Antonio Mcgowan
Civet is a yellowish, paste-like substance secreted by the perineal glands of the civet cat, which is used as a base note in perfumery. In its pure form, civet has a strong, putrid, and almost nauseating faecal smell. However, when diluted, it loses its aggressive character and contributes a warm, sensual, and animalistic musk to fragrances, especially florals. Civet is known for its exceptional fixative properties and evocative qualities, adding radiance and warmth to perfumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Odor | Fecal, honey-like, musky, sweet, aromatic, warm, floral, pungent, carnal, heavy, animalistic, sensual, putrid, nauseating, raw, seductive, mesmerising, radiant, milky, ripe, beer-y, provocative, soft, abstract, baby vomit, faecal-acidic |
| Odor when diluted | Warm, sensual, radiant, sweet, aromatic, musky, pleasant, inviting, soft, abstract |
| Odor when undiluted | Overpowering, nauseating, putrid, obnoxious, strong, repulsive, aggressive |
| Odor description | Like cat pee, like a person who soiled themselves, like bad breath, like baby vomit, like a newly-filled baby diaper, like breast milk |
| Odor concentration | 2.5% to 3.4% civetone |
| Odor perception | Changes with dosage |
| Source | Secretion from the perineal glands of the civet cat, an animal that resembles a cat but is more akin to a possum |
| Source location | Africa, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia |
| Source controversy | Civets are kept in cages on farms |
| Synthetic reproduction | Yes |
| Use in perfumes | Chanel's Coco Chanel, Lanvin's Lanvin Homme, Givenchy's Monsieur de Givenchy, Dior's Diorissimo, Shalimar, Opium, Ungaro II, Eau d'Hermès, Jicky, Bal à Versailles |
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What You'll Learn
Civet is a natural secretion of the civet cat, used to mark territory
Civet is a natural secretion of the civet cat, used to mark its territory. It is a yellowish, soft, almost liquid, paste-like substance produced by the animal's perineal glands. The African civet, large Indian civet, and small Indian civet are among the species that secrete civet oil. In its natural form, civet has a strong, putrid, and nauseating faecal odour. However, when diluted, it loses its aggressive character and transforms into a warm, sensual, and animalistic musk. This diluted form is commonly used in perfumery, adding depth and radiance to floral and oriental fragrances.
Civet has been utilised in perfumery for centuries, with its use dating back to 10th-century Arabic perfumers. Its exceptional fixative properties, tenacity, and evocative qualities make it a popular ingredient among perfumers. When used in small amounts and diluted, civet contributes a pleasant and sweet aroma to fragrances. It is known to enhance floral notes, making them more luscious and indolic. Civet is often used as a base note in perfumes, providing a strong and heavy animal-like scent reminiscent of wild animals.
The perception of civet's odour can vary depending on its dosage. Some describe it as having honey-like or sweet notes, while others find it off-putting, resembling the smell of baby vomit or faeces. In its concentrated form, civet is extraordinarily powerful and obnoxious, likened to the smell of cat pee. However, when diluted and blended by skilled perfumers, it takes on a lustily musky and inviting character.
Due to ethical concerns and the capture conditions of civet cats, the majority of perfumes now use synthetic reproductions of civet. Civetone, a compound found in the glands of civet cats, is used to synthetically create the animalic notes that characterise civet. This synthetic version allows perfumers to continue utilising the unique qualities of civet while avoiding the controversial sourcing methods of the past.
Civet is a versatile ingredient, blending harmoniously with various olfactory families. It can be found in oriental perfumes, as well as floral, woody, chypre, or citrus fragrances. Its ability to combine with different notes makes it a valuable component in perfumery. Civet has been described as adding a carnal, sensual, and raw sexy character to compositions, making it a popular choice for seductive and charismatic fragrances.
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The odour is strong and pungent, with faecal notes
Civet is a yellowish, paste-like substance that is secreted by the civet, an animal that resembles a cat. It is produced by the civet's perineal glands and is used by the animal to mark its territory. In its natural form, civet has a strong, pungent odour with faecal notes. Some have described the smell as "nauseating" and "repulsive".
The odour of civet is so strong and distinctive because of the chemical civetone, which is present in the secretion at a concentration of between 2.5% and 3.4%. Civet also contains other ketones, such as cyclopentadecanone and cyclohexadecanone, which contribute to its unique smell.
When used in perfumery, civet is heavily diluted, which significantly alters its odour. The dilution process transforms the aggressive, pungent odour into something more pleasant and inviting. The diluted civet takes on a warm, sensual, and musky character, adding depth and radiance to floral and oriental fragrances.
While the use of natural civet in perfumery has declined due to ethical concerns and the shift towards synthetic alternatives, it is still sought after for its exceptional fixative properties and its ability to enhance and transform other fragrance notes. Skilled perfumers can harness the unique qualities of civet, showcasing its versatility and allure.
In conclusion, the odour of civet is undeniably strong and pungent in its natural form, with distinct faecal notes. However, through dilution and the expertise of perfumers, it can be transformed into a captivating and sensual element in fragrances, adding warmth and depth to the overall composition.
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When diluted, it becomes sweet and aromatic
Civet, a secretion produced by the civet cat, is a popular ingredient in perfumery due to its exceptional fixative properties and evocative qualities. In its natural form, civet has a strong, heavy, and fecal odour, which some have described as ""nauseating". However, when diluted, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, becoming sweet and aromatic.
