For the ones who remember the amazingly sweet Ambergris White Gold of 2006, when Agarscents Bazaar introduced the collection of Ambergris Essences, we are pleased to offer yet another most uniquely luscious ambergris - the fiercely addicting Ambergris Reddish Brown.
The Reddish Brown is so smooth, deeply earthy, yet with an oceanic-animalic freshness that is so Ambergrissy... the rich complex aroma with the underlying velvety muskiness that lingers on the skin makes you want to go back for another whiff again... and again... and again. The warm ambery color depicts the comforting, inviting essence beautifully - the Ambergris Reddish Brown is a Classic in the making, a true must-have for the Ambergris Connoisseur.
WHAT IS AMBERGRIS
Ambergris (Ambre Gris, Grey Amber, Ambergrease, Ambra grisea) is an intestinal solid and flammable secretion produced by the male sperm whale. Giant squid, the favorite diet of sperm whales, contains indigestible beaks which irritate the stomach lining of the whale, causing it to secrete the waxy substance which serves to protect the digestive system of the whale and facilitate an easier passing of these hard objects. The ancient Chinese called Ambergris 'Lung Sien Hiang' (Dragon's spittle), as it was a commonly believed myth, that ambergris originated from dragons who were sleeping by the ocean banks and in the process drooled lumps of ambergris. In fact, when this sticky mass is expelled from the sperm whale, it is not as vomit, which is the common misconception, but as waste. Ambergris float is found in different shapes and sizes, and can be as small as 1/2oz (14g) or larger than 100lbs (45kg). The largest that has been found was over 1000lbs, picked up by whalers in 1908 in Larvik, Norway. At that time, this huge float was sold at only 23,000 British pounds - it's true value over 200,000 pounds - but saved the struggling whaling company from bankruptcy.
WHAT DOES AMBERGRIS SMELL LIKE
Ambergris has an unusual odor which is difficult to explain to anyone who has never had the pleasure of its sensual aroma. Ambergris is often described as being musky and having a sweet earthy aroma unlike any other, or a mossy fragrance reminiscent of the damp forest floor. Depending on the quality of the ambergris there can be a great variation in the fragrance. Fresh Ambergris can be found in two different types, black, sticky-soft and tar like, or as pale white soft lumps with black streaks. This precursor to matured ambergris has a strong fecal smell, the closest for comparison would be scented cow dung. Therefore, the common expectation is that ambergris is foul smelling, which is quite the contrary. After months, years or even decades in the ocean, the pungent odor will change beyond recognition because of photo-degradation and oxidation by sun and ocean water. It will harden, become crust-like and waxy, and take on a dark grey to black color. The pungent odor will change considerably and cure by becoming earthy, sweet, seaweed-seawater (marine) like, reminiscent of tobacco or musty old wood; animal musky with a peculiar sweet odor unique to ambergris. This peculiar sweet, rich earthy odor is sometimes compared to isopropyl alcohol without its stinging harshness, and it is also associated with the subtle sweet scent akin to babies' skin or the addictive oceanic misty-damp aroma that beach combing dreams are made of.
WHAT TYPES OF AMBERGRIS ARE THERE
Ambergris is found in different shades of white gray to black, and according to Jouhar (1991) there exists ten specific types of ambergris. The finest is pure white or silver grey, found in New Zealand, a golden and golden grey type can be found in North Africa and the Gulf of Aden. In Australia a pale yellow is common, a dark grey or black variety with golden striations is from the Azores. A dry and dark grey ambergris is found in the Persian Gulf, a dark reddish brown in Madagascar, whereas a hard black type can be found from all parts of the world.
WHERE CAN AMBERGRIS BE FOUND
Ambergris can be found floating in the waters or washed ashore onto the coast where the sperm whales reside; off the coasts of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, mainland China, Brazil, The East Indies, The Maldives and the Molucca islands, with the most ambergris collected for commercial use is found in the Bahama Islands and Providence Island. Since the demand of rare ambergris far outweighs the production - only a mere 1% of the male sperm whales produce ambergris - finding genuine ambergris washed ashore will soon be a thing of the past.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AMBERGRIS
The market price of ambergris depends on the type. Did you know that the most aged and valuable white ambergris is sold at $30/gram, whereas darker and less oxidized ambergris is offered at $10/gram? Fresh sticky blackened ambergris washed ashore is useless and cannot be sold, and is best thrown back into the ocean to give it a chance to cure and become valuable.
WHEN DID THE AMBERGRIS TRADE BEGIN
There are records showing that ambergris was a traded commodity in North West Africa before the 9th Century. Al-Masudi, a famous Arab traveler and author, reported from his travels about Arabian inhabitants who would train their camels to find ambergris on the Indian Ocean coast. In the 10th Century he told stories about how sailors believed ambergris originated from and grew in the ocean like mushrooms and would end up on the beach after great storms. From the African and Arabian coast line, ambergris ended up in Europe along with other Eastern commodities from the Silkroad trade and in the 15th and 16th Centuries it was worth more than its weight in gold or precious stones. According to Leo Africanus the value of ambergris in Fes, Morocco, was 60 ducats/lb, compared to the price of a camel which was
WHAT ARE THE USES OF AMBERGRIS
Ambergris has been used for centuries, and its use can be found within medicine, perfumery as well as in art and fine cuisine.
During the Renaissance period, Ambergris was one of the treasured commodities brought into Europe from the East to satisfy the high demands of royalty and noble men. Since ambergris was a very pricey commodity, it was available only to the prominent in society, for their culinary or perfumery needs. The favorite dish of King Charles II of England was said to be Eggs with Ambergris, and there are records showing that Louis XV used ambergris as food flavoring as well. Ambergris is still a culinary delight for flavoring of delicatessen, and can be found in exquisite chocolate and candy recipes even to this date. In Morocco ambergris is used to flavor tea - a small piece of ambergris float set into the inner lid of the teapot will flavor the steaming tea water for years.
The medicinal quality of Ambergris has been well recorded as well. Women used ambergris for fertility treatments, where it is considered as potent as any fertility drug. During the time of the Black Death in Europe, people used to carry with them a ball of ambergris as it was believed this would prevent them from getting the plague. It was also used as a medication for headaches, epilepsy and colds. In the Middle East it was used to treat heart and brain diseases, and to increase ones strength and virility.
The ancient Egyptians burned ambergris as incense for ceremonies, to ward off foul odors and to perfume their bodies as well as calm their environment. The ambergris later became heavily used within perfumery, for fragrant waxes and creams. Besides the use of ambergris for its perfuming quality, it was also valued as a restorative and fixative for other scents, and helped create the radiant, lavish perfumes which were becoming increasingly popular in the West at the time. Queen Elisabeth I was said to use ambergris to scent her gloves. Molded, dried ambergris were formed into beads and worn as jewelry by the wealthy.
THE EXCLUSIVE AMBERGRIS SCENTS DESIGNED BY SHARIF LAROCHE FOR AGARSCENTS BAZAAR
Dhen Al Ambergris "White"
Dhen Al Ambergris "Gold"
Ambergris White Gold
Black Indian Ocean Ambergris
Some Mukhallats of Ambergris....
1786 Ambergris Occidentale
Indian Ocean Ambergris Rose Anatoli
Ambergris al Ambre
Ambergris Rose
Anbar al Rawha
Amwaj Al Behar
These are Original Scents by Sharif LaRoche, and the Compositions and Brand Names are Exclusives of Agarscents Bazaar, therefore any copies or knock-offs of the Originals cannot be compared to the value, high quality and complexity of scent profile of the Originals.
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