What Is Azarbre?
Azarbre is an aroma molecule created by Givaudan for use in fine fragrance, home scenting and personal care products. While Givaudan owns the trademarked name, competing suppliers sometimes offer the same chemical under less memorable catalog codes or generic labels.
The material is produced through straightforward organic synthesis that links together a twelve-carbon backbone with an oxygen atom. Because the route is not especially demanding, supply is steady and the ingredient sits in the mid-price bracket: pricier than bulk musks yet nowhere near the cost of rare naturals.
At room temperature Azarbre is a clear, water-like liquid that pours easily and dissolves with most common perfumery solvents. It is typically shipped in aluminum or HDPE containers lined to prevent light exposure.
Perfumers reach for it when a formula needs a smooth honey accent that bridges floral and woody facets. Its versatility keeps it in regular rotation at creative labs, though overall usage volume is moderate compared with blockbuster materials such as Iso E Super or Hedione.
With proper storage—cool dark place, tightly closed cap and minimal headspace—the material keeps its odour profile for roughly two to three years before showing gradual flattening. As always, periodic organoleptic checks are the safest way to judge freshness.
Azarbre’s Scent Description
Azarbre sits squarely in the gourmand family, the same territory that houses notes recalling edible treats and comforting sweetness.
On a fresh blotter the first impression is a luminous honey drizzle: golden, slightly waxy and undeniably mouth-watering. Within seconds a whisper of dried meadow flowers appears, giving a vaguely herbal softness rather than bright petal sparkle. As it settles, a gentle orris nuance surfaces, adding a powdery lipstick vibe that feels plush and nostalgic. Deeper still, a pale wood tone—think freshly planed balsa rather than dark cedar—grounds the sweetness and prevents stickiness.
In classic perfumery language we group smells into top, heart and base notes according to how quickly they evaporate. Azarbre straddles the heart-to-base zone. It rises soon enough to be noticed after the citrus top fades, yet clings long enough to stitch the middle and drydown together.
Projection is moderate: present enough to give a composition lift without stealing the spotlight. On a standard paper strip the note remains appreciable for about a full day before tapering off, making it reliable for everyday fragrances that do not aim for marathon longevity.
How & Where To Use Azarbre
Perfumers reach for Azarbre when a composition needs an authentic honey tone that will merge seamlessly with floral or woody facets. At low doses of 0.1-0.3 percent it works in the background, rounding sharp petals in orange blossom, mimosa or ylang blends while adding a gentle sweetness that feels natural rather than sugary. In violet or orris accords it acts as a discreet bridge, amplifying the powdery ionone family without being noticed on its own.
Move up to the 1-3 percent range and Azarbre becomes a starring co-note in gourmand designs. Coupled with sandalwood or cashmeran it can mimic the smell of honey-soaked wood, perfect for boozy tobacco styles or modern amber perfumes. At these levels it also smooths rough spice edges, giving clove or cinnamon accords a mellow drizzle effect.
The manufacturer allows use up to 10 percent and such high inclusion is sometimes chosen for niche extraits that celebrate honey outright. Above 5 percent the material’s floral side recedes while its waxy woody undertone grows stronger, so the perfumer must balance it with bright fruits or luminous musks to avoid a flat, sticky impression. Overdose risks include a dull, cloying heart that masks delicate top notes and shortens overall diffusion.
Application tests show it shines in alcohol perfumes and fabric conditioners yet underperforms in high-water systems such as shampoos where its substantivity is low. It tolerates alkaline pH, making it stable in soap bars, but prolonged high heat can strip some nuances so add it late in hot-pour processes.
Prep work is minimal: the material arrives as a clear liquid that blends easily into ethanol or dipropylene glycol. Viscosity is close to water so standard pipettes or syringes suffice. As with all honey-like synthetics pre-dilution to 10 percent in alcohol is recommended for easier weighing and faster olfactory evaluation.
Safety Using Azarbre
Safe handling starts with dilution. Always prepare a 10 percent or weaker solution before smelling so vapors remain at a comfortable level. Avoid hovering over the neat bottle because concentrated fumes can irritate the nose and eyes. Work in a well-ventilated area, ideally under a fume hood or beside an open window to keep airborne levels low. Protective gloves and safety glasses provide a simple barrier against accidental splashes.
While Azarbre is not classified as highly toxic, undiluted contact may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and repeated exposure can potentially lead to sensitization. Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before prolonged work with aromatic chemicals. Brief exposure to diluted samples is generally considered safe yet extended handling at high concentration may impact respiratory comfort so monitor air quality and take breaks.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dry cabinet away from light to preserve odour quality and reduce vapor build-up. If a spill occurs absorb it with inert material then dispose of the waste according to local regulations as the substance is rated harmful to aquatic life. Never pour leftovers down the drain; instead hand them to a licensed chemical disposal service.
Always consult the latest material safety data sheet supplied by your vendor because classification and recommended limits can change as new research emerges. Follow the current IFRA guideline for maximum dosage in your product type and review it regularly to ensure ongoing compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Azarbre
Azarbre keeps its best character when light and heat are kept at bay. A standard perfume cabinet that stays cool and dark works for most users, but a spot in the refrigerator can stretch shelf life even further. If you chill the bottle be sure it is tightly closed to prevent moisture from sneaking in once it warms to room temperature.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These caps form a snug seal that limits air seepage much better than glass droppers or corks. Each time you decant aim to transfer the rest of the liquid into the smallest practical bottle so the headspace stays minimal. Less air means less oxidation and a fresher honey note over time.
Label every container clearly with the name Azarbre, the CAS number 68845-36-3 and basic hazard symbols. A clear date of opening also helps you track age. Store the bottles upright on a stable shelf away from acids, strong bases or open flames. Keep a spill tray underneath if you stock more than a few hundred grams.
Disposal deserves care because Azarbre is not readily biodegradable and can harm aquatic life. Small laboratory samples can be soaked into an absorbent pad then placed in a sealed bag for chemical waste pickup. Larger volumes should go to a licensed hazardous waste contractor who can incinerate or treat the liquid according to local rules. Never pour leftovers down sinks or street drains.
Summary
Azarbre is Givaudan’s honey toned aroma chemical that links floral and woody notes with a warm gourmand touch. It smells like smooth honey tinged with dried flowers then fades into gentle wood and powdery orris.
Perfumers value it for adding natural-feeling sweetness in violet, orange blossom or sandalwood accords. Use levels range from a subtle 0.1 percent for rounding petals to a bold 10 percent for niche honey statements. It runs mid range on the price scale and shows one-day tenacity on a blotter so the material excels in heart notes rather than long base effects.
Stability is good in most alcohol products and even alkaline soap yet limited in very watery systems. Oxidation can dull its sparkle so tight seals, cool storage and quick bottle turnover pay off.
Commercial quantities come straight from Givaudan through approved distributors. Hobbyists can find smaller bottles through specialty fragrance supply shops or generic makers who list it under the CAS number. Whether you need a few grams for tests or kilos for production Azarbre remains an accessible route to a convincing honey chord in modern perfumery.