Black Agar Givco 215/2 – Oud Reconstruction
Black Agar Givco 215/2 by Givaudan – The Complete Reference
Black Agar Givco 215/2 belongs to a whole family of Givaudan bases that hardly anyone outside the industry knows – and is at the same time one of the most-used materials when it comes to reconstructing agarwood. This reference explains where the name "Givco" comes from, how the material is used in practice, and what makes its composition so special.
Contents
- What is Black Agar Givco 215/2?
- What does it smell like?
- Role in the formula – where and how to use it
- Origin – the Givco family
- Composition in detail
- Quick reference: chemistry and safety
- Further questions
1. What is Black Agar Givco 215/2?
Black Agar Givco 215/2 is a ready-made reconstruction base by Givaudan that reproduces the character of black agarwood (oud). It is not a single substance, but a composed mixture of over 20 aroma materials and natural materials – designed as a directly usable building block for perfumers, not as a reconstruction you would have to assemble yourself.
2. What does it smell like?
The scent is woody-ambery with a pronounced olibanum streak, balsamic and slightly smoky – according to the manufacturer's description, the base reflects the typical smell of the black resin of agarwood, as it arises when agarwood chips are burned. Compared with real, dark agar oil, the interpretation is considered brighter and less dense – a "looser," more accessible oud impression that integrates more easily into compositions than the intense natural material.
3. Role in the formula – where and how to use it
Black Agar Givco 215/2 acts across the entire fragrance development – from the top note to the base note – and is typically used from pure trace amounts up to around 5%.
Proven fields of application:
- Oriental compositions and Arabian perfumery, including classic mukhallat oils
- Chypre structures, interpreted both classically and contemporarily
- Incense and agarbatti (incense sticks)
- Men's leather and woody fragrances, where it brings depth without animalic heaviness
Proven combination partners according to practical experience: olibanum (frankincense), myrrh, opoponax, sandalwood, as well as saffron and rose for oriental accords. The base's own formulation also contains patchouli, amyris, cedarwood, labdanum and guaiac wood – materials with which Black Agar, as one would expect, combines particularly harmoniously.
A comparison often drawn in the field: with "Oud Synthetic," Firmenich offers an independent, separately developed interpretation of the same theme. Both materials are often mentioned side by side in practice when it comes to synthetic oud bases – each with its own character and its own areas of emphasis.
4. Origin – the Givco family
"Givco" is not a standalone product line in the narrow sense, but the collective designation under which Givaudan markets its composed reconstitution bases – in contrast to the individual captive molecules such as Ebanol™ or Sandalore™, which each carry their own brand name. The Givco family is considerably larger than one would initially suspect: alongside Black Agar Givco, Givaudan's portfolio also includes, for example, Green Tea Givco 228. Each of these bases pursues the same basic principle: to reproduce a complex natural material – often rare, expensive or fluctuating in quality – through a consistent, reproducible composition.
Independently of Givaudan's own statements, the composition of Black Agar Givco 215/2 can also be traced in practice: on specialist forums such as Basenotes, experienced perfumers have independently analyzed the base and identified, among other things, Methyl Cedryl Ketone (Vertofix), benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate – exactly those components that are also listed as declarable components in Givaudan's official safety data sheet. This independent confirmation by the perfumer community matches the manufacturer's data.
5. Composition in detail
With over 20 declared components, Black Agar Givco 215/2 is one of the most complex bases in our range. The main components according to the safety data sheet:
| Component | Proportion | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Oxyoctaline Formate | 10–20% | Woody-ambery, olibanum-like |
| Beta-ionone | 10–20% | Violet-like, woody-fruity |
| Tetralin dioxolane (Azurone-related) | 5–10% | Woody-ambery, diffusive |
| Vertofix (Methyl Cedryl Ketone) | 5–10% | Cedarwood, dry-ambery |
| Hydrogenated rosin methyl ester | 5–10% | Balsamic, fixing |
| Elemi oil (natural) | 2.5–5% | Resinous, slightly peppery |
| Ebanol™ | 1–2.5% | Sandalwood, long-lasting |
| Benzyl benzoate | 1–2.5% | Balsamic, fixing |
In total, the base comprises over 20 declarable components.
6. Quick reference: chemistry and safety
You will find the complete physico-chemical data as well as the basic safety information on the product page. In summary: a perfumery mixture by Givaudan with a skin-sensitizing and water-hazardous classification (H317, H400/H410), water hazard class 3 in Germany.
Frequently asked questions about Black Agar Givco 215/2
What does "Givco" in the name mean?
"Givco" is Givaudan's collective designation for its composed reconstitution bases – in contrast to single molecules with their own brand name such as Ebanol™ or Sandalore™. There is a whole family of such bases, including, alongside Black Agar, also Green Tea Givco.
Is Black Agar Givco 215/2 the same as Firmenich's Oud Synthetic?
No, these are two independent, separately developed interpretations of the same theme from two different manufacturers – each with its own character profile.
What dosage should be used?
The usual usage range goes from pure trace amounts up to around 5%, depending on the desired intensity and type of composition.
What is Black Agar Givco 215/2 typically used for?
For oriental compositions and mukhallat oils, chypre structures, incense (agarbatti), as well as men's leather and woody fragrances.