Making Perfume with Explorer (compare to Montblanc) Fragrance Oil

Here are the answers to your questions about using the Explorer (compare to Montblanc) fragrance oil to create body perfume:

1. Blending with Alcohol and Performance: Yes, you can blend the fragrance oil directly with perfumer's alcohol to make a body perfume. The fragrance oil itself contains the scent compounds. To enhance performance (longevity and projection), you can consider adding a small amount of a fixative or a performance booster commonly used in perfumery. However, the fragrance oil is designed to be the primary scent component when mixed with alcohol.

2. Aging (Maceration): Yes, aging or maceration is a crucial step after blending the fragrance oil and alcohol. This process allows the fragrance compounds to fully integrate with the alcohol and the water content (if any) in the blend. It helps the scent mature, become smoother, and reduces the harsh alcoholic smell. A typical aging period can range from 2 weeks to several months in a cool, dark place. Many perfumers recommend at least 4-6 weeks for best results.

3. Adding Other Notes: Absolutely! You can add other fragrance notes or aroma chemicals like ISO E Super to customize the scent and potentially improve performance. Adding woody notes can indeed make the scent richer. ISO E Super is known for its ability to enhance other notes and add a woody, cedar-like facet while also acting as a fixative to improve longevity and projection. When adding other components, start with very small amounts and test the blend, as adding too much can alter the intended character of the main fragrance oil significantly.

By blending the oil with alcohol, allowing it to age properly, and potentially fine-tuning with other notes, you can create a body perfume with performance close to the original.