Orris Butter (15% irones) EO


Details

  • Botanical Name: Iris pallida Lam.
  • Origin: France
  • Process: Molecular Distillation
  • Plant Part: Rhizomes, 15% irones content
  • Cultivation: Conventional
  • Use: Natural Perfumery. Always dilute
  • Note: Base to Middle Note, Excellent Fixative
  • Aroma Family: Floral, Woody
  • Aroma: Delicate, sweet, warm, powdery-floral aroma reminiscent of violet flowers with mellow woody undertones; very tenacious, has excellent fixative value.
  • Contraindications: None known.



Product Name SKU Price Qty
  1. Orris Butter (15% irones) Tiny Sample (6 drops) 730-2
    $6.00
  2. Orris Butter (15% irones) 1 gram 730-001
    $30.75
  3. Orris Butter (15% irones) 2 grams 730-002
    $54.50
  4. Orris Butter (15% irones) 5 grams 730-005
    $116.00
  5. Orris Butter (15% irones) 15 grams 730-015
    $294.00
  6. Orris Butter (15% irones) 30 grams 730-030
    $534.00
  7. Orris Butter (15% irones) 50 grams 730-9
    $832.50
  8. For larger sizes or quantities please contact us for pricing and availability.         

Overview

Orris Butter (Orris Root) Essential Oil

Our gorgeous Orris Butter (15% irones), a rare essential oil distilled from the rhizomes of Iris pallida, has a delicate, sweet, warm, powdery-floral aroma reminiscent of violet flowers with mellow woody undertones. This material is very tenacious, has excellent fixative value, and displays its full and impressive strength and diffusion in the dry down, especially when it is highly diluted.

Orris Butter essential oil is often incorrectly referred to as Orris Concrète because it is semi-solid at room temperature. This is due to the presence of myristic acid, the primary constituent in Orris1,2, a saturated fatty acid that is also present in palm and coconut oils.

The essential oil of Iris pallida is highly prized as a fixative and base note in high-end natural perfumery and is obtained from rhizomes that have been in the ground for three years, then dried and aged for three more years.3 Orris rhizomes contain precursors of molecules called irones, whose intense, powerful odor develops only with time. It is during this six-year period that oxidative processes begin to yield irones – the pinnacles of natural perfumery – from which the extraordinary fragrance of Orris arises, making the oil from these roots a favored ingredient in perfumery since the 18th century.4 While Arctander asserts that fresh Orris rhizomes are practically odorless,5 according to Guenther, "Fresh orris roots …possess a rather disagreeable "green" and "herby" odor; whereas the dried roots, upon aging, develop a faint violet odor."6 The high price of Orris Butter is a consequence of labor intensity, low yield and lengthy growth and storage times. Nearly 1,000 tons of fresh Iris rhizomes yield 300 tons after peeling, drying and powdering. One ton of the powder produces a mere 2 kilos of Orris Butter!11

PLEASE NOTE: Orris Butter is perfectly soluble in 190 proof alcohol. It is also soluble in fixed/vegetable oils, however, depending on the percentage of fixed oil, the diluted Orris may re-solidify at room temperature.

For information regarding the use of Orris Butter in natural perfumery, please see:


Aromatic Profile: Delicate, sweet, warm, powdery-floral aroma reminiscent of violet flowers with mellow woody undertones; very tenacious, has excellent fixative value.


Appearance: Cream to light yellow, semi-solid, wax-like, opaque mass that must be gently warmed to become pourable; see special use instructions to blend.


Use: Natural Perfumery


Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your perfume blends until the desired effect is achieved.


Blends Well With: Agarwood, Ambrette, Amyris, Balsam of Peru, Beeswax, Bergamot, Boronia, Carrot Seed, Cassie, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Cistus, Clary Sage, Clove, Cocoa, Coriander, Cypress, Geranium, Hay, Jasmine and other florals, Labdanum, Linden Blossom, Mimosa, Oakmoss, Osmanthus, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang. In very small amounts, Orris "… is an excellent fixative and has the power to amplify other notes in a fragrance."8


Safety Considerations: None known.9 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Lawless, Julia. Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, pp. 155-6.

