Cade Oil (CAS 8013-10-3) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cade Oil
CAS 8013-10-3
What Is Cade Oil?
Cade oil is a dark, smoky essential oil distilled from the wood of the juniper tree (Juniperus oxycedrus). People encounter it in niche perfumes, men’s colognes, and some traditional medicinal preparations. Its intense aroma makes it a distinctive but polarizing ingredient. This oil matters because it provides a unique leathery, tarry character that’s hard to replicate. Used since ancient times for preservation and medicine, it now lends depth to modern fragrances seeking rugged, outdoorsy profiles.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cade Oil Smell Like?
Cade oil erupts with an aggressive, medicinal smokiness reminiscent of burning tires and antiseptic. The initial blast settles into a complex heart of charred wood, leather saddles, and faint berry-like sweetness. Over hours, it transforms into a dry, ashy base with lingering animalic undertones. Like a campfire after rain, it balances destruction with earthy renewal. The dry-down reveals hidden facets: a whisper of pine resin, a hint of iodine, and the ghost of smoked meats.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Cade oil’s brutal smokiness amplifies the leather chypre structure, creating a scent that smells like a biker jacket tossed into a bonfire. It provides the burnt rubber edge that makes Bandit legendary.
Here cade oil evokes saddle leather and desert campfires, blending with smoky birch tar to create a photorealistic cowboy accord. The oil’s medicinal sharpness cuts through sweeter notes.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cade oil is produced through destructive distillation of juniper wood, yielding a complex mixture of phenols (guaiacol, cresols), sesquiterpenes, and ketones. The smoky character comes from pyrolysis products like guaiacol (4-10%) and cresols. Modern rectification removes some harsh compounds while preserving the signature tarry profile. Unlike steam-distilled oils, cade’s production method creates unique molecules not found in living plants.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Dark brown viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Overpowering if overused |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.3% | Masking agent for industrial products |
Classic Accords
Tip: Pre-dilute to 10% in alcohol before blending to control dosage accuracy.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar smokiness but with more phenolic sharpness and less leathery depth. Better for replicating campfire rather than medicinal notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA, but usage should follow general phenol guidelines.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains guaiacol and cresols which may require declaration above certain thresholds.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation recommends keeping below 0.5% in leave-on products due to sensitization potential.
Sustainability
Wild-harvested from drought-resistant juniper shrubs, cade production has low ecological impact when properly managed. However, destructive distillation requires significant wood material. Some producers now use pruned branches rather than whole trees. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the full complexity of authentic cade oil.
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References
- Lawrence, B.M. (2003). Progress in Essential Oils: Cade Oil. Perfumer & Flavorist.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8013-10-3Odor & Flavor
| Cade oil is identical to juniper tar, obtained by destructive distillation of the wood from Jeniperus oxycedrus. The oil usually is rectified under vacuum to improve color and solubility. The cade oil used in perfumery is usually a rectified oil.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
