ÇaFleureBon Ambergris in Perfumery “Sperm Whale Poop and Floating Gold” + 7 Rare Ambergris Fragrance Draw

JK De Lapp of The Rising Phoenix Group Photo of  Ambergris on the Beach Bahamas ©

Mysterious, otherworldly, smelling of the ocean and of life, stinky and ethereal, ambergris is legendary, and valued beyond gold. Never cultivated, only found, improving as it ages, and soaking in fragrances of sun, sea, and air, it is an aromatic like none other.

Photograph by David Liittschwager, National Geographic; collection of Mandy Aftel ©

Perfumer Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes describes the lure of the exotic ambergris in her book Fragrant: “The landscape of perfumery is rife with substances that trigger our sense of wonder, their origins so arcane as to seem mythic, with scents to match—funky, earthy, impossible to describe, at once attractive and repulsive. Perhaps the epitome of this world of wonders is ambergris, with its exotic origins in the digestive tract of sperm whales, and its surprisingly delicate, almost unearthly aroma.”

 Artist Kano Tsunenobu, Dragon Painting

To describe ambergris, we need to talk about its origin, which remained a mystery for centuries. There were a number of theories: perhaps it was a blend of labdanum, aloe-wood, and civet; the dried foam of seals; the excrement of a sea bird that lived on sweet herbs; the product of some kind of undersea fountain; a mixture of beeswax and honey from shore-dwelling bees; or perhaps a truffle growing at the bottom of the sea. Or my favorite, Chinese legend tells of dragons sleeping on rocks that drool ambergris into the ocean.

The Whalers Joseph Mallord William Turner

Sadly, it was the whale-fishing industry that provided answers, helping us to understand that ambergris originates in the digestive tract of whales. A specific whale, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and sometimes the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) are the only known source for ambergris. Whalers found an icky black substance, recognized as crude ambergris, in the intestines of whales they caught. This clearly pointed to a digestive tract origin but the question remained…from which end. Is it vomit or feces? Those who have smelled the fresh stuff clearly vote for the ‘poo’ theory. Others subscribe to a front end origin or the ‘whale vomit’ concept. The reality is that, while not technically feces, ambergris is a product of the lower intestine and it comes out smelly and stinky.

Master Perfumer Maurice Roucel of Symrise wrote in his January 1, 2011 interview with Michelyn (about IFRA regulations) on Ambergris, “It is a stupidity to forbid this material. Because you actually protect the Sperm Whale, by using it. Nothing in the world smells this disgusting. It’s black and liquid, you have never seen anything so vile. But after year after year, the sun, wind and ocean transforms it into a solid like bleached stone. The smell now is gorgeous”.

Both the stinky black mass and beautifully cured silvery ambergris contain the sharp beaks of cuttlefish, a primary prey item of the sperm whales. These beaks are indigestible, potentially irritating, and mostly likely regurgitated in 99% of whales without damage. For the unlucky 1%, the beaks remain in the digestive system and are coated with layers of a waxy substance called ambreine. Scientists don’t know whether this blob of waxes, aromatic chemicals, and squid beaks makes it way out with the feces in some cases or whether its immutable destiny is to remain within the whale, growing larger and ‘aging’ in the lower digestive tract. These impactions become pathological and eventually cause a rupture, killing the whale and releasing the waxy mass of ambergris into the sea.

JK De Lapp of The Rising Phoenix Group Photo of Grey Ambergris

This, then, is where the magic occurs. Lumpy, dark, fecal, and unattractive, the waxy and fatty ambergris floats on the ocean. Sun, salt air, and time continue the conversion of ambreine and other scented and unscented molecules into the indescribable treasure that is ambergris. As the darkness fades into grey, a silvery sheen appears on the rounded mass of ambergris, cuttlefish beaks still firmly embedded, and the fragrance blooms.

JK De Lapp of The Rising Phoenix Group holding 100 yr old ambergris ©

Called ‘floating gold’ it is found on beaches throughout the world and a quick search online will find stories of ambergris finds in the tens of thousands of dollars, often involving a dog sniffing out the smelly stuff. Ambergris in the wild looks like nothing more than a slightly rough rock, bringing to mind the meaning of its name, ambergris, or grey amber.

