In perfumery, the rose is an olfactory treasure — the undisputed queen of floral compositions. Two varieties reign supreme in the most refined creations: Rosa centifolia,cultivated in Grasse, and Rosa damascena,grown in Bulgaria and Turkey. Each reveals its unique facets through extraction processes that shape their olfactory signature
La rose centifoliadelicate and full-bodied lends itself beautifully tohydrodistillation. This traditional method passes steam through freshly harvested petals. Under the effect of heat, aromatic molecules are released, then condensed into an essence that is both pure and luminous.
La rose damascenaintensely fragrant, also thrives in a more contemporary technique : solvent extractionPetals are placed in contact with a volatile solvent that dissolves the aromatic compounds. After the solvent evaporates, a waxy, highly concentrated material known as the concrete remains. This then undergoes alcohol treatment,which isolates the aromatic molecules to produceabsolu de th rose notedeeper, more velvety, and more sensual than the distilled essence.
Essence and absolute do not compete — they complement each other. Essence shines with freshness and brightness, while the absolute seduces with richness and warmth. Together, they offer perfumers an infinite palette to express the rose in all its majesty, from the blush of a morning petal to the amber-tinted glow of dusk.
