Segment Information - Reportable Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales		$ 767,541	$ 788,414	$ 1,542,448	$ 1,558,638
Segment profit:
Operating profit		148,821	153,115	310,613	309,168
Restructuring and other charges, net		358	(182)	170	(304)
Acquisition and related costs	[1]	(6,566)	0	(7,066)	0
Operational improvement initiative costs	[2]	(281)	(3,113)	(562)	(5,732)
Interest expense		(11,407)	(11,403)	(22,502)	(23,080)
Other income, net		(436)	4,641	5,275	3,198
Income before taxes		136,978	146,353	293,386	289,286
Flavors [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales		372,478	375,513	749,586	742,018
Segment profit:
Operating profit		84,015	90,805	176,743	178,869
Fragrances [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales		395,063	412,901	792,862	816,620
Segment profit:
Operating profit		79,924	85,474	161,522	172,638
Global expenses [Member]
Segment profit:
Operating profit		$ (8,629)	$ (19,869)	$ (20,194)	$ (36,303)

[1] Acquisition and related costs are associated with the acquisitions of Ottens Flavors and Lucas Meyer as discussed in Note 3, including inventory step-up charges related to Ottens Flavors.

[2] Operational improvement initiative costs relate to the closing of a smaller facility in Europe and certain manufacturing activities in Asia, while transferring production to larger facilities in each respective region.