Fragrance Note
Bitter Almond
Bitter almond delivers a marzipan-like, slightly cherry-pip aroma · the same "almond" character found in amaretto liqueur. Built around the molecule benzaldehyde.
About Bitter Almond
True bitter almond oil contains benzaldehyde · the molecule responsible for the characteristic "almond" aroma · alongside trace amounts of cyanide, which is why edible almond extract today is almost always synthetic. In fragrance the note is built using synthetic benzaldehyde, sometimes paired with heliotropin for a softer, more vanilla-like finish. Bitter almond anchors Guerlain L'Heure Bleue (1912), Tom Ford Lost Cherry, and many modern gourmand-aldehydic compositions. The aroma reads as marzipan, slightly cherry-pip, with a faintly powdery quality.
Featured in 6 The Fragrance World perfumes
Common questions about Bitter Almond
- What does Bitter Almond smell like?
- Bitter almond delivers a marzipan-like, slightly cherry-pip aroma · the same "almond" character found in amaretto liqueur. Built around the molecule benzaldehyde.
- Where does Bitter Almond come from?
- Synthetic accord (benzaldehyde)
- Is Bitter Almond a top, heart, or base note?
- Heart
- Which TFW fragrances feature Bitter Almond?
- 6 TFW fragrances currently feature Bitter Almond. See the list on this page for the full set.