Well, “The Art of Perfumery” by George William Septimus Piesse (1857) has some info on Deer Musk.
It says Russian musk is the lowest quality, in contrast to the folks using it today and often claiming it’s the best. I think it depends on what you’re after, the better quality musk seems LESS animalic to me, and more gauzy, more ethereal, and adds less of it’s own character while having a better pure musk effect.
It says Russian musk is the lowest quality, in contrast to the folks using it today and often claiming it’s the best. I think it depends on what you’re after, the better quality musk seems LESS animalic to me, and more gauzy, more ethereal, and adds less of it’s own character while having a better pure musk effect.
The thought deer musk wasn’t used as @thesacredsaguaro describes is historically inaccurate as far as I can tell. However, it was out of style at that time, but George says most everyone prefers musk if they don’t know it’s used.
I’m not claiming to be any sort of expert on what vintage perfumes used real deer musk, I have no idea on that one, if anyone knows for certain I’d be interested to hear. I find it very difficult to believe Guerlain never used deer musk, claims like that require the presentation of proof, and if that can’t be provided, it’s likely fantasy.
