Labdanum Scent [ 02 ]

Labdanum is the sticky resin at the heart of amber, warm, balsamic and faintly leathery, with an amber-honey richness. When you smell something described as "amber" in a fragrance, you are almost always smelling labdanum, sweetened with vanilla and rounded with balsams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will my Sample Sale order take to arrive?
A: Due to the high volume of orders during the Sample Sale, please allow up to 14 working days for your order to be dispatched. Once your order has shipped, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details.

Please note that customer service responses may take up to 72 hours during this period.

Q: Can I adjust my order or order details?
A: No. Due to the high volume of orders during the Sample Sale, we are unable to make any changes or amendments to orders once they have been placed. Please ensure all order details are correct before completing your purchase.

Q: How do I track my order?
A: Once your order has been dispatched (please allow up to 14 working days for processing), you will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number.

Please allow up to 48 hours for tracking updates to appear, as it can take some time for our couriers to update parcel movement in their systems.

If you have not received your tracking information 14 working days after placing your order, please contact us at info@abelfragrance.com

Once shipped, you will receive full tracking details.


Q: Do you offer returns on Sample Sale orders?
A: No. All Sample Sale orders are final.

We do not offer cancellations, exchanges, returns or refunds on Sample Sale purchases. Please choose carefully before placing your order.


Q: Can I use a discount code on my Sample Sale order?
A: No. Discount codes cannot be applied to Sample Sale items.


Q: Can I combine my orders?
A: No. Due to the high volume of orders during the Sample Sale, orders cannot be combined. If multiple orders are placed, each order will be processed and dispatched separately.


Q: Can I earn or redeem loyalty points on Sample Sale purchases?
A: No. Loyalty points cannot be earned or redeemed on Sample Sale products.

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Full FAQs here.

Orders & Shipping

Q: How long will my Sample Sale order take to arrive?
A: Due to the high volume of Sample Sale orders, please allow up to 14 working days for your order to be dispatched. Once your order has shipped, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details. Please note that customer service responses may take up to 72 hours during this period.


Q: Do you ship to my country?
A: Sample Sale orders are only available in select countries due to shipping restrictions. We currently ship to the following countries:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
New Zealand
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States

Unfortunately, we cannot ship Sample Sale orders outside of these countries.


Q: What are your shipping costs?
A: Shipping rates vary by country. Free shipping is available once the minimum order value is reached.

Australia — $15 AUD (free over $250 AUD)
Austria — €15 (free over €150)
Belgium — €15 (free over €150)
Canada — $10 CAD (free over $200 CAD)
Denmark — 120 kr (free over 1,400 kr)
France — €6.50 (free over €150)
Germany — €5 (free over €150)
Ireland — €20 (free over €200)
Italy — €20 (free over €200)
Lithuania — €30 (free over €300)
Luxembourg — €15 (free over €150)
Netherlands — €5 (free over €150)
New Zealand — $5 NZD (free over $250 NZD)
Poland — zł 85 (free over zł 650)
Romania — €30 (free over €200)
Slovakia — €30 (free over €200)
Spain — €30 (free over €300)
Sweden — €20 (free over €200)
United Kingdom — £5 (free over £150)
United States — $6 USD (free over $150 USD)

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Full FAQs here.

What is the Sample Sale?

Q: What is the Sample Sale?
A: The Abel Sample Sale is a one-off annual event where archive and distressed stock is sold at a 50% discount. These products may have packaging imperfections, but the fragrance inside remains correct.

This year’s event will be the FINAL Sample Sale. The sale is available for 24 hours only, while stocks last.


Q: When is the Sample Sale?
A: The Sample Sale runs for 24 hours only.

Date: 17 March 2026

Launch times by region:
Amsterdam — 8AM CET
Paris — 8AM CET
London — 7AM GMT
Sydney — 6PM AEDT
Melbourne — 6PM AEDT
Auckland — 8PM NZT
Los Angeles — 6AM PDT
New York — 9AM EDT



Q: What is Sample Sale stock?
A: Sample Sale stock can be identified online by the “Sample Sale” label on the product listing. If a product does not have this label, it is not Sample Sale stock.

