Segment Information - Reportable Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 842,861		$ 793,478	$ 1,671,154	$ 1,576,789
Segment profit:
Restructuring and other charges, net	(791)		0	(10,934)	0
Gain on sales of fixed assets	68		197	89	2,910
Tax assessment		$ (5,400)
Operating profit	159,142		164,672	296,578	334,604
Interest expense	(17,556)		(15,060)	(30,363)	(27,539)
Other income, net	454		2,438	14,312	(118)
Income before taxes	142,040		152,050	280,527	306,947
Flavors [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	414,323		379,504	820,487	752,012
Segment profit:
Operating profit	100,338		90,337	198,346	182,151
Fragrances [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	428,538		413,974	850,667	824,777
Segment profit:
Operating profit	84,860		87,596	166,557	176,833
Global expenses [Member]
Segment profit:
Operating profit	(13,398)		(12,268)	(29,594)	(26,141)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment profit:
Restructuring and other charges, net	(791)		(182)	(10,934)	(283)
Acquisition and related costs	(6,278)		(213)	(15,066)	(1,249)
Operational improvement initiative costs	(445)		(831)	(1,066)	(1,099)
Legal charge	(1,000)		36	(1,000)	1,482
Gain on sales of fixed assets	68		197	89	2,910
Tax assessment	19		0	(5,331)	0
Integration-related costs	(731)		0	(1,923)	0
FDA mandated product recall	$ (3,500)		$ 0	$ (3,500)	$ 0