Amber resin stones

The name amber is famously confusing (see my post on amber) and generally refers to the yellow-gold gemstone which is smooth to the touch and may contain insects while ambra may be shorthand for ambergris. National Geographic writes that a British boy and his Dad found a chunk of ambergris weighing in at 1 lb worth $63,0000) and  when used in perfumery can be thousands of dollars an ounce. Ambegris is rare, even illegal in some countries.  Ambergris adds tenacity, radiance, sillage, lift, marine and woody notes, and a very special beauty to perfumes.

Lagoon in Fairchild Gardens

Natural Perfumer Anya McCoy of Anya’s Garden has this to say about ambergris: “I first started using ambergris in 2002, and I still have some of that vintage tincture. In 2006, I released my first perfume containing ambergris, Fairchild. It’s a Floral Marine Chypre, and the ambergris melded the seaweed and choya nakh to the florals in a seamless, slightly salty way.”

Due to legal constraints, rarity, and expense, replacements have been highly sought after. In order to recreate important odor components of ambergris, fragrance chemists went to clary sage, cistus/labdanum, and balsam fir. Reconstructions vary in their intensity, woodiness, ambery quality, and longevity, and they take advantage of a certain similarity in odor profiles to create, for example, AMBROX© from clary sage which, depending on form, may be warm and animalic, or woody. There are at least ten single molecule replacements by my count with slightly different effects. There are also ambergris bases that replicate the tincture, usually proprietary blends from fragrance houses. Thankfully, I was able to turn to two talented perfumers for their help with synthetic ambergris replacements.

Pierre-Constantin Guéros Symrise

Pierre Guéros, Perfumer at Symrise, reminds us that “There are a lot of ‘ambery’ notes, that could go from vibrant ambery woody notes (very popular right now especially in masculine fragrances, like AMBROCENIDE©, NORLIMBANOL©, AMBERMAX© or KARANAL©, to woody, smoky leather ambery notes (derivates from cistus/labdanum like ambrein or hydrocarboresin) and finally the classical ambery – Guerlinade accord (coumarine, vanillin, cistus once again).” He further states that AMBRINOL© (AMBRINOL S© from Symrise) is a key substitute for the ambergris tincture with its marine and animalic note”.

Rodrigo Flores-Roux SR VP of Givaudan-Fine Fragrance

In a phone conversation Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Vice President of Perfumery at Givaudan, used his deep knowledge of the art to help me to understand the complexity of ambergris. He first pointed out that perfumers have many points of recognition when they smell ambergris—some may get the animalic note, some tobacco, some iodine, and some the woody aspect; the descriptor ‘elephant-like’ seems to come up with some frequency as well. He further states that the perfume industry has approached the amber chemical with relish, creating a lot of ambergris replacements. These include AMBERMAX©, which he describes as a ‘driving, piercing, elegant dry wood note’ that is apparent throughout the evolution of the perfume.

Ambrox© and Ambrinol© are used to capture the smell of real ambergris

AMBROCENIDE© also goes through from top to bottom like ‘an elegant shimmering dagger.’ Then there is AMBER EXTREME© from IFF that pulsates in the center of the perfume and helps fill in for woody notes. For natural replacements, he likes to look at the effect of clary sage with woody materials but also recognizes the very clear tobacco association. Perhaps also tiny amounts of everlasting and other animalic or patchoulic ingredients.

Waiting for The Light David Jay Spiker ©

The magic of time and sea takes ambergris that is animalic and fecal, rounds and softens the edges, putting them in the background and adds the beauty of the sea and the sun. Iconic ambergris brings seaweed, fine woods, tobacco, incense, clary sage, musk, oceans and waters, radiant florals, salt, amber, and wine together in one mysterious and humble package.

Elise Pearlstine, Editor and Perfumer for Tambela

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief, Special thanks to Pierre Gueros and Rodrigo Flores-Roux for their insights especially into the synthetics used to capture “ambergris” and to JK for the amazing photos of real  beach found ambergris.

WORLDWIDE: Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) A fresh fougere 50ml Parfum Extrait  beach found Ambergris

WORLDWIDE: Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris tincture All Natural (Mandy Aftel)

WORLDWIDE: DSH Perfumes “Animalic, sexy and salty Rendez Vous” mini flask Eau de Parfum (Dawn Spencer-Hurwitz)photo does not represent a mini flask

WORLDWIDE: The Rising Phoenix Group a  mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tincture @10%Procured from the Indian Ocean Aging since 2011(J.K.DeLapp) All-Natural

WORLDWIDE: Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural 5 ml (Irina Adam) Inspired by Winter Walks on the beach

USA ONLY: Anya’s Garden Fairchild –All Natural 4ml (Anya McCoy) Floral-Marine-Chypre

USA ONLY: JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum 5 ml travel sprayer. Opulence has vintage ambergris tinctured in organic grape alcohol.

