Segment Information - Reportable Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,821,446	$ 2,788,018	$ 2,622,862
Consolidated segment assets	3,249,600	2,965,581
Operating profit	486,618	427,729	416,361
Interest expense	(41,753)	(44,639)	(48,709)
Operating Profit Margin	17.20%	15.30%	15.90%
Other expense, net	(1,450)	(9,544)	(8,059)
Income before taxes	443,415	373,546	359,593
Restructuring and Other Charges, Net [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	(1,668)	(13,172)	10,077
Mane Patent Litigation Settlement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit		(33,495)
Flavors [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,378,377	1,347,340	1,203,274
Consolidated segment assets	1,422,762	1,327,279
Operating profit	298,326	284,246	242,528
Operating Profit Margin	21.60%	21.10%	20.20%
Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,443,069	1,440,678	1,419,588
Consolidated segment assets	1,519,219	1,512,511
Operating profit	238,379	226,560	244,966
Operating Profit Margin	16.50%	15.70%	17.30%
Global assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated segment assets	307,619	125,791
Global expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	$ (48,419)	$ (36,410)	$ 61,056