Iris is a highly sought after and luxurious fragrance note used in many perfumes. It is often described as elegant, sophisticated and timeless and has an earthy, woody, powdery character that is often combined with violet and root notes to create an elegant atmosphere. Popular perfumes that contain iris include Chanel No. 5, Thierry Mugler Angel and Dior J'adore.
However, the production of iris absolute is a laborious and expensive process. The roots of the iris plant must be dug up manually every year before being peeled and dried. The roots are then steam distilled to obtain iris butter. 1 kg of iris butter can be obtained from around 10,000 kg of peeled and dried roots.
The essential iris oil, which serves as the basis for many fragrances, is only obtained through a further processing step, the so-called "freezing". Here, the iris butter is cooled until the solidifying waxy components separate. These can be dissolved by adding drinking spirit (which is then evaporated again). It is one of the most expensive and precious essential oils.
Overall, iris is a timeless fragrance note that is constantly being reinterpreted and plays an important role in creating a luxurious fragrance bouquet. Despite its high cost, it remains a valued choice for perfume manufacturers who value quality and exclusivity.