To be eligible for our Ambergris in perfumery draw, please be sure to register if you have not done so. Also your choices must include at least one Indie and one all-natural ambergris perfume (note all ambergris perfumes above contain real ambergris). You must be registered and you must use your user name or your entry is invalid. Please leave a comment with what you learned about Ambergris in perfumery along with your choices, and where you live. Draw closes 3/12/2016

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

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63 comments

  • When I was first learning about different fragrance materials, this article would have saved me so much confusion! There was not much information about ambergris as opposed to amber resin and labdanum and the difference between them all. Fascinating!
    If I were to win I would love DSH Rendezvous, Dusita Issara or all natural Aftelier Fragrance Kit.
    I am in Australia

  • I learned of the interesting journey of the sharp beaks of the cuttlefish. For my choices they would be: 1. DSH Rendez Vous, 2. Parfums Dusita Isaara, 3. Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & the Sea. USA

  • Fascinating article. I have been intrigued by ambergris since I’d first heard of it (of all places) on a food show where it was served. Not sure I’d want to eat it but would love to smell the real thing. A bigger dream would be find a big chunk of it washed up on the beach 🙂
    If I were lucky enough to win I’d love to try the Aftelier Fragrant Companion kit, or the DSH Perfumes Rendez Vous and perhaps most exciting the Rising Phoenix ambergris tincture. I would have a little sniffing party with my perfume friends.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Thanks for this informative article! Ambergris is, of course, a source of fascination for its elusiveness and for the nuanced qualities it brings to various scents! I just recently learned about the front end-vs-back end debate lately…I’d always thought of it as “whale vomit” until then. What I hadn’t known before, though, was the number of synthetic ambergris aromachemicals, and how each might emphasize a different aspect of it. And how much a “clary sage” facet is part of the substance overall. Very interesting! If I won, I’d be bowled over with delight to get Issara (a new favorite scent), or Rendez Vous, or the Rising Phoenix tincture. Thanks so much for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • Fascinating article – I’ve always thought of ambergris as being whale vomit, but it seems like it might be more probable that it comes from the other end. Fascinating how something so vile can turn into such a treasure. I have never smelled ambergris and I’m so curious to try it out and see what the centuries of fascination with this ingredient is.

    My choices would be:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    The Rising Phoenix Group mini vial of Silver/White Ambergris Tincture (natural)
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit (natural)
    JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum (indie)

    I live in the USA…. thanks for the interesting article.

  • Great article, Elise! I’m going to re-read it. So much information and so clear. Thank you! DNEM though.

  • Ambergris truly is a mysterious and humble package. The photos (and beautiful artwork) in this article capture the magic of ambergris in perfumery. It’s fascinating, even miraculous, that ambergris can age for so long as 100 years. I dearly love the smell of the seaside. The air and water, salt and sand, all of these combined are intoxicating, and are especially precious when captured in a bottle.

    I would dearly love to smell Issara or Vanilla & the Sea. I am in the US. Many thanks to Elise for this fragrant education and also to the generous perfume creators and CaFleureBon for the exciting draw.

  • Interesting read and great article! Real ambergris is something I have never tried, only read of. It’s more like a legend. I would love to see how it smells in its’ raw form.. if I were to win, I would like to win the Fragrant Companion Kit.

    I live in Europe, thanks!

  • I have a fantasy that I will find a huge chunk of ambergris on some seashore. I do have a small chunk of it. I love the smell. It is subtle and salty. I never heard the theory that a whale my die from the beaks, and thus, release raw ambergris. it is a distressing thought. I would love to own:
    DSH Rendevous or Anya’s Fairchild or JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum. I live in the USA.

  • ntabassum92 says:

    I had no idea that the whale dies at the time of ambergris expulsion – I didn’t know it was such a violent procedure, although I understand that it is completely natural and has nothing to do with mankind. I would choose:

    Issara
    Fairchild
    Opulence
    Vanilla & the Sea
    Rendezvous
    Fragrant: the Companion Kit
    the Rising Phoenix Group sample

    I am in the USA. Thank you for the generous draw!

