Cedar/Cedarwood (Cuba)

Cedarwood (Cuba) is a rich and aromatic woody note prized for its warm, full-bodied character and subtle spicy-balsamic undertones. Distilled from Cedrela odorata, a species native to the Caribbean and Central America, Cuban Cedarwood—sometimes called Spanish Cedar—is not a true cedar (genus Cedrus), but a tropical hardwood related to mahogany. In perfumery, it offers a velvety, reddish woodiness, blending tones of sweet resin, soft pencil shavings, dry tobacco leaf, and a whisper of ambery spice. Smoother and slightly sweeter than Virginia cedarwood, Cuban Cedar adds elegance, warmth, and structure, often grounding both woody and oriental compositions with a sun-drenched tropical soul.

History & Composition: Long valued in fine cabinetry, cigar humidors, and shipbuilding, Cuban cedar has a heritage tied to refinement and preservation—its wood naturally repels insects and resists decay. The essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the heartwood, yielding a fragrant oil with an amber-gold hue and complex, aromatic richness. In perfumery, it is especially prized for blending seamlessly with tobacco, vanilla, rum, spices, and florals, enhancing a fragrance with depth, softness, and a trace of tropical warmth. Cuban Cedarwood evokes the scent of old libraries, hand-rolled cigars, and burnished mahogany, offering a sense of craftsmanship and quiet luxury.