NEW YORK MUSK

New York Musk, a shared male-female scent. Of course musk comes with a longstanding reputation for being animalic, perhaps even an aphrodisiac or pheromone. Indeed, this costly ingredient was originally derived from the nocturnal male musk
deer that dwells in the upper reaches of the Himalayas and produces this powerful, pungent aroma to mark its territory during mating season. Highly diluted, musk can be quite versatile, sometimes evoking the honeyed aroma of freshly bathed skin, or a garden being tended in springtime, or chocolate, spicy curry, or intense passion. That chameleon quality is one of several reasons it is universally used in perfumes. Another is the balance, warmth, and sensuality it brings to the mix. In fact, musk is a uniquely able fixative, relied on to hold a scent together—particularly the volatile top-notes—and keep it from fleeing. For that reason, it typically operates as a base note.