  • 63k for a lb that is amazing . I love this article as I thought Amber and ambergris were the same. The Vomit vs poop argument is also interesting. The photos from Mr DeLapp are beautiful . I want to go beach combing ! I have Mandy Aftel’s book and refer to it often. The synthetic ambroxan and such was also informative cuts like a knife
    My choices are Issara, Rendez Vous and the mini vial tincture
    I live in the US

  • cardinalmind says:

    Thanks for the great and fascinating article! I love amber but have limited experience with ambergris scents. Here I am thinking its just whale vomit, but then the whale actually dies before it becomes the ambergris we know.
    If I would be given the chance I’d go for these:
    WORLDWIDE: Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) A fresh fougere 50ml
    WORLDWIDE: Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    WORLDWIDE: The Rising Phoenix Group a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris
    WORLDWIDE: Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural 5 ml (Irina Adam)
    I’m in the US but will be back to the Philippines soon.

  • I have read about ambergris in the past. At that time, it seems they couldn’t decide whether it was vomit or poop. I hoped for vomit. Now I find out it’s neither. It’s amazing how ambergris becomes a thing of beauty. I am in the USA.

    I would chose:
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Impressive and informative article. I came to know that ambergris is salty, almost dry, a bit oily and doesn’t smell sweet. Ambergris adds tenacity, radiance, sillage, lift, marine and woody notes, and a very special beauty to perfumes.
    My choice if I am announced as a winner:
    1) Parfums Dusita Issara
    2) Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    3) DSH Rendezvous
    4) The Rising Phoenix a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tuncture
    5) Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • I did not have an idea of the diversity of Ambergris and its synthetic replacements, so interesting! When chosen I certainly am interested in Dusita Issara, the Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit and also in that rising phoenix group vial. – Thanks so much from Switzerland!

  • marcopietro says:

    Great review! I am fascinated and surprised by the latest discoveries about the origin of ambergris.
    Vomit or feces, it’s amazing how in the vital processes are always present the less noble materials, although we try not to see and consider them. It’s not a romantic idea, but feces feeds flowers.
    My choices would be:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    I live in EU
    Thanks!

  • Wow, I had no idea that the real ambergris can be so expensive! Thank you for so interesting article. I live in the EU and my choices would be:

    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    DSH Perfumes Rendez Vous
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris

    Thanks for the draw!

  • fazalcheema says:

    This is quite an interesting article on Ambergris. I didn’t know its use has been banned even though I knew it is expensive and rare. Like Maurice Roucel said, it doesn’t make sense to ban it because whales are not harmed to obtain it. I have made a note of synthetic ambergris replacements for personal reference as well. My choices will be

    Dusita Issara
    Mandy Aftel Fragrant Companion Kit.

    I am in the US.

  • Wonderful article! I very like to read about perfume ingredients, and this one is one of the most interesting. I have learned so much new things about ambergris. I have never thought that ambergris could be even 100 years old. If I would win, my choices:
    – Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) A fresh fougere 50ml Parfum Extrait
    – Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris tincture
    – Rendez Vous” mini flask Eau de Parfum
    – Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    – The Rising Phoenix Group a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tincture
    Thank you very much for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • Richard Potter says:

    Best article I’ve read to date on ambergris. Rendezvous and Silver/white tincture for me.

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    I have sampled Issara and it is beautiful!
    Fairchild sounds great also!
    Rising Phoenix Group sounds like something interesting!

  • This is fascinating. I didn’t know that ambergris is a fecal material and that only two whale species produce it. It is also interesting to see how perfumers have used different chemical compounds to reproduce it. I would like to know how it’s beauty was first discovered since it looks like ordinary rocks on the beach! My choices are: Dusita Issara, DSH Rendez Vous, Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea or JoAnne Bassett Opulence edp. Thanks to all who made the article and generous offers possible, I’m in the US.

