Patchouli Essential Oil doesn't smell like I thought it would?

[soapgeek]

Hi all!

I opened my first bottle of patchouli essential oil just now, and it doesn't smell like I thought it would!

I thought it would smell like the hippy patchouli oil that I remember, that people wore on their demin jackets in the early 80s...

Should patchouli eo smell like that, or have I got a faulty batch? I've never bought patchouli eo before... To me, this doesn't smell strong or overpowering, just a bit 'damp' smelling, maybe a hint of sweetness...

I feel a bit disappointed

 

[shunt2011]

I use Dark Indonesian Patchouli and it's absolutely the hippy scent from the 60's. It's earthy and rich.

 

[soapgeek]

I use Dark Indonesian Patchouli and it's absolutely the hippy scent from the 60's. It's earthy and rich.

Ahh, thank you! This is just 'patchouli', I'll see if I can find where to buy dark from... I'm in the UK

 

[cmzaha]

I use the same Patchouli and it is definitely the same as I remember from the 60's and the same my daughter wore in the 90's. You want the Dark Indonesian, and if you can find Aged Dark Indonesian Patchouli it is even better.

 

[mishmish]

If you can afford to, you can set an extra bottle aside and let it age yourself. The good stuff is almost syrupy, and mellow.

 

[soapmaker]

If you can afford to, you can set an extra bottle aside and let it age yourself. The good stuff is almost syrupy, and mellow.

I buy the liter bottle and use it till it's gone. You save on shipping that way and it just gets better and better.

 

[LilianNoir]

Honestly, it really depends on the specifics of the patchouli. Where is was harvested, how the oil was processed, when it was harvested. Like any plant derived source, there's a bunch of variables that will effect (affect? I never get that right) it's final smell. Aging makes a difference too.
I may be new to soaping but not to fragrance and perfumes. LOL. Out of several hundred oil based perfumes (and over 100 fragrance and essential oils) I've got several dozen scents with patchouli in them, and the quality of it is different in every single one.

You may want to take note of the supplier and details of that particular bottle. I'd recommend trying a few different types from different sources and suppliers to see the difference if you can.