Irish Seaweed Absolute

Adam Michael has this to say “Irish seaweed is THE perfect seaweed aromatic. Its price is high for a seaweed material, however, if you smell any other seaweed in straight comparison, it is odds on this Irish seaweed will win your heart forever.

The aroma profile is oceanic breezy, iodine-salty, think of a day at the seaside when the water is choppy and the waves keep crashing on the seashore, a fine salty mist fills your lungs, big clumps of seaweed slapped right at your feet, all shiny and deep-green in colour, marine-scented, probably also very tasty if made into a salad (and this makes this material also somewhat gourmand, at least in my opinion). I enjoy our regular seaweed absolute, but when I do a straight comparison with this Irish seaweed, then its game over for our regular seaweed as its much sweeter, not as diffusive and overall duller, and this not as aromatically interesting. Sitting down inhaling its aroma I find Irish seaweed very compelling – even more impressive if you think that it’s just seaweed after all, not some acclaimed wild oud.

Not hard to imagine given its seashore scent profile, this aromatic is not frequently found among natural perfumery ingredients. Nevertheless, Irish seaweed makes a perfect companion for ambergris (especially the grey quality) but also oakmoss and any other mossy material. Works well with mushroom absolute, with musks, in “fresh air” and green themed compositions, alongside castoreum-derived aromatics, with patchouli (where it amplifies the somewhat “damp” character imparted by patchoulol), and green notes like pine absolute or galbanum, plus this also pairs well with our French lavender absolute.

In all instances, seaweed is a very powerful material (and more so this one) and to be used in very small amounts, thus more cost-effective than what it could initially seem, and still the best seaweed aromatic I have ever encountered since I started at Hermitage Oils over 17 years ago now (21/11/21).

Please note: to be stored away from pets with particular care, since many seem find its aroma irresistibly attractive, and could try eating this.”

Botanical name: Palmaria palmata

Origin: Ireland

Alcohol Soluble: Yes (but benefits from filtration)

Oil Soluble: Yes