Is Gin natural or synthetic?

A fantasy or concept note, not a single material.

Gin

AccordBEVERAGEScitrus · fresh · green

TopPyramid

4/5Strength

8hTenacity

·Origins

Editorial noteWe own no rights to this material, its name or its trademark. This entry is independent editorial journalism, published under freedom of expression.

Specimen

N/A (spirit accord; primary botanical: Juniperus communis — juniper)

Fantasy/Concept

Definition

Juniper, dry, botanical, with a cold mineral bite. Gin smells like a London still-room -- pine-sharp berries, coriander seed, and the clean transparency of rectified spirit.

CITRUS GREEN EARTHY HERBAL WARM FRESH

London dry gin, Old Tom gin, Plymouth gin

Type: Accord
Olfactive family: Aromatic
Subfamily: Herbal aromatics
Cluster: Boozy-botanical accords
Source: Conceptual accord (juniper-botanical spirit reconstruction)

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

4/5Strength

High

odour strength

Tenacity on blotter

8hours

1 h6 h24 h3 d7 d400 h

Producing countries

N/A (spirit accord; gin produced globally — UK, Netherlands, USA)

Scent

Juniper-pine sharpness, dry and transparent, with a complex botanical halo: coriander seed (slightly lemony), angelica root (earthy-celery), and citrus peel brightness. Drier and more complex than vodka (which is near-scentless), less sweet than whiskey, less fruity than rum. The impression is of cold, clear, botanical precision.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

The Full Story

Gin in perfumery is a botanical-aromatic accord built around juniper (Juniperus communis) -- the only botanical required by law in gin production. The juniper character comes from alpha-pinene (piney), myrcene (herbal), and sabinene (warm-woody). Supporting botanicals in classic London Dry gin include coriander seed (linalool), angelica root (earthy-musky), orris root (powdery), citrus peel, and cassia bark.

The perfumery accord captures the clean, aromatic-botanical complexity of gin without the ethanol burn. The 'dryness' of London Dry gin translates to a transparent, non-sweet quality -- the botanical impression should feel skeletal rather than fleshy. Construction uses juniper berry oil, coriander oil, angelica root absolute, and a touch of iris/orris for powdery depth.

Functionally, gin works as an aromatic top-to-heart note providing botanical complexity and a specific cocktail-culture reference. The juniper-pine backbone gives it structure; the secondary botanicals give it breadth. The note works in aromatic, cocktail-themed, citrus-herbal, and modern-unisex compositions.

History

Gin traces its origins to the 17th-century Dutch spirit genever, itself derived from the medieval practice of infusing grain spirits with juniper for medicinal purposes. When William of Orange took the English throne in 1689, Dutch genever followed, sparking the infamous London "Gin Craze" of the early 18th century.

The London Dry style, codified in the 19th century, established juniper as the defining botanical, supported by coriander, angelica root, citrus peel, and orris root. This clean, botanical profile has directly influenced how perfumers construct gin accords.

In contemporary perfumery, the gin note emerged alongside the broader "cocktail" trend of the 2010s. Brands like Imaginary Authors (A Whiff of Wafflecone) and Commodity began featuring boozy-botanical accords. Perfumers reconstruct the gin impression using juniper berry oil, citrus notes, and aromatic herbs, creating a crisp, structured freshness associated with modern elegance.

Did You Know?

London Dry gin must be flavoured solely through re-distillation of neutral spirit with natural botanicals -- nothing can be added after distillation except water and a tiny amount of sugar (max 0.1 g/L). This prohibition on post-distillation flavouring is what makes London Dry 'dry.'

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

No extraction from gin itself. The accord is reconstructed from juniper berry oil (steam distilled), coriander oil, angelica root absolute, and citrus oils.

Formula: Complex mixture; key components: alpha-pinene (C₁₀H₁₆), myrcene (C₁₀H₁₆)
CAS: Key component: alpha-pinene (CAS 80-56-8)
Botanical: N/A (spirit accord; primary botanical: Juniperus communis — juniper)
Appearance: N/A (olfactory accord — not a single material)
Odour strength: High
Lasting power: Moderate — 4-8 hours depending on formulation
Synonyms: London dry gin, Old Tom gin, Plymouth gin

IFRA status

See note

Not subject to an IFRA Standard (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Note: Distilled spirit flavored primarily with juniper berries; used as olfactory accord

In Perfumery

Gin is a botanical-aromatic top-to-heart accord built around juniper berry oil (alpha-pinene, myrcene, sabinene). Supporting botanicals: coriander (linalool), angelica root (earthy), orris (powdery), citrus peel. The accord provides cocktail-culture reference and botanical complexity. Works in aromatic, citrus-herbal, and modern-unisex compositions.

Role in the formula

01modifier

02signature note

03lifting agent

04blender

05volume builder

06freshness

Available as

synthetic accord fantasy note

Gin