Wood Musk: Fragrance Profile

1. Overview

• Category: A fantasy accord rather than a single natural raw material.

• Composition: Created by blending woody notes (e.g., sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver) with musk molecules (synthetic musks such as galaxolide, ambrettolide, exaltolide).

• Note type: Base note (fixative, grounding, sensual).

2. Aroma Character

• Woody-musky, warm, soft, and sensual.

• Nuances:

  • Woody → dry, creamy, resinous, or smoky depending on woods used.

  • Musky → soft, clean, skin-like sensuality.

  • Powdery-sweet → when combined with sandalwood or amber.

  • Earthy & grounding → when paired with vetiver or patchouli.

• Compared to pure white musk → richer, deeper, more textured.

3. Key Components

• Musk molecules (Galaxolide, Helvetolide, Ambrettolide, Exaltolide).

• Woody notes (Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Agarwood).

• Sometimes accented with amber, resin, or balsamic notes for warmth.

4. Perfume Applications

• Common in modern niche perfumery for sensual yet grounded compositions.

• Roles:

  • Base accord → provides longevity and depth.

  • Signature style → clean but woody sensual trail.

  • Bridging note → harmonizes florals, fruits, and resins with woody-musk undertones.

• Blends well with:

  • Floral hearts → rose, jasmine, iris.

  • Fruity tops → peach, pear, bergamot.

  • Resins & ambers → frankincense, labdanum, tonka bean.

  • Other musks → sweet musk, white musk for layered sensuality.

5. Mood & Symbolism

• Represents strength with softness, earthly sensuality, and modern elegance.

• Mood impressions:

  • Grounded & warm.

  • Clean but deep.

  • Sensual, intimate, and lasting.

Quick Summary Table

In essence: Wood Musk is a modern musky-woody accord—marrying the warmth of woods with the clean sensuality of musks, often used as a luxurious and long-lasting base in both men’s and women’s fragrances.