A range, not a rigid answer.
Pencil shavings, dry lumber, clean wood, smoke, pepper or a polished closet.
Deeper sensory reference
Cedar
Cedar language can refer to natural oils, synthetic materials or a constructed dry-wood impression.
drypencil-likecleanwoody
Why a perfumer may use the effect.
Adds dryness, structure, lift, contrast and a recognizable woody outline.
Keep the evidence boundary visible.
Pencil-shaving smell is a useful sensory clue, not proof that one particular cedar oil is present.
Words that change the way you read it.
Sandalwood · vetiver · dry woods · smoke