Poplar Bud Absolute 30% TEC – Populus Nigra | Perfumery Grade

Description

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Poplar Bud Absolute — The Sticky Spring Resin of Old European Riverbanks

This exquisite balsamic absolute is obtained from the unopened buds of the black poplar tree (Populus nigra), harvested each spring across the moist lowlands of Eastern Europe just as the buds coat themselves in a sticky, resin-rich secretion — nature’s own defence against insect damage, and the raw material for one of natural perfumery’s most historically significant yet genuinely underused absolutes. Molecularly distilled for exceptional clarity, this material integrates seamlessly into complex compositions without cloudiness or sediment — a rare quality in a base note absolute of this depth.

This is a historically significant material in fine perfumery, notably employed by the legendary Edmond Roudnitska as a key component in balsamic and oriental compositions. As the pure absolute is solid at room temperature, we supply it at 30% in natural triethyl citrate (TEC) — an odourless, citrus-derived isolate that restores full pourability without compromising the character of the material.

Scent Profile

An opulent aromatic profile that interweaves honeyed sweetness with warm apricot-like fruitiness and a deep resinous leather undertone. As it develops, the honeyed sweetness deepens into something more complex and subtly animalic, with facets of stone fruit and dried fruit emerging alongside the resinous base. Renowned for its outstanding tenacity — often persisting well beyond 24 hours on a scent strip — this is a material that anchors and enriches a composition over many, many hours, revealing new facets throughout its long development.

Perfumery Applications

Poplar bud absolute serves as a magnificent fixative that lends warmth, body, and remarkable longevity to blends. It functions beautifully as a natural alternative to styrax, with the considerable advantage of carrying no IFRA restriction, allowing generous and confident use across a wide range of formulations. Its complex character — simultaneously sweet, fruity, resinous, and subtly animalic — makes it an invaluable tool for building depth in amber accords, fruit-forward compositions, and chypre structures, where its exceptional tenacity provides the structural backbone around which lighter materials can be built.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs exceptionally well with labdanum, benzoin, styrax, vanilla, tonka bean, and oakmoss. Also complements stone fruit notes such as plum and apricot, dried fruit accords, and leather facets. An outstanding addition to oriental, amber, fougère, and chypre compositions seeking natural warmth and persistence.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Populus nigra L.
• Common Name: Black Poplar / Poplar Bud
• Botanical Family: Salicaceae
• CAS Number: 921202-04-2
• Synonyms: Peuplier Absolue
• Origin: Eastern Europe
• Manufactured: France
• Plant Part: Buds — harvested each spring
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute), molecularly distilled for clarity
• Dilution: 30% in natural triethyl citrate (TEC), an odourless citrus-derived isolate
• Classification: Heart to base note — outstanding fixative
• Appearance: Clear, richly coloured liquid
• Odour Family: Balsamic / Honeyed / Fruity / Leathery / Animalic
• IFRA 51: No restriction for Category 4
• Longevity: Often persists well beyond 24 hours on a smelling strip
• Natural: Yes — 100% natural absolute in natural TEC carrier
• Documentation Note: This product is prepared in-house by diluting the absolute at 30% with natural TEC. The original supplier’s COA and SDS for the pure absolute, along with the carrier’s own COA/SDS, are available on request.

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml, 10ml and 30ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.