  • So complete and informative. There is so much information here. I have always read that read ambergris was from whale vomit but didn’t know it was from sperm whales and it propabllybid their waste material. It was also great to see perfumers explain the alternatives in perfume since ambergris is so rare
    I would love to win any of these lovely perfumes And tinctures that I am eligible for I live in Canada so that is all but Anya’s garden and Jo Anne Bassett which both sound lovely too

  • Thank you, Elise! This was such an informative and interesting article! This is the sort of thing which I come to Cafleurebon to read. I thought I was pretty informed about ambergris vs. amber, but I found I still had plenty to learn. And thank you for a great draw. I would love to have any of these. Top picks would be
    Issara, my favorite by Pissara Umivijani
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea
    DSH Rendezous
    Joanna Bassett Opulence

    Thank yuou for the article and the draw. USA

  • I learned from this article there is stinky black mass ambergris and beautifully curved silver ambergris. I appreciate the Maurice Roucel quote where he says, “It is a stupidity to forbid this material.” 🙂

    For the win: Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) A fresh fougere 50ml Parfum Extrait, DSH Rendevous, Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & the Sea, Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit

  • I have learned that ambergris is a very complex note that could go in different aspects.
    What I’d love to win:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit
    I live in Europe.

  • Awesome, a lumpy dark fecal matter found floating on the water called floating gold! I’m in….seriously interesting where and what some of these notes come from. I am so curious as to its scent in the fragrances.

    Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) A fresh fougere 50ml Parfum Extrait

    DSH Perfumes “Animalic, sexy and salty Rendez Vous” mini flask Eau de Parfum (Dawn Spencer-Hurwitz)photo does not represent a mini flask

    Anya’s Garden Fairchild –All Natural 4ml (Anya McCoy) Floral-Marine-Chypre

    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris tincture All Natural (Mandy Aftel)

    From the USA

  • Thanks for putting together all the bits and pieces of information regarding ambergris. I find the search for its synthetic replacement to be very interesting. How diverse is ambergris that one has to have some many different synthetics to mimic it. I would like: Parfumes Dusita Issara, Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea, DSH Rendezvous. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    Reading this article, I kept thinking ‘okay, okay, but what exactly does ambergris, all by itself, smell like…will I ever really know?’ And then I find out that I might have the chance to finally find out! I would love the chance to win either Dusita Issara or the Aftelier Fragrant Companion kit. I am in the US and I would like to thank everyone involved for the chance!

  • Didn’t really know ambergris until I smelled very vintage Dioressence. Up until then I wasn’t fascinated with the scent of synthetic ambergris, but the more I try the more I find that the artistic quality of some perfumers really captures the beauty of the raw material. Should I win I would love love Issara by Parfums Dusita, or Animalic by DSH.
    I live in the EU, Spain.

  • Ambergris always reminds me of the Bob’s Burgers episode where they find a washed up chunk of ambergris- an enigma of gross-great! I didn’t realize that whales die after passing the ambergris though 🙁 I thought they just passed it and then went on with their life. I can see why there’s tight regulations on it, hopefully to prevent unethical whale hunting. My choices are Dusita Issara, and Anya’s Garden Fairchild. In the USA. Very interesting article, thank you!

  • Thank you for clearing up that ambergris is a product from the lower intestines. I was wondering about that for some time now. I don’t think I have ever smelled the real thing. As for my choices: Dusita Issara, Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit or The Rising Phoenix Group Sikver/ white ambergris tincture. I live in the Netherlands, EU. Thank you!

  • I didn’t know that the Ambergris is produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It’s very interesting but very strange at same time. It smells fantastic and I love almost all fragrances that has Ambergris.

    I’d like to try:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural
    JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum

    USA
    THANK YOU!!!

  • I found it extremely interesting the descriptions of the compositions for replacement Ambergris. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have found a piece of Ambergris, actually my dog did! He came home from the beach clutching this piece of something and refusing to let it go. I thought it was a piece of old poop and he was having a fetish moment and was about to throw it away but something alerted me to the fact it was very unusual. After some prodding and smelling I realised he had found ambergris! I’m always eyes down now as we go on the beach. I can’t bring myself to use it however so I visit it and look longingly upon it. What a fabulous draw! My choices would be Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani) Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris,DSH Perfumes “Animalic, sexy and salty Rendez Vous” mini flask Eau de Parfum , Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural . Thank you! I’m in New Zealand and registered.

