Think of this as a ‘chameleon’ note: even more than most notes, davana is said to smell differently on each of us – which is why it’s prized by some perfumers. The davana herb (a member of the silver-leafed Artemisia family) is native to India, and once it’s steam-distilled has a sweet, tea-like smell, reminiscent of dried fruit. Mostly, it’s used in eastern and ambrée perfumes, chypres and fougères – but pops up in one very famous fragrance (see below).
Smell davana in:
Estée Lauder Knowing