gamma-Octalactone

Description and usage notes:

Slightly softer and sweeter than “Aldehyde C18” (gamma-Nonalactone) this gives a nice alternative coconut note that is more like fresh coconut and also good for adding creaminess to a composition.

According to Arctander: “This lactone is used in perfumery in heavy floral fragrances such as Gardenia, Tuberose, Hyacinth, and even in Lily. It serves as an interesting modifier or substitute for Coumarin in herbaceous fragrance types, Fougeres, Lavenders, etc. In spite of its comparatively low boiling point, it has an excellent tenacity.”

Jean Claude Elena, in his book Diary of a Nose, suggests that in combination with Stemone this material can produce an effective illusion of the smell of figs.  He says “Stemone gives an impression of mint leaves or fig leaves, it all depends on what I want to make it say.  For the smell of ripe figs I recommend adding ethyl maltol, but for dried figs the answer lies in concrete of iris.”

We suggest you might want to save some money and substitute Orris Givco for the expensive concrete of iris however.  Also keep in mind that while this combination does give a terrific illusion of figs, gamma-Octolactone, Ethyl maltol and even orris are much longer lasting than Stemone, so the illusion tends to break into sweet coconut over time.