  • Musonda Mwewa says:

    Sounds really novice but I didn’t know there were synthetic alternatives for ambergris. And I love the Chinese folklore of dragon drool! Haha

    Though what could’ve been added to the article was how to pronounce, “ambergris”. I love silent, “s” pronounciation. Hehe

    Vanilla & The Sea
    Dusita Issara

    I live in Orange Connecticut

    Thanks

  • This was an extremely complex piece to write so thanks for reading everyone! From the origin to the fragrance to the pronunciation, there are many answers. I actually will say it both ways but the more common is probably ambergris with a silent ‘s’ rather than saying the ‘s’ at the end. I just wish everyone could, at some point in their life, get a sniff of good ambergris.

  • mariotgomez says:

    Thank you for the excellent article on one of my favorite notes in the perfume industry. No matter how much I may read about ambergris, I love the allure and mystery behind this ingredient.

    I would be honored to receive any of the lovey works featured, but if I had to choose one or two,

    Indie: DSH Rendevous
    Natural: Joanna Bassett Opulence

  • I knew that ambergris was kinf of “whales’s vomit”, but I have never smelled a real ambergris dilution… Amber is originally an accord of vanilla and labdanum, before the apparition of ambrox and other synthetics

    If I win, I would choose in the following order:

    1) Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    2) The Rising Phoenix a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tuncture
    3) Parfums Dusita – Issara
    4) DSH Rendez-vous
    5) Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea

    Many thanks! I live in the EU.

  • Such an interesting article! I had no idea there was a debate around the origin of this secretion, I always thought ambergris was the whale’s bile. Anyway, fascinating topic!

    I would love to have the chance to win Parfums Dusita Issara, or Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea.

    I live in Europe.

  • I have always been fascinated by the scent by the beach. It’s something raw and primal and liberating.
    I have wondered if I can one day find the real stuff in a beach.

    I will really really love to win

    Parfums Dusita Issara.
    Indie: DSH Rendevous
    Natural:Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris tincture

  • scentsible_gentleman says:

    This is a great opportunity to have chance to own/smell a fragrance with real ambergris. I’ve never smelled it or owned a fragrance that has it. I’m in the usa. Parfums Dusita Issara, DSH Perfumes Rendezvous and Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit.

  • acquiredtaste says:

    The Chinese legend about ambergris is fascinatng. Dragons sleeping on rocks that drool ambergris into the ocean? Maybe water dragons in Chinese mythology are actually whales.

    I live in Malaysia.

    My first choice is Parfums Dusita Issara, but I would also love to enter for Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit, DSH Perfumes Rendez Vous, and The Rising Phoenix Group a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tincture, and Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural 5 ml.

    Thank you

  • I had no idea that cuttlefish beaks might cause ambergris to form, the way a bit of grit in an oyster leads to a pearl. I’d be happy to win any of the prizes, but especially DSH Perfumes Rendez Vous, Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea, Joanne Bassett Opulence, and Anya’s Garden Fairchild. I’m in the US.

  • I hope someone puts ‘stinky and ephemeral’ on my tombstone. Such an interesting article! Mandy Aftel in her book talks about our attraction to certain smells that are usually classified as gross, like sex smells, rot, fecal smells, and the need to cover them up with more ‘polite’ ones. It reminds me of this ambergris story in that even the origin has been muddled a little to quell civilizations discomfort – because I guess whale vomit is better than the other option. I would love to try Dusita’s Issara and the all-natural Vanilla and the Sea. I live in Canada, thank you for the draw!

  • Thanks to the very informative post about ambergris. I knew about ambergris, but I got more details. I am still working on my nose to get ambergris note in the perfumes; not very good at that. If I win I would like to win these perfumes:
    – Parfums Dusita Issara
    – Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit
    – Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    – JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum

    Thank you again!

  • Elaine Richard says:

    I’ve been intrigued by ambergris ever since my father told me about it when I was a child. My father and grandfather would go digging for clams. They told me it was whale vomit. If I would be so blessed as to win, I would like 1. Rising Phoenix Ambergris tincture, 2. Anya’s Garden Fairchild, 3. Parfums Dusita Issara. Thanks so much for the draw! I’m in the USA.

  • Excellent informative post! I really enjoyed reading about the origins and myths especially about the Chinese legend that tells of dragons sleeping on rocks that drool ambergris into the ocean
    If I won, i’dlike,
    1) Parfums Dusita Issara
    2) Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    3) DSH Rendezvous
    4) Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural
    I’m in the UK

  • What an interesting read, more of this please 🙂 I love amber scents and while many things was already familiar to me, I didn’t know about the molecules responsible for the scent.

