Woody, creamy, and violet-like from the opening, with the distinctive dry, powdery iris character that no synthetic can fully replicate. The scent is simultaneously earthy and elegant: a deep, fatty, slightly waxy quality sits beneath the violet and wood notes, and a soft fruity undertone adds warmth and roundness. On a smelling strip the ROI appears modest and the life relatively short, but orris behaves differently on skin and in a fully developed formula, where its complexity and fixative power reveal themselves over time. It is a material that requires patience and a full formula context to appreciate.

Orris Butter works as a violet-iris heart note, powdery woody modifier, creamy floral base anchor, and fixative across fine fragrance and luxury personal care. Best suited to fine fragrance, creams, candles, and incense; poor stability in soap and rinse-off applications.

Recommended concentration: 0.25% minimum, 2.5% average, up to 17% maximum in a finished compound.

Particularly effective in:

Violet and iris-led fine fragrance as the natural core material
Powdery floral and floral chypre structures
Green transparent florals where orris adds a natural, earthy depth
Amber and oriental bases where creamy, woody depth is needed
Tobacco and forest-type compositions
Luxury candles and pot pourri (rated excellent for both)

Blends well with:

Woody materials: cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, cypress
Florals: rose, violet, mimosa
Resins: labdanum
Citrus: bergamot for a fresh top note lift
Herbs: clary sage
Ionones and methyl ionones to amplify the violet character

Material Type: Concrete (also known as Orris Butter)
Botanical Name: Iris pallida Lam.
Common Names: Orris Concrete; Orris Butter; Orris Root Concrete; Flag Iris; Pale Iris
Plant Part: Rhizomes (3-year-old, dried and aged)
Extraction Method: Solvent extraction of aged, dried rhizomes
CAS Number: 8002-73-1
FEMA: 2829
Origin: Confirm from batch documentation (typically Tuscany, Italy or Morocco)
Odour Profile: Woody, creamy, dry-violet; fatty and waxy; soft fruity undertone; earthy and elegant; complex and long-lasting in formula
Appearance: Cream-coloured solid mass; warm gently to liquefy
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol when warmed; partially soluble in oils
Key Components: Irones (alpha-, beta-, gamma-irone); myristic acid; confirm percentages from batch COA
Regulatory Status: SDS documentation can be supplied upon request where available.

For external use only. Do not ingest
Solid at room temperature; warm gently in a water bath to soften before weighing or blending
Flash point 93.33°C; keep away from heat sources and open flames
Dilute before skin application; patch test recommended for sensitive individuals
Avoid contact with eyes
Not recommended for soap, rinse-off hair care, or aqueous personal care applications
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight; protect from moisture
Shelf life: 5+ years when stored correctly; orris improves with age