Description and usage notes:
This is the key aroma component of orris butter but pure, a mobile liquid and easy to use – it is expensive but a little goes a long way and has an exalting effect on other florals and great substantivity.
Arctander tells us that: “With skilful use and blending with the proper lonone derivatives. it is possible to fully utilize the Irone, but its perfumery application remains restricted by cost and unfortunately, lack of experience in the use of this exquisite material … The odor is soft, warm, Orris-Violet-like, sweet and extremely diffusive. Its true power and effect is clearly demonstrated in dilutions or in active use at concentrations near one percent in a perfume composition. The ‘lift’ and the radiance introduced by this ketone are its greatest assets and advantages to compensate for its high cost.”
Givaudan, the manufacturer, describe it like this: “Odor: Floral, Orris, Woody. Use: Irone Alpha has a rich, floral and natural character and constitutes an important element in orris and violet compositions as well as being useful when an exotic nuance is required. Irone Alpha is extremely diffusive and gives volume and tenacity to compositions.”
Arcadi Boix Camps says, in 1978, Irone Alpha “ has an odor very close to alpha-ionone, although its richness is a thousand times superior.”
Peter (verified owner) –
It does smell really lovely, it has a very slight raspberry note to it.. the best smelling Orris note I have, I prefer this to Alpha Ionone
It is expensive though, and I don’t think I am talented enough to use it properly, I would say only buy it if you know exactly what you’re doing. I am just a hobbiest, and this I think is beyond my knowledge for blending properly.
monicattaneo (verified owner) –
very satisfied with iron alpha! it is hard to find and here I found it and also to receive it to italy was easy!
James Peterson –
Fantastic stuff. The only one out of three that I’ve tried that really smells like orris.