Rich, warm, spicy-resinous with a floral-citrus edge. Darker and more complex than pale rosewood. The dalbergione compounds give it a distinctly spicy, almost peppery character. Like sanding a piece of fine cocobolo — warm, resinous dust with orange-red warmth and a spicy bite that catches in the throat.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Rich spicy-warm wood, orange-red, resinous
After a few hours
After a few hours
Deeper, less spicy, warm balsamic wood
After a few days
After a few days
Persistent warm woody residue, faintly spiced
Terroir & Maturity
Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.
The Full Story
Cocobolo (Dalbergi a retus a) is a Central Ameri can rosewood known for extraordinary beauty — the heartwood ranges from orange to deep red-purple with dark veining. The wood has a particular, rich aromatic character: warm, spicy-resinous, with floral and slightly citrus-like qualities.
The scent comes from neoflavonoids (dalbergiones) and sesquiterpenes unique to Dalbergia species. These compounds also make cocobolo a allergenic woods — woodworkers frequently develop contact dermatitis from the dust. CAS-listed allergens include (R)-4-methoxydalbergione.
Dalbergia retusa is native to Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras. Like most Dalbergia species, it is CITES Appendix II listed due to extreme overharvesting for the luxury timber trade.
In perfumery, cocobolo provides a rich, complex rosewood-type note — warmer and more spiced than Brazilian rosewood (Anib a rosaeodor a), with a particular orange-red quality.
Cocobolo dust is so allergenic that some woodworkers develop severe contact dermatitis after a single exposure — the dalbergione compounds can sensitize the immune system permanently, making any future contact with the wood dangerous.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: Steam distillation of Dalbergia retusa heartwood is possible but rare due to CITES restrictions and the wood's high commercial value as timber. The allergenicity of dalbergiones further limits handling. Most cocobolo notes in perfumery are reconstructed.
CITES Appendix II (Dalbergia retusa). Trade restrictions apply.
Synonyms
Cocobolo Rosewood, Brazilian Rosewood
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Lasting Power
> 200 hours
Appearance
Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
In Perfumery
Cocobolo provides a rich, spicy rosewood-type base note. Dalbergione chemistry distinguishes it from Aniba rosaeodora (linalool-dominant Brazilian rosewood). Functions in rich woody, spiced, and luxury-wood compositions. Not common due to CITES restrictions and allergenicity of dalbergiones. Reconstructed from spicy-warm wood materials, rosewood-type synthetics, and phenolic spice notes.
