What Is Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs?
Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs is an aromatic extract obtained from the flowers of Rose centifolia, the celebrated Rose de Mai cultivated around Grasse in the south of France. Although the rose itself has been grown since the 1700s, the modern absolute was first crafted in the late 1800s when solvent extraction methods became widespread in perfumery.
The production starts during a brief five-week blooming window each May. Hand-picked petals are rushed to the extractor, where a gentle volatile solvent washes the floral matter, yielding a waxy concrete. A second purification step with food-grade alcohol separates the fragrant molecules from the waxes, giving a pure absolute certified under the Geographic Indication Absolue Pays de Grasse. This two-stage process captures aromatic facets that steam distillation would lose.
The finished material is a mobile to slightly viscous liquid that ranges from golden to deep amber depending on the season. It is entirely of natural origin, made only from rose petals and food-grade processing agents that are later removed. Because the harvest is manual, the season short and the petal-to-oil ratio extreme, supply is limited. For that reason it is considered a premium ingredient used sparingly in blends where authenticity and luxury are paramount.
In contemporary perfumery the absolute sees steady demand, especially in fine fragrance where its complexity cannot be mimicked by isolates alone. Outside of high-end scents it occasionally appears in personal care and home products, but usually at low percentages to balance cost with impact.
What Does Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs Smell Like?
Perfumers place this material in the floral family. Off a blotter it opens with a burst of fresh petal nuance that feels green and dewy, quickly revealing a soft fruity tone reminiscent of red berries. Within minutes a gentle spicy accent surfaces, adding warmth without turning peppery. As the scent settles, a velvety sweetness emerges that many describe as honeyed, wrapping the bouquet in a round, comforting glow. Compared with the better known damask rose, this rose is smoother and slightly sweeter with less lemony brightness.
In the traditional perfume pyramid Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs is a classic heart note. It arrives after volatile top notes have lifted yet remains present well into the dry-down, sometimes lending subtle rosy echoes to the base hours later. Projection is moderate, enough to radiate clearly from the skin without overwhelming surrounding notes. Longevity is impressive for a floral ingredient, often lasting six to eight hours on a blotter before fading into a gentle sweet whisper.
How & Where To Use Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs
Ask any perfumer and they will tell you this absolute is a pleasure to handle. It blends smoothly, opens fast on blotter and behaves well in most bases without turning muddy or metallic. The liquid form is handy too, sparing you the slow melt sometimes needed with heavier floral concretes.
In a composition it shines as the heart of a classic rose accord, supplying the plush petal body that isolates alone cannot fake. It is often paired with damascena absolute for extra lift or with synthetic rose ketones to stretch volume while keeping an authentic core. Whenever a brief calls for a sweeter creamier rose rather than a lemony or sharp one, this material jumps to the front of the line.
Usage levels vary by application. In fine fragrance it typically sits between 0.1 % and 2 % of the concentrate, though luxury extraits can climb toward the 5 % mark. Toiletries and candles usually run far lower, sometimes just trace amounts to give a natural twinkle over cost-effective synthetics. At high concentration the honey note swells and a faint waxy green facet peeks out, so balancing with fresher florals or citrus keeps the accord bright.
The absolute is stable in soap and most detergents yet its golden hue can tint pale bases. If color is critical, a small pretest is wise. Viscosity changes with temperature; a gentle water-bath warm up makes pipetting easier but avoid overheating to preserve delicate top notes.
Best practice is to pre-dilute in ethanol or dipropylene glycol at 10 % before weighing into a formula. This not only aids dosing accuracy but also helps the rose integrate quickly with other raw materials, saving valuable maturation time.
Safely Information
Like all concentrated perfume materials Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs demands a few simple precautions to keep the creative process safe and comfortable.
- Dilution first: Always make a working solution before evaluation so the aroma reaches your nose at a manageable strength.
- No direct sniffing: Wave the strip above the bottle or smell from a blotter never stick your nose into the vial.
- Good ventilation: Blend in a fume hood or a room with active airflow to avoid breathing high vapour levels.
- Protective gear: Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to guard skin and eyes against accidental splashes.
- Health considerations: Concentrated absolutes may trigger irritation or allergies. Consult a physician before use if pregnant or breastfeeding and keep exposure time short to minimise risk.
Always review the latest supplier Material Safety Data Sheet and stay within any IFRA limits that apply. Regulations evolve so make it a habit to download fresh documents for every new batch and update formulas accordingly.
Storage And Disposal
When handled with care Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs keeps its best character for about three to five years from the packing date. A tight seal and stable temperature make the biggest difference, so refrigeration is helpful but not mandatory. A shelf in a cool dark cabinet away from heaters and direct sunlight usually does the job.
Choose amber glass bottles with polycone caps for both the neat absolute and any dilutions. These liners create a snug barrier that dropper tops cannot match, preventing slow evaporation and the air leaks that speed up oxidation. Keep each bottle as full as possible or move leftovers to a smaller vial so the headspace stays minimal.
If you need to warm the product for easier pouring, set the bottle in a lukewarm water bath and remove it as soon as the liquid loosens. Avoid hot plates or microwaves that can scorch the delicate floral notes. Wipe threads clean before closing, then store upright to avoid cap stains.
Label everything clearly with the ingredient name batch number date opened and any hazard icons from the supplier SDS. Good labels save time during formula work and protect others who may share the lab.
For disposal never tip concentrated absolute down the drain. Small residual amounts on blotters or pipettes can go in regular trash once fully dry. Larger liquid remnants should be collected in a sealed container and sent to a local hazardous waste service. Although the material is of natural origin it is not readily biodegradable at the strengths used in perfumery and can stress aquatic life. Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent then add the rinse to your waste drum so nothing aromatic ends up in household water systems.
Summary
Rose Centifolia Ig Grasse Abs is a precious extract of the famed Rose de Mai that brings a soft green honeyed petal signature to fragrances. It smells sweeter and more velvety than damask rose, lasts for hours and meshes with nearly any floral heart accord. Perfumers love it for classic feminine bouquets, modern unisex blends, gourmand twists and even to round out fresh citrus openings.
Because it is natural rare and labour intensive the cost sits on the high side, so most formulas use it sparingly or stretch it with clever synthetics. It holds up well in soap and detergents though its golden tint can colour pale bases, and it prefers cool storage to preserve top notes. Handle it right and this absolute becomes a fun versatile tool that lifts simple rose themes into luxurious territory and adds depth to many other accords.