Perfume formulators have always valued musk as a base note. And it’s no wonder. Musk is a powerful, captivating, yet mysterious fragrance. But trying to describe musk would be like trying to describe the flavor of vanilla to someone who’s never had ice cream – it’s impossible to pin down. No one single word can do it justice. But if we really had to try, we’d say that musk smells of a chemical earthiness, mixed with a clean floral essence that sometimes gives off some nutty and woody nuances. Flowing throughout is an animalic quality that completes musk’s overall primal, sexual and irresistible nature.

With this incredibly diverse fragrance profile, it’s no wonder that placed in the hands of master perfumers, musk can be incredibly versatile. It goes well with just about anything, including florals, citruses, heavy Orientals, and even gourmands. Moreover, perfumers love using musky notes in their concoctions because it enhances the longevity of other less lingering ingredients, keeping them close to the skin. At the same time, it provides a softening effect that can subtly round off the harsher edges of some top and middle notes.