Sample Sale products are offered at a discount due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Damaged outer box
- Tester packaging (perfume packaged in a plain tester box)
- Old retail stickers or barcodes on the box or cellophane
- Wrong name printed on the perfume bottle (the fragrance listed online reflects the perfume inside the bottle)
- Damaged print on the bottle
- Scratches on the cap
- No cellophane
- Marks on the outer box
- No notecard inside the box
- Mismatched boxes and perfume
- Sediment or discolouration of the perfume — this does not affect the fragrance and is a natural reaction between some ingredients

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Full FAQs here.

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Cobalt Amber
Cobalt Amber
NOTES
TOP
Pink pepper, juniper berry
HEART
Cacao, peru balsam, sandalwood
Base
Tonka, amber, leather
MOOD

Silky smooth, golden amber. Creamy vanilla dripping with crushed juniper and pink peppercorn. A modern-day muse.

Cobalt Amber
EAU DE PARFUM
Cobalt amber
A sweet sultry amber
$220 USD
6mL 6mL
50mL 50mL
TOP
Pink pepper, juniper berry
HEART
Cacao, peru balsam, sandalwood
Base
Tonka, amber, leather
MOOD

Silky smooth, golden amber. Creamy vanilla dripping with crushed juniper and pink peppercorn. A modern-day muse.

More info
Miami Split
  • NEW
Miami Split
NOTES
TOP
Green banana, burnt caramel
HEART
White oud (boya agarwood)
Base
Trio of labdanum
MOOD

Warhol-esque banana meets rebellious labdanum white-oud. An unexpected harmony of pop art colour and edgy dark intensity that challenges conventional fragrance expectations.

Miami Split
EAU DE PARFUM
Miami split
An edgy white oud
$220 USD
6mL 6mL
50mL 50mL
TOP
Green banana, burnt caramel
HEART
White oud (boya agarwood)
Base
Trio of labdanum
MOOD

Warhol-esque banana meets rebellious labdanum white-oud. An unexpected harmony of pop art colour and edgy dark intensity that challenges conventional fragrance expectations.

More info

Where does labdanum come from?

Labdanum is a resin that exudes from the leaves of the cistus, or rockrose, a low Mediterranean shrub that grows wild in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Morocco. The plant developed its sticky resin to protect itself from heat and dry winds. Traditionally it was collected by combing the wool of goats that had grazed among the shrubs; today it is harvested with cloths and combs.

Extracted into an absolute, cistus labdanum becomes one of perfumery's oldest and most useful natural materials, with records of its use going back thousands of years. It is the warm, resinous backbone of the amber accord, and Abel uses it from 100% natural sources: Miami Split rests on a trio of labdanum layered for depth, and Cobalt Amber uses cistus labdanum absolute at the heart of its warm amber. It pairs naturally with vanilla, benzoin, oud and rose.

When to wear labdanum

Labdanum is a base note with strong longevity, anchoring a fragrance for many hours and adding a warmth and resinous depth that lingers on skin and clothes. It is the note that makes a scent feel golden and enveloping.

That amber warmth suits cooler months and the evening, for occasions where you want depth and presence, and it layers beautifully under sweeter or spicier notes. In Miami Split it holds the whole composition together for hours, while in Cobalt Amber it gives the amber its sultry, glowing heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does labdanum smell like?

Labdanum is warm, balsamic, resinous and faintly leathery, with an amber-honey richness. It is the closest natural ingredient to the smell most people call "amber".

What is labdanum made from?

Labdanum is a sticky resin that exudes from the leaves of the cistus, or rockrose, shrub. It is traditionally collected in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and cistus labdanum absolute is the perfumery-grade extract.

Is labdanum the same as amber?

No, but it is a key ingredient in the amber accord. "Amber" in perfumery is a blended effect, usually built mostly from labdanum and balsams sweetened with vanilla. Labdanum is the warm, resinous backbone.

How long does labdanum last in a perfume?

Labdanum is a base note with strong longevity. It anchors a fragrance for many hours, adding warmth and resinous depth that lingers on skin and clothes.

Which Abel perfumes contain labdanum?

Miami Split rests on a trio of labdanum as its base, and Cobalt Amber also uses cistus labdanum absolute as part of its warm amber heart.