Clary Sage

What does clary sage smell like in perfume? Clary sage smells herbal, ambery and softly musky, with a tea-like, slightly fruity warmth. It is one of the most versatile notes in perfumery, appearing in ten of our fragrances.

Botanical nameSalvia sclarea
Plant partFlowering tops
OriginFrance, Russia and Bulgaria
ExtractionSteam distillation
NoteBase
Scent familyHerbs & Green
OdourHerbal, ambery and musky, with a soft, tea-like and slightly fruity character
Perfume usesFougères, chypres, ambers and colognes
Key moleculesLinalyl acetate, linalool, sclareol
Odour impact Medium
Odour life on a strip Long: a day or more
Found inA Capella Ray, Berry Blitz, Jacinth Jonquil, Lantern Reed, Mocha Muscari, Neroli Nuance, Ocean Commotion, Oud Octavo, Rose Rondeaux, Pizzicato Bliss

Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.

What Is Clary Sage?

Clary sage, Salvia sclarea, is a tall herb with lilac flowers, grown in France and Eastern Europe. Its name comes from the Latin for ‘clear’. It is also the natural source of sclareol, a molecule used to create ambery notes.

What Does Clary Sage Smell Like?

Here is how strongly each facet of clary sage comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.

Herbal

Soft, aromatic herb.

Ambery

A warm, golden depth.

Musky

A skin-like softness.

Fruity

A gentle, tea-like fruitiness.

How Perfumers Use Clary Sage

Perfumers use clary sage as a bridge: it softens citrus, deepens florals and adds an ambery, musky warmth to bases. It works in almost every fragrance family.

A link to amber

Clary sage contains sclareol, the natural starting point for ambergris-like materials. That is why it brings a warm, ambery character to a fragrance.

Smell Clary Sage in Prosody London Perfumes

For clary sage at its most expressive, try Lantern Reed. Clary sage sits in the heart with rose and orris, adding a soft, ambery warmth. You will also find clary sage in A Capella Ray, Berry Blitz, Jacinth Jonquil, Mocha Muscari, Neroli Nuance, Ocean Commotion, Oud Octavo, Rose Rondeaux and Pizzicato Bliss.

Lantern Reed Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonLantern ReedNatural Eau de ParfumA Capella Ray Natural Cologne by Prosody LondonA Capella RayNatural CologneBerry Blitz Natural Cologne by Prosody LondonBerry BlitzNatural CologneJacinth Jonquil Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonJacinth JonquilNatural Eau de ParfumMocha Muscari Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonMocha MuscariNatural Eau de ParfumNeroli Nuance Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonNeroli NuanceNatural Eau de ParfumOcean Commotion Natural Cologne by Prosody LondonOcean CommotionNatural CologneOud Octavo Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonOud OctavoNatural Eau de ParfumRose Rondeaux Natural Eau de Parfum by Prosody LondonRose RondeauxNatural Eau de ParfumPizzicato Bliss Natural Cologne by Prosody LondonPizzicato BlissNatural Cologne

What Blends Well With Clary Sage?

LavenderBergamotRoseLabdanumOakmossVetiver

Questions About Clary Sage

Is clary sage the same as sage?

No. Clary sage is softer, sweeter and more ambery than common sage.

Why is clary sage used so often?

It is versatile, blending with citrus, florals and woods alike.

What pairs with clary sage?

Lavender, bergamot, rose, labdanum and oakmoss.

Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.