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    Ingredient Profile

    Scots pine fragrance note

    Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, delivers a crisp, resinous aroma that captures the clean air of a forest after rain, merging bright needle gre…More

    Scotland

    1

    Fragrances

    Fragrances featuring Scots pine

    Character

    The Story of Scots pine

    Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, delivers a crisp, resinous aroma that captures the clean air of a forest after rain, merging bright needle green with warm woody depth.

    Heritage

    Scots pine has guided human scent culture for millennia. Ancient Egyptian scribes recorded the use of pine resin and needle extracts in embalming mixtures, valuing its preservative qualities. Medieval European apothecaries distilled pine needles to create a crisp tonic used in both medicine and early perfume blends. The 19th-century rise of modern perfumery saw chemists isolate α-pinene, confirming the note’s bright, resinous character and prompting its inclusion in classic fougère and aromatic compositions. During World War II, pine oil supplied both fragrance and disinfectant needs, reinforcing its versatility. Today, Scandinavian artisans celebrate the note as the "welcome mat" of the forest, echoing the scent that first greets travelers after rain or snow.

    At a Glance

    Fragrances

    1

    Feature this note

    Origin

    Scotland

    Primary source region

    Ingredient Details

    Extraction

    Steam distillation

    Used Parts

    Needles and young twigs

    Did You Know

    "Scots pine oil was used in ancient Egyptian embalming rituals, making it one of the oldest recorded perfume ingredients."

    Production

    How Scots pine Is Made

    Scots pine oil emerges from the fresh needles and young twigs of Pinus sylvestris harvested in early summer. Harvesters cut the green growth, remove excess bark, and transport the material to a distillation facility within 24 hours to preserve volatile compounds. In a stainless-steel still, steam passes through the plant matter at 100°C for three hours. The vapor carries monoterpenes, chiefly α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene, into a condenser where it returns to liquid form. The resulting oil is colourless to pale yellow, with a clear, resinous aroma. Yield averages 0.2-0.5% by weight, making the process efficient yet selective. After collection, the oil rests in inert containers to allow sediment to settle, then it is filtered and sealed in amber glass to protect it from light and oxidation.

    Provenance

    Scotland

    Scotland56.5°N, 4.2°W

    About Scots pine