Of all the EB offerings I have diluted into drams for blind "nose" practice, this is the one that has most often made me pause and go, "Now what IS that?" After about ten seconds: "Ah, yes. Oakmoss." Easily recognizable in a blend it but on its own it throws me in a sly way, and all I can think is, "This is not a flower. This is not a wood. This is its own thing." Disarmingly classic in that sense. So glad I understand now how fundamental this little lichen has been to so much of perfumery, and while I have not smelled other oakmoss absolutes I trust that EB's offering is true to their beautifully high standards. This is a deep, dark, stately fixative and oh so evocative of a "faerie wood" when in a blend with Agarwood CO2. I have ordered more so I can focus on learning the craft of that universally appealing chypre. :)

Review by Rebecca 8/26/2016

I've been doing some reading about the brouhaha about the restrictions on the use of oakmoss in European fragrances. A wonderful parfumier in Switzerland has opined about the ill-advisedness of such prohibitions when climate change, tobacco and alcohol and gasoline overuse get a free pass. (I don't remember ever hearing about anyone dying from wearing Joy, for instance.). It seems like the Northern European commerce people are trying to restrict the olfactory power and finances of the lush, creative, temperate Southern Europeans. Figures. Another reason to break up the EU! It used to be if one was allergic to an ingredient, he stayed away from it. Such discretionary products such as fragrances with oakmoss should not be restricted as if they were non-discretionary (like core foods such as meat, eggs, milk, vegetable quality). This pandering to the lowest common denominator is killing creativity, quality, and joy -- much as it has in politics, environmentalism, and education. Just my two cents'.

Review by HighAndDry 6/7/2015

I have been using this reduced atranol Oakmoss absolute for some time now and I enjoy the aroma a great deal. Despite being "IFRA-compliant" it is important to know that the absolute still contains atranol and chloroatranol (jsut at lower levels), both of which are skin-sensitizing. Safety requires that one continue to adhere to recommended safe levels in formula (0.1% of finished product) to avoid skin-sensitization.

Review by KPCNose 4/22/2015

This on its own is an AMAZING oil. Rich, powdery, earthy to the marine level. Very nice for aquatic accords, oceanic recreations, fine woods and even leathery styles. Aromaticly a pleasure to blend with it slap on and wear by itself. I TOTALLY sense the oak/bourbon effect. It's base notes are lovely as well! Aromatherapy wise, I felt grounded and peaceful. so I guess meditation, stress releif and what ever physical effects. Either way ill be looking to buy more!

Review by MD 1/22/2015

This is a masculine sexiness in a bottle. Earthy, rich, sensual. Using it in my masculine blends (not much more than this needed), and it is absolutely divine. Nothing else smells like it. My favorite from Eden Botanicals (and I have almost all of them).

Review by Toi Lynn 11/18/2014