Cassis Base 345B: What It Is, How to Use It & Recommended Ratios in Perfumery

Imagine a crisp handful of blackcurrant dropped onto the top of a formula — that sharp, green, faintly sulphurous sparkle takes over the opening. That is precisely the effect Cassis Base 345B is designed to deliver. It is a base — not a single molecule, but a blended raw material composition crafted to recreate the impression of cassis (blackcurrant).

Different manufacturers offer similar bases under different codes; "345B" is a commercial base name and cannot be expressed as a single CAS number. For a working reference, we recommend consulting the specific batch listed on the product page at esans.com.tr.

The character is sharp: green leaf, tart fruit, and a distinctive cat urine/sulphurous facet. Do not let that sulphurous edge put you off — it is precisely what gives blackcurrant its realism. At low dosages this note adds vibrancy to the fruit; at high dosages it becomes dominant and metallic.

Its position in the pyramid sits between the top and heart. Once the top notes evaporate, it acts as a fresh bridge, leaving a green luminosity in the opening of the composition. On its own, its longevity is not particularly long; how long it stays on stage depends on the structure beneath it.

This raw material is potent. Within the composition (fragrance oil concentrate), the range of 0.1–2% is sufficient for most applications. In many professional formulae it remains at trace level, below 0.5%. Start with a small dose — at low levels it is elegant; at high levels it turns sharp.

Remember: longevity does not depend on dosage alone. Blackcurrant is an inherently volatile character; even at 2% it will not last long on its own. Usage rate alone does not determine performance — the structure of the formula and the balance of volatility does.

Cassis Base 345B is in liquid form, so there is no need for the dilution or melting required with solid materials. That said, given its potency, preparing a 10% stock solution is the most practical approach for precise dosing.

It dissolves readily in ethanol (perfumer's alcohol), DPG (dipropylene glycol), and IPM (isopropyl myristate). For your stock, use DPG or ethanol; a few minutes on a magnetic stirrer is sufficient and heat is generally not required.

Note: DPG and IPM are carrier solvents/emollients (they slightly slow volatility) — they are not true fixatives. To extend longevity, work with genuine fixatives such as macrocyclic musks or heavy resins and balsams.

Blackcurrant is an elegant bridge between the freshness of citrus and a floral-fruity heart. Use it sparingly, add it late, and allow plenty of maceration time. The rest is your signature.