2 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 496.

3 Ibid.

4 Industry communication.

5 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 496.

6 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. I, 1948, p. 111.

7 Industry communication.

8 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 74.

9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 378.


The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.

Orris Root - Iris pallida

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Customer Reviews for Orris Butter (15% irones) EO

Can't Perfume Without It Review by
Rating
5
This orris is incredible. It can be tricky to work with because it is solid at room temp, but when paired with other earthy notes like Mitti, Carrot, Vetiver... you can get something unlike anything else out there. Highly recommend.
(Posted on 11/1/2019)
Ethereal Review by
Rating
5
I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to sample this material. It is powerful yet delicate, earthy yet clean. It doesn't quite knock you off your feet by first whiff-but once you get acquainted with it you can tell it something very special. Thank you Eden botanicals for allowing us to purchase this in small amounts so it can be affordable to small business owners like myself
(Posted on 8/12/2017)
..now I get it Review by
Rating
5
I've put off purchasing this in favor of other ingredients, as I thought (as a gardener) I knew what it would smell like. Now, I'm so glad I took the plunge! Yes, this is the waxy note so recognizable in women's cosmetics. But it's SO MUCH MORE! Earthy, pleasantly cool, dry, and rich in its pure form. And very radiant, smooth, slightly sweet, and almost magical in a dilution or blend. Maintains its presence well with other things, and is a fantastic "secret ingredient" when paired with top notes. Worth every penny- sample and see!
(Posted on 2/5/2017)
If you can have only one (floral) fixative, this is it Review by
Rating
5
Over the course of 6 years or so, I've hoarded every grain of Eden sample of this product. It is the first note to come to mind each blend I attempt (like, can orris butter be in the blend PLEASE?) although I only rarely add it. Recently I splurged on a larger purchase. The first scent out of the bottle was knock-me-over "sweet earth." The cool, powdery violet note I love so much opened immediately after. It stays true on the scent stick for many days. Last summer I tried a composition, based on Prof. Dussauce' 1868 publication for perfumers, which featured orris. A couple of months later I found the test strip-- after all other notes faded, the orris butter was still clearly detected on the scent strip. Now THAT'S tenacity!
(Posted on 9/18/2015)
Unexpected Review by
Rating
5
Before sampling this, my only experience with iris was in designer fragrances like Dior Homme and the like. I knew they weren't using true orris butter but I've smelled some great imitations of natural scents before so I assumed I knew what iris smelled like. WRONG. In fragrances that use synthetics to recreate the scent it winds up smelling much more like waxy lipstick. The real deal is still waxy, but synthetics don't even come close.

The opening is waxy and doesn't have much character of its own just yet. It smells expensive and soft in texture and it takes a lot to really come forward in a blend. After a while though it's character starts to show itself and it's very difficult to describe.
(Posted on 9/15/2015)
A TOTAL WIN Review by
Rating
5
I LOVE this!!! This is one of those things you must sample. I tried this months ago and it blew me away. Perfect for rainy day themed or sea themed (I think). Very calming, almost euphoriant. It has this balance or powdery dryness of floral with the wet and aquatic root and earth feel. Very bridging. I strongly encourage to buy!! Makes ylang ylang complete fine smell like a pure aqua. Perfect for a watery note. Not salty or briny, just wet. So pretty! The depth it has on florals and patchouli is just fantastic!!
(Posted on 12/27/2014)
Excellent Review by
Rating
5
Melted it into jojoba oil and got about 10X at limits of liquidity at room temperature. Smells just great. Best source I've found.
(Posted on 8/24/2014)
An ultrafine natural orris material with stunning iris / violet floralcy Review by
Rating
5
Many do not know the pleasure of working with true Orris Butter but it is unlike any other material. The quality of this Orris Butter is stellar and the higher irones makes it smoother, more floral and truly buttery. It is wonderful in classical floral heart accords and as it is a rare and expensive material, the fact that eden sell it in small quantities allows amateur perfumers to experience the joy of this material.
(Posted on 3/20/2013)