In short
Rose absolute from Rosa damascena, mostly from Bulgaria, is solvent-extracted rather than distilled. It is deep and mellow, unlike the centifolia absolute.
What Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) smells like
Eden Botanicals describes its Bulgarian rose absolute (Rosa damascena) as sweet, deep, mellow and antique, with a faint indole, spice and honeyed undertone and a fresh green note in the dry-down. Hermitage Oils finds it enigmatic at first, with a mild, spicy start before the rose emerges. Rose otto is steam-distilled and the absolute solvent-extracted; one article describes them as two different materials rather than two grades.
- Leading note
- Rose
- Supporting facets
- Honey, spicy
- Faint facets
- Green, indolic
- Character
- Deep, mellow
What makes Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) distinctive
The damask rose as an absolute: deeper and spicier than the otto, darker than centifolia.
How Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) is used
Used for a rich, natural damask rose in floral and oriental compositions.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) differs from similar materials
- Rose Oil (Rosa damascena)
- Rose otto is the steam distillate of the same damask rose; the absolute is solvent-extracted and described as deeper and mellower, with spice and honey.
- Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia)
- The centifolia absolute is the rosy, honeyed rose de mai; the damascena absolute is described as deeper and spicier.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
No CAS number specific to the damascena absolute could be confirmed, so none is given. Rose otto (rose oil) is the distillate of the same flower; rose absolute in this encyclopedia is Rosa centifolia.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Absolute
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Floral / Spicy
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Viscous liquid
- Also known as
- Bulgarian rose absolute, Rose absolute, Bulgaria
- Botanical source
- Rosa × damascena Herrm.
No CAS number is shown: suppliers use different identifiers for this material, and none could be confirmed as its own.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Rose Oil (Rosa damascena)
Essential oil · Floral / Fruity — rose, honeyed, spicy, fresh
-
Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia)
Absolute · Floral / Fruity — rose, honeyed, jammy, waxy
-
Phenylethyl Alcohol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rose, honeyed, soft, floral
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 10 published formulas
Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) is an ingredient in 6 perfume formulas, 3 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena)
Is Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) natural or synthetic?
Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) is natural. It is a concentrated extract obtained from plant material with a solvent, then washed with ethanol to remove the waxes.
Which published formulas use Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena)?
Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) is used in 10 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including 1882 Naturals, Cherry Blossom Accord and Fougere Base. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- Eden Botanicals — Rose Absolute, Bulgaria — distributor's description.
- Hermitage Oils — Rose article — distributor's description.
- Premiere Peau — Rose otto vs rose absolute — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.