distinct mineral edge and is often recreated with seaweed extracts or marine notes. It brings brightness and texture to ocean-inspired candles and plays beautifully with citrus or driftwood. It’s used in salt air candles for beachy freshness and energy.
Rating: ★★★★
Final Thoughts
I love exploring these less common scents—not just for the uniqueness they bring, but for how they feel. Each one tells a story and creates a different kind of moment. Whether you’re craving clarity, grounding, or cozy warmth, there’s something magical in finding a fragrance that speaks to you.
Let me know your favorite, and keep an eye out for Part 3…
