The new batch of ambergris tincture is now ready!
Ambergris (Ambra grisea, Ambre gris, ambergrease, or grey amber) is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish color, with the shades being variegated like marble. It possesses a peculiar sweet, warm, earthy odour. Now largely replaced by man-made molecules such as Cetalox, it is occasionally still used as a fixative in luxury perfumery.
Ambergris can be found floating upon the sea, or in the sand near the coast. Because lumps of ambergris with embedded beaks of giant squid have been found, scientists have theorized that the whale's intestine produces the substance as a means of facilitating the passage of hard, sharp objects that the whale might have inadvertently eaten. Ambergris can be found in the Atlantic Ocean; on the coasts of Brazil and Madagascar; also on the coast of Africa, of the East Indies, mainland China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand and the Molucca islands.
From 1972 until 2001, it was prohibited to buy or sell ambergris in the U.S. In 2001, however, ambergris was ruled to be not a by-product of the whaling industry, because the whale expels this substance naturally, and it must “cure” by floating in the ocean for many years before it becomes the substance prized for perfumery.
The Perfumer’s Apprentice was lucky to purchase a quantity of ambergris found on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We have made a tincture out of part of it, which has been maturing for over 6 months. We are quite pleased now to be able to offer it to you!
You can purchase this tincture for a limited time only.
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