Modern Wood | Byredo Super Cedar Impression | Woody Floral Musk Perfume

Core Fragrance Details

• purelyBlack Name: Modern Wood
• Inspired By: Super Cedar by Byredo
• Olfactory Family: Woody Floral Musk
• Format Available: Roll-On 10ml, Spray 2ml, Spray 10ml

What is the scent profile of Modern Wood?

Modern Wood opens with a crystalline rose note—not powdery or romantic, but clean, airy, and almost cool to the touch, evoking the quiet elegance of a Scandinavian loft at dawn. Within minutes, the heart unfolds: Virginian cedarwood takes centre stage with remarkable clarity, delivering the unmistakable scent of freshly sharpened pencils, warm wood shavings, and polished timber. This is not the humid, forest-floor cedar of traditional woody fragrances; it is architectural, linear, and deliberately restrained. The cedar note dominates for hours with a dry, slightly smoky character that feels both modern and nostalgic. As the fragrance settles into its base (3–6 hours), earthy Haitian vetiver and soft white musk emerge, grounding the composition with subtle green and skin-like warmth. The entire journey is beautifully linear—what you smell in the first hour remains largely consistent, a hallmark of Byredo's minimalist design ethos and the vision of perfumer Jérôme Epinette, who has crafted some of the Swedish house's most iconic creations.

Longevity & Projection

• Longevity: Approximately 2–3 hours as a skin scent on most wearers; the roll-on format anchors to skin for extended wear, often persisting for 6–8 hours
• Projection: Projection is very low and it sits close to the skin—intimate and personal rather than room-filling
• Best Season: Year-round versatility, with particular appeal during autumn and spring
• Best Occasion: Office, casual weekends, art gallery openings, minimalist fashion events, or any occasion where you want to smell polished but not overpowering

What Makes Byredo Super Cedar a Unique Woody Floral Musk Fragrance?

The inspiration behind Byredo Super Cedar is deceptively simple yet profoundly conceptual—it seeks to capture the essence of the pencil, specifically the scent of sharpening a cedarwood pencil, that evocative blend of raw wood shavings and the faint, dry graphite of the lead. This is not the cedar of humid forests or aromatic chests, but the cedar of the atelier, the workshop, and the library. Launched in 2016, Byredo Super Cedar arrived at a pivotal moment in modern perfumery, a period characterized by a collective yearning for authenticity and material purity. Founded by Ben Gorham in 2006, Byredo had already established itself as a bastion of Scandinavian minimalism. Super Cedar emerged as a deliberate, standalone statement within the brand's 'Bibliothèque' collection—a curated selection of scents inspired by the raw materials of perfumery itself.

What Are the Scent Notes in Byredo Super Cedar?

• Top Notes: Rose
• Middle Notes: Virginian Cedar
• Base Notes: Haitian Vetiver and Musk

Fragrance Family: Woody Floral Musk

What Is the Scent Journey of Byredo Super Cedar?

At first spray, Super Cedar greets you with a soft, transparent rose note—this rose is crisp, airy, and almost cool in its execution. The opening is unexpectedly floral yet utterly unisex, providing a subtle elegance that lasts approximately 15–30 minutes before the heart reveals itself. As the rose settles, Virginian cedarwood takes centre stage—dry, aromatic, and ever so slightly smoky. This cedar note is what defines Super Cedar, reminiscent of high-end pencils, warm wood shavings, and freshly cut timber, yet rather than being rugged or earthy, it's polished, smooth, and linear. Super Cedar was developed by perfumer Jérôme Epinette, whose signature style emphasises transparent clarity and material honesty. The dry-down unfolds over 3–6 hours as a subtle set of white musks is added, that adds a slightly richer character to the whole, while vetiver's green, earthy facets anchor the composition close to the skin.

Explore our full Byredo Super Cedar notes & scent guide for a detailed breakdown of each layer.

How Does Modern Wood Compare to Byredo Super Cedar?

