Opoponax

Funny how Opoponax has been for me over the years. I inevitably always forget about it. Like it doesn’t exist. Even though I’v carried many bottles in the cabinet over the years, I always seem to forget it’s there. My eye passing it by. Then suddenly, when creating certain aromatic blends that need a little “something” I’m obscure about, the mysterious Opoponax jumps out and illuminates itself. Then disappears again.

Also known as “Sweet Myrrh”, Opoponax shares many of the same properties as Myrrh. Though from the same genus, it is not Myrrh. The aroma is lighter and sweeter than Myrrh but unlike Myrrh, it is known to be slightly photo toxic due I’m guessing to its inherent small coumarin content which is not present in Myrrh. The aroma profile is quite similar at first to our beloved Myrrh but not.  It is sweet, balsamic, warm, resinous, a little terpene medicinal, leathery-wood, spicy, ripe-fruity and ambery. And as you would guess, a great fixative in perfumery.

Opoponax has been used for centuries in incense making & perfumery and has been widely used in ritual and magical blends of all sorts. Aleister Crowley described the scent of Opoponax as “ an overpowering richness of the deliciously abominable”. In magic, it is associated with the Death card in Tarot and the Nun path (Scorpio) in the Qabalah. King Solomon regarded Opoponax as one of the “noblest” of all incense gums. Opoponax has been used in various cultures throughout history for protection, to guard against negative energy, to heighten the senses, and strengthen intuition.

With all that being said, I have 2 different batches of Opoponax to offer here. One has been well aged for over 10 yrs. and is very limited. It is heavy, dark, rich and molasses like with deep, gummy, terpene & sweet liqueur-ish, caramel like notes. Quite a head rush it is at first waft! The other is lighter, earthy, more mushroomy, warm & resinous. Closer to a light Myrrh than the dark one and much easier to use. Please make note when ordering. I personally prefer the aged one but it’s really a matter of preference. They’re both delightful to use (when I see them) and perfect in any type of chypre or dark oriental style perfume or formulated in a special magical blend. Enjoy!