Ambergris

Ambergris (from the French "grey ambergris") has an animal origin, when this substance is formed in the body of the whale Physeter macrocephalus, it is apparently a pathological product of metabolism, like stones in the digestive system. It is therefore a secretion that is produced in the digestive system of this species of sperm whale. It is possible that Ambergris exists due to the action of the sharp beaks of the cuttlefish, which the sperm whale feeds on and irritates its digestive system. The excrement floats into the sea only after the whale dies. Freshly ejected matter has a strong fecal odor and is worthless in perfumery. However, the gray-black "tuft" floats on the ocean for several years and, under the influence of the sun, air and sea, oxidizes, changes its color to yellow, orange, or amber, and hardens. The older pieces that float like this are then collected on the surface (on the cliffs) and it is these aged pieces that are very expensive components of perfumes.         

Description: Ambergris has a different and hard-to-describe smell (depending on the type and age) and adds animal, salty, marine, hay and sweet tobacco notes to perfumes. However, it may not be present in the fragrance at all (in that case it serves purely as a fragrance stabilizer). Perfumers also work with 60-year-old tinctures. Ambergris is a pheromone that resembles the scent of a woman, as well as musk, civet and castoreum. It is highly valued for its aphrodisiac, medicinal and aromatic effects and has been used since ancient times.