    As for the draw, I would like:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit
    Rendez Vous mini flask Eau de Parfum

    I live on Europe. Thank you for the article and the draw.

  • That was an interesting article to read and I have found out about the involvement of the cuttlefish in this procedure. And I knew if was very expensive but looking at the $63,0000 figure wows me again.
    What I’d like to win:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit
    I live in Europe.

  • Thank you for so fascinating story. The idea of protecting sperm whales by using the real ambergris sounds interesting and perhaps in a few years the regulations will change? I was not a fan of amber at first, but now I’ve learned to appreciate this note.
    My choices in case I win:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    DSH Rendez-vous
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea

    Thank you for the draw and greetings from Norway.

  • Miss Almond says:

    Ambergris is the most mysterious perfume ingredient, so I am happy I could extend my knowledge a little. I didn’t know about so many synthetic replacements.
    I would love to win:
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    DSH Rendezvous
    Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit containing Ambergris
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural

    I live in the EU, thanks 🙂

  • Poo or not, I love this note. I didn’t know that ambergris is so expensive, I guess this explains the pricez of some fragrances containing it – I would like to know if there are any perfumes (besides Anya’s Garden) available on the market which have the natural ambergris?

    Thank you for so interesting read. My choices would be Vanilla and the Sea, Issara or RendezVous or a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tincture.

  • doveskylark says:

    I love the idea that ambergris can be found on a beach. This article has inspired me to return to my beach combing ways, excited to think I could one day make an amazing discovery.
    My choices would be DSH Rendezvous
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Aftelier Kit
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea
    I live in the USA.

  • Thank you for this in depth post. Ambergris is indeed mysterious and I would love to smell it
    I live in USA
    My choices are
    Fragrant companion kit
    Dsh rendezvous
    Parfum dusita issara

  • An amazingly detailed and truly informative article! Thank you for the lovely lecture for I had no idea that ambergris come from whale vomit and even more probable that it comes from the other end of their lower intestine. I was fascinated by the idea that something of this quality like feces can be transformed with natures help into such a treasure. I would love to smell natural ambergris and see how it can transform a perfume into a masterpiece of high perfumery!
    My choices are the following:

    – Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani)
    – Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion kit
    – DSH Perfumes “Rendez Vous” mini flask
    – Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea –All Natural 5ml
    – The Rising Phoenix Group a  mini vial of Silver/White ambergris all natural

    I am a registered reader living in EU. Thank you for the lovely review and for the generous draw as well.

  • Great article. I’m a big fan of Ambergris and I feel it very appealing and I usually a fall in love with the scents. The house of Creed have Ambergris as a signature of most of their fragrances.
    I’d love to win:
    Parfums Dusita Issara (Pissara Umavijani)
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea
    Anya’s Garden Fairchild
    JoAnne Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum 5

    USA

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Great read! While reading, I wanted to have samples of all the synthetics named so I could match them and smell them myself. I also LOVED the photo of beach-found ambergris. What a treasure. I would love to win…
    Parfums Dusita Issara
    Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla and the Sea
    Joanne Bassett Opulence

    I’m in the USA. Thanks again for the great article!

  • Ambergris in perfumery is a fascinating tale. I learned so much about this substance that “The magic of time and sea takes ambergris that is animalic and fecal, rounds and softens the edges, putting them in the background and The magic of time and sea takes ambergris that is animalic and fecal, rounds and softens the edges, putting them in the background and adds the beauty of the sea and the sun the beauty of the sea and the sun.” live in the US and would choose Aftelier Fragrances Fragrant Companion Kit, Bassett Opulence Eau de Parfum, Phoenix Botanicals Vanilla & The Sea or The Rising Phoenix Group a mini vial of Silver / White Ambergris Tincture.

  • Very interesting article. I had no idea it was banned! I would love any of

    – Parfums Dusita
    – Aftelier Campanion Kit
    – Phoenix Botanicals
    – The Rising Phoenix Group

    I’m in CAnada and thanks for the draw

  • Robert Grundy says:

    Sadly with fewer whales left in the ocean Ambergris will become increasingly more valuable. I’m based in Papua New Guinea, and I’ve got around 60kg of small in seize picked up on the beach by children. Not sure if it’s Ambergris though it burns with a very pugnacious smell, and oily texture so I’m thinking must be related