BORTNIKOFF
MUSK COLOGNE

2019

PERFUMER
Dmitry Bortnikov

Tangerine
Orange
Lemon
Bergamot

Ylang-Ylang
Green Tea
Lily-of-the-Valley
Magnolia
Tuberose

Sandalwood
Guaiac Wood
musk

Straight from the opening you get a blast of citrus. It’s a combination of lemon and orange. It’s more acidic and refreshing than the thick, rind-like orange from Amber Cologne and I prefer Musk Cologne, mostly for this reason.

The two have a similar scent profile, but Musk Cologne feels a bit more subtle and it leaves the composition with more of a welcome room to breathe. Not only with the citrus, but also the white florals.

It doesn’t get as floral and creamy as Amber Cologne and instead adds the namesake musk in a nice dosage. Don’t expect a dark, heavy (deer) musk, like in some of Bortnikoff’s works; here it comes across like an almost zingy (body) heat. To me, Musk Cologne smells like a lemonade on a very hot day, out in nature. It’s sweet, yet fresh; transparent, yet tangible. Hence the insects in my visual representation below; when I smell Musk Cologne I picture bees, pollen & sun rays.

I love this as a choice for a Summer citrus that doesn’t smell light, airy and generic. I swapped out my Amber Cologne, because I planned on exploring it’s Musk and Oud counterparts in hopes of finding something that suited me more and Musk Cologne absolutely delivered.