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Civet Absolute

Q: Is Civet Absolute natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Natural: collected from perineal glands of caged civets. Practice ethically condemned. Synthetic civetone (CAS 542-46-1) is now standard..

NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD / animalic · musky · warm

Civet Absolute

Category	NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD
Subcategory	animalic · musky · warm
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Civettictis civetta (African Civet) / Viverra zibetha (Asian Civet)
Appearance	pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
Producing Countries	Ethiopia, India, Indonesia (historical; now mostly synthetic replacements)
Pyramid	Heart

Sharp, animalic, fecal-floral. Civet absolute from the African civet is initially repulsive, but at extreme dilution becomes warm, musky-floral, adding radiance to florals.

Scent
Terroir & Origins
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

At full strength: sharp, fecal. At extreme dilution: warm, musky, radiant, almost floral. The most dramatic concentration-dependent transformation in perfumery. Like adding a pinch of salt to dessert.

Evolution over time

Immediately

At dilution: warm musky-floral radiance

After a few hours

Subtle animalic warmth

After a few days

Persistent radiance modifier, invisible but essential

The Molecule — Manufacturers & Variants

Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.

The Full Story

Civet absolute is from the perineal gland of the African civet (Civettictis civetta). Undiluted: strong fecal odor. At extreme dilution (0.01%): warm, musky-floral radiance.

Key odorant: civetone, a macrocyclic ketone. Also contains skatole and indole. The concentration-dependent transformation is one of perfumery's most dramatic phenomena.

Natural civet virtually abandoned due to animal welfare concerns. Synthetic civetone has replaced it.

This note in Première Peau. Doppel Dänçers · Albâtre Sépia. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Aldambre · Ambrarome · Ambrein · Ambreine · Ambrettolide · Ambronova · Ammonia · Animal Notes

Did You Know?

Did you know?

The word civet comes from Arabic zabad. The material was once more valuable than gold by weight. Modern perfumers have largely replicated its effect with synthetic civetone.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Natural: collected from perineal glands of caged civets. Practice ethically condemned. Synthetic civetone (CAS 542-46-1) is now standard.

↑ See Terroir & Origins for origin-specific methods.

Molecular Formula	N/A — complex natural secretion (key odorant: civetone C₁₇H₃₀O)
CAS Number	68916-26-7
Botanical Name	Civettictis civetta (African Civet) / Viverra zibetha (Asian Civet)
IFRA Status	Restricted. Natural civet is subject to CITES restrictions and animal welfare regulations. Many countries prohibit its use; synthetic alternatives preferred.
Synonyms	CIVET TINCTURE · CIVET PASTE · AFRICAN CIVET ABSOLUTE
Physical Properties
Lasting Power	400 hour(s) at 20.00 %
Appearance	pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
Flash Point	> 200.00 °F. TCC ( > 93.33 °C. )

In Perfumery

Base note and radiance modifier at extreme dilution. Contains civetone (macrocyclic ketone). At trace levels contributes warmth and radiance to florals. Natural material largely abandoned for ethical reasons. Synthetic civetone available.