AFFINESSENCE
MUSC AMBRE GRIS

2017

Ambergris
Black Musk
Truffle
Patchouli
Mate
Vetiver

Affinessence is one the higher quality brands in both scents and presentation, and with the introduction of their 50ml bottles in 2022, they are actually decently priced for what you get, so I was looking to try more of them.

Musc Ambre Gris is one I’d been curious about for a while now and I have to say, it’s worth the curiosity, albeit not something I’d ever consider getting myself.

This is not for the faint of heart. I’ve never smelled actual pure ambergris, but I do have a solid perfume ingredient version of it from Les Indemodables Grand Cru box and have smelled the real deal in a handful of fragrances; I’d say Musc Ambre Gris does a good job coming close to that scent in its opening.

Picture a skanky aquatic, slightly spiced scent, but it has a subtle sweetness as well (think more so anise sweetness, than vanilla or sugar). It’s slightly inky to me. I don’t find it overly animalic at all, but it has an interesting edge to it. This only lasts briefly on my skin.

As it dries I get quite a bit of the vetiver from the base pushing through, giving it more of a green vibe, than a marine one. With a subtle spiciness throughout and perhaps more of the musky direction, but not necessarily sticking to the ambergris aspect too much. Overall, intriguing, but not the most enjoyable fragrance for me.