What does Lemon Verbena smell like?
Lemon verbena smells like herbal tea just poured, before it cools. A soft lime, fresh herbs and an almost floral hint. It is rounder than lemongrass and less bitter than grapefruit. Up top it wakes you up. It fades fast on skin, within about an hour. Then the aromatic notes it usually travels with take over.
Origin and production
Aloysia citrodora is native to South America, notably Argentina and Chile. The Spanish brought it to Europe, where it settled in southern gardens. Its essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and rich in citral. It is expensive and tightly restricted by IFRA. Perfumers often replace it with a blend built on citral and litsea cubeba.
How perfumers use it
In classic men's fragrances lemon verbena often opens a heart of lavender, sage or moss. Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme (1971) uses it in a very straight aromatic cologne. Creed Green Irish Tweed sets it above violet leaf and iris. Boucheron pour Homme pairs it with lavender. Older still, Rochas Moustache used it in a 1949 cologne.
How to wear it
Lemon verbena suits spring to late summer. Green Irish Tweed lasts better than most. Lighter colognes need a top-up in the afternoon.