The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Sequoia in Rye takes its name literally: sequoias and rye barrels. The American West Coast's monumental trees, reimagined through the barrel-aging process Scents of Wood built its philosophy around. Launched in 2023 with perfumer Delphine Lebeau Krowiakj at the composition, the fragrance asks what happens when ancient forest meets aged spirit. The answer lives in that tension, monumental cold versus warm wood, vast scale compressed into something intimate and wearable.
The note structure is unusual. Sequoia wood as a named note is rare enough, but the pairing with mate in the base is what sets this apart from standard woody compositions. Mate is yerba mate, the herbal, bitter leaf used in South American drinks. Here it grounds the cedar and sequoia, pulling them away from sweetness and toward something more aromatic, almost medicinal. The frankincense and elemi add smoke and brightness respectively, while ISO-E-Super and Ambroxan create the transparent, cedar-like quality that makes the woods feel both massive and intimately close.
The evolution
The opening announces itself with elemi's citrusy brightness cutting through the density. ISO-E-Super lifts immediately, that transparent cedar quality arriving within minutes. Sequoia wood arrives bold, enormous, slightly resinous, like standing next to the actual tree. Pine needle adds needle-sharp green. Frankincense arrives smoky and dry. Then the hand-off: elemi fades, the transparent wood-smoke stays, and mate emerges as a lingering herbal counterpoint that some compare to the bitter mate tea itself. The drydown is intimate, 6-8 hours of cedar-smoke that stays close, never filling the room but definitely announcing itself to anyone leaning in.
Cultural impact
Woody fragrances hold a special place in perfumery's history, connecting wearers to forests, nature, and timeless strength. Sequoia trees, among the oldest living organisms on Earth, have long symbolized endurance and quiet power. Scents of Wood's philosophy of capturing wood at different stages of its life reflects a broader cultural movement toward authentic, sustainable luxury. The brand's minimalist aesthetic and focus on raw materials represent a shift away from synthetic complexity toward genuine olfactory experiences. Sequoia in Rye embodies this philosophy, merging California's rugged natural beauty with modern European fragrance technique. The use of both sequoia and Virginia cedar creates a bridge between American and classic perfumery traditions.
