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

*= Review over 5 years old, so may not be reliable

Pure Incense Connoisseur
Nepal Musk
June 2017 - Score: 46*

 

Om Brand Sweet Musk Incense Flora Sticks (M)
Jan 2025 - Score: 43↑

Ramakrishna's Kasturi Drop
Jan 2023 - Score: 43

Gokula Gaura Nepal Musk
July 2017 - Score: 36*

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

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

Ekom Kasturi (P)
Sept 2023   Score:  32 

 

Kasturi Aspiration (M)
Sept 2023 - Score: 31

Phoenix Import Egyptian Musk Resin 
April 2019 - Score: 30*

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

Pushkar Amber Kasturi (PM)
Jan 2025 - Score: 29

Balaji Musk (P)
Oct 2023 - Score: 28

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

Flourish Fragrance Indian Kasturi Natural (PM)
May 2024 - Score: 26 

 

Moksh Swarna Kasturi (P)
Jan 2022 - Score: 25↓

Haria Musk Dhoop Sticks (P)
Feb 2025 - Score: 24

Tulasi Egyptian Musk 
June 2018 - Score: 24*

GR Musk cones (P)
May 2018 - Score: 23*

Primo Incense Nepal Musk
July 2017 - Score: 22

Harmony Musk (P)
 Sept 2013 - Score 21*

SAC Musk (P)
Jan 2024 - Score: 21

Cottage Industries Heritage No. 13 Musk 
Jan 2020 - Score: 20*

Dolphin Musk (P)
 January 2015 - Score: 20*

HEM White Musk cones (P)
May 2018 - Score: 20*

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

Padmini Sai Kasturi (P)
April 2023 - Score: 18

HEM Precious Musk (P)
 Feb 2013 - Score: 08*

Reviews: 26 
Top Score: 46
Bottom Score: 08 
Top five: 41 

Average: 28 
Score: 35 

No longer available

Scores not included

Aargee Musk 
Dec 2015 - Score: 27* 

Ganesha Musk
 June 2013 - Score: 26*

***

Different Scents