The process of dilution tames the aggressive character of civet, mellowing its sharp woody notes and lending a warm, sensual, and inviting aspect to fragrances. It adds a layer of depth and complexity, enhancing the overall perfume experience. The diluted form of civet is commonly used as a base note in oriental and floral perfumes, blending harmoniously with vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and spicy elements.
The art of dilution allows perfumers to harness the unique qualities of civet while tempering its intensity. Through skilled blending, the once overpowering scent becomes a subtle and seductive whisper, adding a hint of animalistic musk to the fragrance. This technique not only makes the scent more appealing but also enhances its longevity and diffusion, ensuring the perfume lingers elegantly on the skin.
The perception of civet's odour is highly dependent on its dosage. When used sparingly, civet imparts a subtle honey-like sweetness, softening the composition and adding a touch of sensuality. In higher concentrations, civet's fecal and animal-like notes become more pronounced, evoking the wild and untamed. Perfumers must therefore exercise precision and expertise in their use of civet to strike the perfect balance.
Diluted civet, with its warm and musky nuances, has been a key ingredient in iconic perfumes such as Chanel's Coco Chanel and Dior's Diorissimo. It is the secret behind the lingering allure of these timeless fragrances, adding a touch of raw sexiness and charisma to their floral and oriental accords.
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Civet is used as a base note in perfumes, adding warmth and radiance
Civet is a yellowish, paste-like substance that is secreted by the perineal glands of civets, which they use to mark their territory. In its natural form, civet has a strong, pungent, and fecal odour. However, when diluted, it loses its aggressive character and contributes a warm and radiant aspect to fragrances.
Civet is commonly used as a base note in perfumes due to its exceptional fixative properties and its ability to enhance other notes. When diluted, civet takes on a sweet and aromatic character, adding warmth and radiance to floral and oriental fragrances. It is particularly effective in softening sharp woody notes and enhancing honey-like sweetness in floral perfumes.
The use of civet in perfumery dates back to the 10th century when Arabic perfumers discovered its potential. However, due to ethical concerns and the capture conditions of civets, the majority of perfumes now use synthetic versions of civet, known as civetone. This synthetic reproduction captures the warm and radiant qualities of natural civet while eliminating the aggressive fecal notes.
Civet is known for imparting a sensual and carnal character to fragrances. It is often described as adding a "raw sexiness" to perfumes, making it a popular ingredient in seductive and oriental scents. When used in small amounts, civet can enhance the perception of a fragrance, making it more diffusive and evocative.
Overall, civet is a versatile ingredient that adds depth and complexity to perfumes. Its ability to transform from a strong and pungent odour to a warm and radiant note makes it a valuable tool for perfumers. By using civet as a base note, perfumers can create long-lasting fragrances that exude warmth and sensuality.
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It is commonly found in oriental and floral fragrances
Civet is a yellowish, paste-like substance secreted by the perineal glands of the civet, an animal resembling a cat. In its pure form, civet has a strong, putrid, faecal odour. However, when diluted, it loses its aggressive character and adds a warm, sensual, animalistic musk to fragrances. Civet is commonly used in oriental and floral perfumes as a base note.
Oriental Fragrances
Civet is often used in oriental perfumes to create a warm and inviting scent. It blends well with woody notes such as cedar, sandalwood, and opoponax, as well as with amber. The combination of civet with these oriental notes results in a sweet, milky, or beer-like aroma. An example of an oriental fragrance that features civet is Shalimar, where it softens the sharp woody notes and adds a round, ripeness to the scent.
Floral Fragrances
Civet is also commonly used in floral fragrances, where it enhances the sweetness and radiance of the flowers. It works particularly well with floral notes that have a honey-like sweetness, such as rose. Civet adds a sensual, carnal aspect to floral compositions, making them more luscious and evocative. Diorissimo by Dior is an example of a floral fragrance that contains civet, blending it with fruity and oriental notes.
Fixative Properties
In addition to its distinctive odour, civet is also valued in perfumery for its exceptional fixative properties. It has a strong tenacity, allowing it to extend the longevity of a fragrance. This quality makes civet a versatile ingredient that can be combined with various olfactory families, including oriental, floral, woody, chypre, and citrus scents.
Ethical Considerations
Historically, civet was sourced directly from captive civets, leading to ethical concerns about the animal's capture and farming conditions. Today, most perfumes use a synthetic version of civet, known as civetone, which is created in a lab to mimic the odour profile of natural civet. This synthetic reproduction allows perfumers to continue using the distinctive scent of civet while addressing ethical concerns and ensuring a consistent supply.
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Frequently asked questions
Civet is a yellowish, paste-like substance that is secreted by the civet, an animal that resembles a cat. In its pure form, civet has a strong, putrid, faecal odour. However, when diluted, it takes on a sweet, musky, and inviting aroma, adding warmth and radiance to perfumes, especially florals.
Perfumers utilise civet for its exceptional fixative properties, tenacity, and evocative qualities. It is often used as a base note to balance and enhance other fragrances in a composition.
Civet is commonly found in oriental perfumes but can also be blended with floral, woody, chypre, or citrus notes. Some specific perfumes that contain civet include Chanel's Coco Chanel, Dior's Diorissimo, Lanvin's Lanvin Homme, and Givenchy's Monsieur de Givenchy.
Due to ethical concerns and the controversial capture conditions of civets, synthetic reproductions are primarily used in modern perfumery. The synthetic version, known as civetone, is created in laboratories to mimic the scent of natural civet.
While civet can enhance the sensuality and warmth of a fragrance, some people may find its animalic notes off-putting or unpleasant. Additionally, there have been concerns about the transmission of diseases, such as the SARS virus, associated with the civet animal.
