Escentric Molecules 04 celebrates the futuristic freshness of Javanol, a sheer sandalwood molecule, in two different fragrances.

Escentric 04 focuses on Javanol in a formula that highlights the grapefruit accent in the molecule.

The result is a uniquely fresh interpretation of a sandalwood fragrance, fizzing with crisp, bitter topnotes of pink grapefruit peel with added zest of lime. Juniper and pink pepper give an extra shot of freshness, and marijuana brings out the softer quality of the grapefruit pith.

The heart is orris with a ‘fresh soft rose’ composed from four different rose ingredients. The drydown is balsamic and woody with Javanol in combination with the somewhat sweeter sandalwood molecule, Polysantol.

“In the other Escentric fragrances I used a huge amount of the Molecule,” says Geza Schoen. “But Javanol is like truffles. A few slices of truffle shaved on top of your pasta are enough to transport you to heaven.”

Consequently Javanol and Polysantol together make up 15% of Escentric 04.

Javanol is a sandalwood-type molecule that retains the radiance and endurance of natural sandalwood, but is sheer and transparent like no sandalwood in nature.

“What I love about Javanol is its almost psychedelic freshness,” says Geza Schoen. “It smells as if liquid metallic grapefruit peel were poured over a bed of velvety cream-coloured roses.”

Javanol is like Iso E Super, the molecule in Escentric Molecules 01, in some ways. Like Iso E Super, it comes and goes. The person wearing it loses the ability to smell it after a short while, only to re-connect with it later.

Javanol does not exist in nature. It was created in a laboratory at Givaudan in 1996.