Musk

The musk mallow

Musk has been a popular perfume ingredient for centuries. Originally it came from the pods (or testicles) of the male musk deer. The deer is now protected, and other substances are used, either natural from plants, or (more commonly these days) synthetic.  Indian incense makers once commonly used the crushed seeds of  the musk mallow plant, but these days they are more likely to use synthetic musk.

Musk deer pods

Musk has a a deep, earthy,  dark and sexual scent. It can be a bit heady and overpowering. It is best used in the evening or night, and is particularly suitable for the bedroom.

I like the smell of musk, but - as yet - I've not found a decent incense that conveys the scent. Because the scent is synthetic, perhaps the better quality incense makers don't use it. Also, it doesn't appear to be a popular scent in India, so it's use seems to be mostly confined to those scents that are made for export to the UK.

Reviews

Pure Incense Connoisseur
Nepal Musk
Score: 46

  

Om Brand Sweet Musk Incense Flora Sticks (M)
Feb 2024 - Score: 38

Gokula Gaura Nepal Musk
Score: 36

  

Rasbihari Lal Super Musk Hina (M)
March 2024 - Score: 36

Rasbihari Lal Special Radha Kasturi (M)
Mar 2024 - Score: 35 

Phoenix Import Egyptian Musk Resin 
Score: 30

Aromatika Ace Scents Musk (PM)
Dec 2024 - Score: 27↑↓  [Average: 30]

Balaji Musk (P)
Oct 2023 - Score: 28

BIC Almíscar (Musk) (P)
Oct 2023 - Score: 28 

Aargee Musk 
Score: 27 

Ganesha Musk
 Score: 26

Tulasi Egyptian Musk 
Score: 24

GR Musk cones
Score: 23

Primo Incense Nepal Musk
Score: 22

Harmony Musk
 Score 21

SAC Musk (P)
Jan 2024 - Score: 21

Dolphin Musk
 Score: 20

HEM White Musk cones (P)
Score: 20

Nikhil's Nature's Blessing White Musk (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 18

HEM Precious Musk
 Score: 8

Scents: 20 
Top Score: 46
Bottom Score: 8 
Top five: 38 

Average: 27 
Score: 33 

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Different Scents