Exploring Castoreum · Brotherhood Of Scent

Exploring Castoreum

I've been exploring castoreum fragrances this week and thought I'd share here for those that may be interested in this beavery magic. :)

*What is castoreum?*

Castoreum is a yellowish, oily, and pungent exudate produced in specialized pockets called castor sacs located near the base of a beaver’s tail in both male and female beavers.

*What does it smell like?*

- In its raw form, castoreum has a sharp, intense, aggressive, and somewhat unpleasant aroma with heavy notes of birch tar, leather, and musk.

- Diluted and aged as a tincture for use in perfumery, it softens into a warm, rich, cozy, leathery, and animalic scent with subtle undertones of smoke, wood, tobacco, fruitiness, and a sweet quality reminiscent of vanilla or raspberries.

*Harvesting Note:*

Although castoreum can be harvested without harming the animal it is not generally done that way. Beavers are not hunted/farmed for castoreum, it is taken as a by-product as part of legal wildlife management. However, due to ethical concerns many perfume houses use synthetic castoreum.

*Fragrances I wore this week and how the castoreum presents.*

- Roja Danger PPH | Castoreum is subtle with a lightly animalic leathery note.

- Meleg Canadian Gentleman | Castoreum is a bit dirty but not overly so. The overall composition is quite intimate so even being a bit dirty it is light

- Caron Yatagan (80s vintage) | The funkiest of the bunch. Boldy animalic and a bit of a dirty leather vibe.

- Angelo Fusco Aah | This fragrance is only available in Dr. Angelo Fusco's boutiques in Milan and Rome. A friend was kind enough to grab me a bottle. The best I can describe this is a niche version of Chanel Antaeus with brighter top notes and a richer dry down. Castoreum is present but very, very polished. I love this scent.

- Bortnikoff Oud Monarch | Castoreum is pretty rich in this but fairly smooth.

Anyone else enjoy castoreum in scents and have some to recommend?

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Exploring Castoreum