Musk

Ambrette

Note Profile

Natural 40 perfumes

Also Known As

Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Ambrette Seed, Ambrette Seeds, Musk Mallow

About

Plant-based musk

Scent Profile

Ambrette has a soft, musky scent with subtle nuances of pear, rose, and powdery iris. It evolves from a delicate, slightly fruity top note to a warm, skin-like musk in the drydown. Its aroma is less animalic than traditional musks, offering a refined vegetal warmth.

Citrus 0%

Floral 15%

Fruity 5%

Green 0%

Sweet 20%

Warm 5%

Woody 0%

Earthy 0%

Animalic 55%

Fresh 10%

Origin

Ambrette is derived from the seeds of the Abelmoschus moschatus plant, native to India and Southeast Asia. The seeds are cleaned, dried, and then solvent-extracted or steam-distilled to obtain ambrette seed oil, which contains ambrettolide, the key musk molecule.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use ambrette primarily as a base note to impart natural muskiness and enhance longevity. It blends well with florals, woods, and citrus, and is valued in both fine fragrance and natural perfumery as a botanical alternative to animal musks.