Whale Vomit: The Smelly Truth Behind Your Cologne

Ambergris, commonly known as whale vomit, is a rare substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the sperm whale and is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead whales. It is often found floating on the ocean or washed up on coastlines. The substance is highly valued by perfume makers as a fixative, although synthetic alternatives are now mostly used. It is also used in cooking. The smell of ambergris has been described as a bouquet of 20-30 chemical compounds, including tobacco, grass, and hay.

Ambergris, the substance sometimes referred to as 'whale throw up'

Ambergris, sometimes referred to as 'whale throw up', is a rare substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the whale, and scientists believe it is produced to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects, such as giant squid beaks, that the whale has eaten.

Freshly produced ambergris has a marine, fecal odour, but as it ages, it acquires a sweet, earthy scent. This scent has been likened to isopropyl alcohol without the chemical astringency. It is this unique scent, along with its properties as a fixative, that has made ambergris so valuable to the perfume industry.

The process by which ambergris exits the whale is still debated. Some believe it is regurgitated, earning its nickname 'whale vomit', while others think it is passed like faecal matter. Another theory suggests that an obstruction in the whale's colon grows so large that it eventually ruptures the whale's rectum, resulting in the whale's death.

Ambergris is highly prized and has been valued at thousands of dollars per pound. However, it is extremely rare, and its collection and trade are banned in some countries, such as the United States, due to the endangered status of sperm whales.

The search for ambergris has led to the development of a dedicated group of 'ambergris hunters', who track weather patterns and ocean currents to predict where it might wash up. They guard their secrets closely and can be very protective of their trade.

How is ambergris formed in the whale's body?

Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the whale.

Sperm whales feed on large quantities of squid. Usually, the indigestible parts of their prey, such as the beaks and pens, are vomited out before digestion. However, in rare cases, these parts move into the whale's intestines and bind together, forming a solid mass of ambergris. It is believed that ambergris protects the whale's internal organs from the sharp beaks of the squid.

Over time, the mass of ambergris grows inside the whale and is eventually expelled. There are conflicting opinions on how it is expelled from the whale's body. Some believe that the whale vomits the mass, giving rise to its nickname, 'whale vomit'. However, others, like Richard Sabin, Principal Curator of Mammals at the Natural History Museum, suggest that it is passed like faecal matter. Some even speculate that an ambergris mass too large to be passed through the intestines may be expelled through the mouth, but this remains a subject of debate.

It is estimated that only about 1-5% of sperm whales produce ambergris, making it a rare and valuable substance.

Where is ambergris found?

Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is passed like faecal matter and can be found floating in the ocean or washed up on coastlines. It is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead sperm whales.

It is formed from a secretion of the bile duct in the intestines of the sperm whale. It is speculated that an ambergris mass too large to pass through the intestines is expelled via the mouth, but this remains under debate. Another theory states that an ambergris mass is formed when the colon of a whale is enlarged by a blockage from intestinal worms and the indigestible parts of their prey, such as the beaks and pens of squid, resulting in the death of the whale and the mass being excreted into the sea.

Sperm whales live all over the world, meaning deposits of ambergris could be found floating on any ocean or washed up on most shorelines. However, it is uncommon, found in less than 5% of whale carcasses.

Ambergris is found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and on the coasts of South Africa, Brazil, Madagascar, the East Indies, the Maldives, China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and the Molucca Islands. Most commercially collected ambergris comes from the Bahamas in the Atlantic, particularly New Providence. In 2021, fishermen found a 127 kg (280-pound) piece of ambergris off the coast of Yemen, valued at US$1.5 million.

It can be found in lumps of various shapes and sizes, usually weighing from 15 grams (1⁄2 ounce) to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) or more. When initially expelled by or removed from the whale, the fatty precursor of ambergris is pale white in colour (sometimes streaked with black), soft, and has a strong faecal smell. Following months to years of photodegradation and oxidation in the ocean, this precursor gradually hardens, developing a dark grey or black colour, a crusty and waxy texture, and a peculiar sweet, earthy, marine, and animalic odour.

How much is ambergris worth?

Ambergris, sometimes referred to as "whale vomit", is a solid, waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is rare, found in less than 5% of whale carcasses, and is often expelled from the whale, floating for years in the ocean before making landfall. It is highly valued by perfume makers as a fixative, although it has largely been replaced by synthetic alternatives.

The value of ambergris depends on its quality, with higher-quality substances fetching more than $27 per gram. The colour of the ambergris is indicative of its quality, with black ambergris being the least valuable, and white ambergris the most. The scent of ambergris also varies from sweet to musky, with its value increasing the longer it is exposed to the sea.

The rarity of ambergris, as well as its use in high-end perfumes, makes it extremely valuable. In 2021, a group of fishermen in the Gulf of Aden sold a 127-kg chunk of ambergris worth around $1.5 million. In another instance, a 15-pound piece of ambergris that washed up on the shore of Thailand was estimated to be worth $230,000.

Due to its high value, ambergris has also been used as a flavouring agent in food and drinks, such as Turkish coffee and hot chocolate in 18th-century Europe. It has also been used as incense, an aphrodisiac, and medicine in early Arab cultures.

Is it legal to trade ambergris?

Ambergris is a waxy, flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. It is sometimes found in the abdomens of dead sperm whales, or floating in the ocean, or washed up on coastlines. It is highly valued by perfume makers as a fixative, and has been used in cooking.

The legality of trading ambergris varies by country. In the United States, for example, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 prohibits the possession and trade of ambergris. In Australia, it is illegal under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999. In India, it is illegal under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

However, in the UK and the rest of the EU, it is legal to salvage and sell ambergris. This is because the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) considers it a waste product, like urine or faeces, and therefore not requiring coverage under the Convention.

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