Segment Information - Reportable Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net sales:
Net sales		$ 793,478	$ 767,541	$ 1,576,789	$ 1,542,448
Segment profit:
Operating profit		164,475	148,821	331,694	310,613
Interest expense		(15,060)	(11,407)	(27,539)	(22,502)
Other income, net		2,635	(436)	2,792	5,275
Income before taxes		152,050	136,978	306,947	293,386
Flavors [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales		379,504	372,478	752,012	749,586
Segment profit:
Operating profit		90,337	84,015	182,151	176,743
Fragrances [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales		413,974	395,063	824,777	792,862
Segment profit:
Operating profit		87,596	79,924	176,833	161,522
Global expenses [Member]
Segment profit:
Operating profit		(12,232)	(8,629)	(26,141)	(20,194)
Restructuring and other charges, net
Segment profit:
Operating profit	[1]	(182)	358	(283)	170
Acquisition and related costs
Segment profit:
Operating profit	[2]	(213)	(6,566)	(1,249)	(7,066)
Operational improvement initiative costs
Segment profit:
Operating profit	[3]	(831)	(281)	(1,099)	(562)
Spanish capital tax settlement
Segment profit:
Operating profit	[4]	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,482	$ 0

[1] Restructuring and other charges, net relate to accelerated depreciation costs in Europe recorded in Cost of goods sold.

[2] Acquisition and related costs are associated with the 2015 acquisition of Lucas Meyer as discussed in Note 3, including inventory step-up charges related to the inventory acquired

[3] Operational improvement initiative costs relate to accelerated depreciation and severance costs in Asia in the 2016 period and accelerated depreciation in the 2015 period.

[4] The Spanish capital tax settlement represents interest received from the Spanish government related to the reversal of the unfavorable ruling the Spanish capital tax case from 2002, which was reversed during the year ended December 31, 2015.