Castoreum

Animal, pervasive, wet animal fur, leather, smoky, tar.

Pervasive, animal and intensely smoky, castoreum seduces with its divine fixative qualities—blending into prestige perfumes and enhancing chypre, ambery, leather, amber and woody notes. Its powerful, fixative qualities are revered for their resistance to evaporation: tying smooth, deep facets to fragrances with an unmatched longevity. Its leathery facets evokes deep, smoky nuances, with some subtle hints lending toward fruity notes of plum or dried fruits.

Data sheet

Type
Extraction Method
Used parts

Production

Typically replaced by synthetic compositions today, castoreum has historically been sourced from beavers across North America and Russia. The remarkable fixative is actually a secretion stored in the glands (or pouches) of both male and female beavers, and is situated between the hind legs. Beavers naturally produce the oily substance as a sort of waterproof coating that protects their fur while also allowing them to mark their territory. To extract the coveted substance, the pouch is processed with volatile solvents to obtain resinoids and absolutes.