Peru balsam, despite the name, comes from El Salvador, and it is one of the richest, most voluptuous resins in perfumery. It smells deep and sweet, like vanilla, cinnamon, warm leather and dried fruit soaked in rum. It is more intense and balsamic than tolu balsam, with a distinctive warm density. Perfumers prize it for oriental, tobacco and leather compositions where maximum richness is wanted. In Indian weather, Peru balsam is a winter-only indulgence, its opulence would suffocate in summer heat but unfolds magnificently on cool nights, lasting for hours with powerful projection. A little goes a long way. If you love deep, enveloping scents that feel like velvet, Peru balsam is likely the note you are responding to.