Euan McCall is regarded as a pioneer of contemporary perfumery and has played a key role in establishing Scotland as a visible force in the global fragrance industry. His connection to perfumery began in childhood, shaped by his grandparents’ horticultural business and his grandmother’s passion for perfume. A trip to Grasse at the age of eight further strengthened his ambition to become a perfumer, even though there were few clear career paths in this field within Scotland.

McCall developed his path into perfumery largely in an autodidactic way. He actively sought out exchange with experienced perfumers, receiving informal training from a Highland-based perfumer and early mentorship from Dr. George Dodd, an Irish perfumer and biochemist. In 2009, he founded Jorum Laboratories, offering international formulation and consultancy services. After nearly a decade of experience and collaborations with brands such as Neandertal and Senyokô, he co-founded Jorum Studio in 2019 together with his partner Chloe Mullen.

His creative philosophy is centered on creating new olfactory landscapes through the innovative use of high-quality raw materials. McCall describes his fragrances as “dreams brought to life through the combination of aromatic materials,” aiming to evoke emotion and deliver an intangible sense of joy. His approach is calm and analytical, involving extensive research, visual concept development, and a deliberately slow creative process that allows ideas to evolve naturally.

With his signature collection Scottish Odyssey, McCall expresses his contemporary, impressionistic approach to perfumery. Each composition is inspired by specific locations and stories from Scotland, translating the raw beauty of the Highlands into olfactory experiences. Firewater captures the atmosphere of a beach fire at the Corryvreckan whirlpool, combining smoky peat with citrus-charred nuances and marine elements such as sugar kelp.

Gorseland presents a sunlit interpretation of the Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh, where bright yellow gorse blossoms emerge from the rugged landscape. The fragrance opens with fresh apple and chamomile, developing into a multifaceted composition of yellow florals and botanical notes such as pineapple chamomile and elderflower. Healing Berry, in contrast, explores the valley of Strathmore, blending wild Scottish berries into a tannic, sweet-bitter composition that balances themes of healing and intensity.

McCall’s technical precision is also evident in creations such as Spiritcask, which evokes Glasgow’s Queen’s Dock through alcoholic nuances of whisky lactone, cognac, and rum, balanced with vanilla and oakwood. His ability to incorporate rare ingredients such as beardtongue, zdravetz, and kush highlights his commitment to working with exceptional raw materials while pushing creative boundaries.

Jorum Studio’s fully in-house production process—from formulation to manufacturing—reflects McCall’s artisanal philosophy. Through his work, he has established Scotland as a serious player in niche perfumery. While the brand continues to expand internationally, it remains rooted in its authentic Scottish identity and its dedication to innovative, high-quality fragrance creation.