Description
This listing is for the Musk-gland “paste” of the North American Muskrat-Ondatra zibethicus. It is a pure blend of Muskrat musk glands, with alcohol and salt as preservatives. It still needs to be kept refrigerated till there is sufficient alcohol present to preserve it. ( At least 15%).
This paste is used to prepare the alcohol tincture of Muskrat musk in the shop. It is a wonderful ingredient for perfume use and may be of benefit to incense makers. It is one of my favourite aromatic extracts and I never cease to sigh in gratitude and revel at its beauty each and every time I smell it.
I believe an oil-based perfume musk can be created from the alcohol tincture, however, one needs to make sure all fats are removed prior to an oil maceration.
To prepare a perfume, (or incense), tincture of Muskrat Musk, take 1 part Muskrat gland paste and blend with 5-10 parts alcohol @ 95%. ( I often use a ratio of 1:5 for a stronger tincture, but 1;10 can work equally well though a bit lighter in strength).
Let macerate in a warmish spot for 4-6 weeks, filter through paper and your natural Musk tincture will be ready to use.
Like Civet or Ambergris tincture, Muskrat Musk tincture can transform a perfume blend in ways that an essential oil simply can’t. These animalic extracts add an extra dimension, a spark, and extra facet to blends that is often difficult, (for me), to describe. Muskrat tincture also acts as a fixative in aromatic blends, helping to anchor more fleeting notes and extend their longevity.
The fragrance of Muskrat Musk has been eloquently described by one of my customers as follows, ” It is slightly sweet, mellow, floral, ambiguous, oscillating between urine/fecal side and cashmeran-y soft almost wool-like scent, exactly how a musk should be”.
Animal musk has been a vital part of perfumery for centuries. it is used to add sensuous animalic and arousing aphrodisiac elements in our creations. Many musks are considered base notes and fixatives in perfumes. They transform botanical perfumes, add extra dimension and a sense of “Down and dirty” or “Sweet and sultry” and often an extra heart-skip.
There are a number of animals around the world that produce similar musk fragrance compounds.
Among them, the Musk Deer, Musk crocodile, the musk ox, the musk duck and of course, the Musk Rat.
These animals were trapped for their fur and much of this material goes to waste.
“The Musk Rat or Ondatra zibethicus in Latin is native to North America. Its specific name zibethicus means ‘musky’, being the adjective of zibethus ‘civet musk; civet’, or Civet-like in Latin. The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra, and entered New Latin as Ondatra via French”.(Wikipedia).
Musk Rat Musk lends a soft warm animalic note to perfumes. It is a wonderful addition to floral, Fougere and other perfume blends.
Musk Rat Musk adds an extra dimension to perfume blends and enlivens them. Though a high % of Musk Rat Musk tincture can be used in a perfume blend, even a small amount will impact a composition.
Should we use animal products in our food, cosmetics and aromatic materials? I have found there is no universal answer that suits us all.
I believe that only by engaging and cultivating our own intimate and personal relationship with Nature, can we plot our own path and divine our own code of ethics. Only then can we be responsible and responsive to Nature’s needs, true to ourselves, and make informed choices that ultimately affect us all globally.
Dan
————————————————–What customers have said about this product—————————————————-
“This has amazing potential to be utilized in a similar fashion as the nitro musks from the 1970’s. Very beautiful, and I can’t wait to start working with it! Quickly shipped, and well packaged for safety! Thank you :)” A.F.
“A wonderful dark animalic smell of dark Swiss Chocolate (Lindt und Sprüngli Excellence 90 %) only lightly sweet and in the background a hint of dark Oudh like Oudh Cambodi. Good for people how think that musk (real and artificial) is too sweet for them and not animalic enough.” R.J.K.
“Remarkable stuff ,primordial, a hairy handed gent”
” The aroma is incredible. Falls somewhere between the “skank” of civet and the leather & fruit of castoreum. Has a unique effect on perfumes.”
“Shipped quickly..superior quality! Thank you
Ila Cassin –
I received my order quickly, and I’m excited to see how the tincture turns out. There was a little sample of the muskrat glands in oil, and as someone who is new to animalic notes in fragrance/perfume, it smelt amazing!! Looking forward to exploring the other products in this store!
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Karson Heidenreich –
I have been a customer of Dan’s since 2016. The quality is always there, always top of the top, always consistent, and I always come back. Dan is the best. And welcome Faye!
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Electa Hessel –
Another fantastic product from Dan – the explorer of ancient and exotic fragrances and secret perfume ingredients. Animal gravity mixes with floral tones and together creates a marvelous complement to exotic and oriental fragrant combinations.
Quality is top notch as usual, possibilities of processing are endless, which is another advantage of this shop.
Services are again at high level – Dan or Faye are immediately ready to advice or help and answer questions.
Not to mention that Dan always adds something extra – a small gift or more than generous amount of ordered product. In short it is one of a few shops which deserves 10 out of 5 stars from me.
The shop where you can look forward to new and so far undiscovered fragrant jewels all the time.
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Llewellyn Powlowski –
This is by far the most delightful experience right out of the jar. Animalic, slight note of raw meat, delicate, lightly sweet, soothing, opening… this is a must have for anyone looking to expand their olfactory experience. A beautiful musk.
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Llewellyn Powlowski –
Amazing, high quality, and beautiful perfumery items. Re-occurring client 🙂 Keep up the great work!!!
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Lina Greenholt –
Dan delivers the goods every time and I'll be back for more of the offerings!
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Marisa Buckridge –
This is great but I have to keep this in the refrigerator. Not sure others in my house approve!!!
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Berry Becker –
Where else… seriously. This product is well packed and is now swimming in ethanol becoming a unique, slightly sweet musk. Completely unusual and authentic.
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Alfreda Johnson –
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Jazlyn Batz –
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