Modern Wood is our impression of Byredo Super Cedar, capturing the aromatic DNA of clean, dry Virginian cedarwood balanced with transparent rose and earthy vetiver. Our formulation shares the same minimalist philosophy—stripped-down elegance with a focus on the central cedar note. The purelyBlack interpretation delivers the pencil-shaving character and polished wood aesthetic that defines the original, with our oil-based roll-on format providing extended longevity and intimate projection. We aim for authenticity without claiming to be identical.

Who Is Byredo Super Cedar For?

This scent suits individuals who appreciate refined, non-flashy fragrance—those who want their perfume to complement their presence rather than announce it. If you're someone who leans towards clean lines, neutral tones, and timeless style, Super Cedar is your olfactory match. It's the signature scent of architects, minimalists, creatives, and anyone drawn to Scandinavian design philosophy. Perfect for professional environments, casual sophistication, and intimate wear.

What Fragrances Is Byredo Super Cedar Frequently Compared To?

Byredo Super Cedar reminds reviewers of Another 13, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 due to its Iso E Super content, and Byredo Desert Dawn for similar woody projection. Fans of Le Labo Santal 33 often appreciate Super Cedar's dry, woody aesthetic, though Super Cedar is lighter and less leathery. Our MOJAVE MIST offers another minimalist Byredo experience with musky sandalwood instead of cedar.

How to Wear Modern Wood

• Pulse Points: Apply the roll-on to inner wrists, behind the ears, the base of the throat, and the inside of elbows. These warm spots activate and project the fragrance throughout the day.
• Layering Tip: Layer Modern Wood beneath MOJAVE MIST for a soft woody-amber hybrid that extends the cedar's warmth, or pair with REMEMBRANCE to amplify the clean, aromatic freshness with citrus brightness.
• Seasonal Wear: This versatile fragrance can be enjoyed year-round, with its fresh yet warm cedarwood and floral profile making it particularly appealing during the autumn and spring months, when its dry wood character harmonises beautifully with transitional weather.
• Longevity Tip: Apply to moisturised skin for maximum longevity. The Fractionated Coconut Oil base adheres to hydrated skin significantly better than dry skin.
• Customise Your Scent: Add 1–2 drops of purelyBlack Vetiver essential oil to deepen the earthy green facets, or add Frankincense to enhance the dry, meditative wood qualities with subtle resinous warmth.

Curious how it compares to the original? Read our Byredo Super Cedar dupe review Australia.

You May Also Love

• MOJAVE MIST — our Byredo Mojave Ghost impression, a musky sandalwood alternative that shares the same minimalist DNA
• NOCTURNE PATCHOULI — Aesop Cythera dupe with dry woody spice and aromatic vetiver
• REMEMBRANCE — our Aesop Resurrection alternative, blending citrus clarity with fresh woods
• Miraceti — Aesop Miraceti impression featuring cedar, vetiver, and woody aromatic depth

Our Perfumery Philosophy

purelyBlack creates high-quality impressions of designer and niche fragrances, offering exceptional value without compromising on scent authenticity. Our fragrances are formulated at EDP concentration with a 20–30% perfume oil ratio, delivering true Eau de Parfum longevity. We are proudly Australian-owned, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free.

Choose Your Format

• Roll-On (Long-Lasting Anchor): Suspended in 100% alcohol-free Fractionated Coconut Oil. Apply 2–3 swipes directly to pulse points — behind the ears, temples, or wrists — to anchor the fragrance to your body heat. Shake well before use.
• Spray (High Projection): Formulated with a natural alcohol base (produced via sugar fermentation). Designed for use on both skin and clothing for broader projection.

Quality & Purity

• 100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free: No animal-derived ingredients. Never tested on animals.
• Australian Owned: Proudly Australian-owned and operated perfumery.
• EDP Concentration: Formulated at 20–30% perfume oil ratio for Eau de Parfum longevity.
• Alcohol-Free Roll-On Base: Fractionated Coconut Oil ensures long-lasting skin adhesion.

Brand Disclaimer

• purelyBlack creates high-quality impressions and alternatives to designer and niche fragrances. purelyBlack is an independent Australian entity with no affiliation, association, or connection to the original brand, its manufacturers, or its products. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. We operate in strict compliance with comparative advertising policies.

Free Shipping & Returns

• Free shipping Australia wide. Return within 30 days for a full refund or replacement — no questions asked.