Musk

Ambroxan

Note Profile

Molecule 1,614 perfumes

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Also Known As

Ambramone™, Ambrexolide, Ambrofix, Ambrox, Ambrox Super, ambrox-type woods, ambroxan type woods, Z11™ Hd

About

Ambroxan is ambroxide, a woody-amber synthetic made to recreate the smell of ambergris. It smells dry, clean and warm, with woody and musky tones and a faint salty edge. It is one of the main fixatives in modern perfumery.

Scent Profile

Ambroxan smells of dry, clean ambergris. Woody, cedar-like and musky tones sit under it, with a faint salty, marine edge. Some describe a mineral, clean-laundry quality and a hint of tobacco and powder. A delicate animalic warmth can show. It is radiant and lasts for days. It carries a warm amber, resinous depth that sits beneath the dry wood.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~48h lasting

Family Amber · Musk · Leather, Woody & Earthy

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

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ScentArt

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Materials That Can Make This Note

Perfumers can use this material directly to make Ambroxan.

Ambroxide labdanum · ambergris · cedar

Smell words come from published sources.

A given perfume with this note may use this material, or something else.

Origin

Ambroxan is Kao's trade name for ambroxide (CAS 6790-58-5). Ambroxide is one of the molecules that give ambergris its smell. Kao commercialised Ambroxan in the 1970s and makes it from sclareol, which comes from clary sage. Firmenich (Ambrox), Givaudan (Ambrofix) and other makers sell the same molecule. The route needs no ambergris from whales.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use ambroxan as a base note and a fixative. It works from traces up to about 2% and lasts over a month on a smelling strip. It adds warmth, volume and diffusion. It suits woody, amber, fresh and marine accords in both masculine and feminine fragrances.