VVusk

415 VVusk

VVusk is a unique musk attar made with many exclusive materials, things that could only have been made with the help of kind people I have had the great fortune to encounter during my perfume journey.

VVusk is made with:

Papuan Vanilla Absolute obtained with help from Ramesh and Alex, made into an absolute by me.

Ethiopian Suke Quto Coffee Absolute, given from Lyz, made into an absolute by me.

Maduru Cigar Absolute made and given to me from Alex.

Civet Absolute made and given to me by Alex.

Aged Mongolian Deer Musk prepared by me.

Ornifolia Myrrh Absolute obtained with help from Alex and made into an absolute by me.

Guggul Myrrh Absolute obtained with help from Alex and made into an absolute by me.

Opoponax Absolute made by me

Somalian Myrrh Absolute made by me.

It also contains:

Kala Dhuma Bangladeshi Oud

Sandalwood Biolabsolute

Brown and White Ambergris

Venezuelan Tonka Bean Absolute

Premium Myrrh EO

Somalian Myrrh EO

Greenheart Wood EO

Cinnamon Bark Absolute

and a touch of Labdanum Absolute

This is a somewhat paradoxical attar, I initially set out to make a very clean, gourmand Vanilla Sandalwood attar, and it kept on track for a while, until I took another whiff of Alex's Maduru Cigar Absolute. It is one of the most animalic musky aroma's I have encountered in perfumery, it has a Civet-like feel, with a creamy dense smoky aroma, it was the perfect contrast to the clean bready aroma I initially had, so I dived in and experimented. Initially I felt like the clean aroma would be spoiled by such a wild untamed musk, but it worked so well, I felt addicted to applying it, and it has quickly turned into one of my all time favourites.

This already felt complete, but I had not even added a main oud note. The last material I added to this blend was a very nice 2019 Bangladeshi Kala Dhuma Oud. It has a heavy earthy, gritty note that fits perfectly into the foundations of VVusk, giving it a long lasting oudy undercurrent.

Smelling from the applicator, VVusk has a smooth, creamy and musky Vanilla opening, with gourmand bready Sandalwood qualities. It also has a a very human and animal feel to it. Personally I find vanilla to be a human smelling material, it reminds me of the smell of clean skin, or clean animal fur, and alongside this is the Mongolian Deer Musk, Civet and Maduru Cigar Absolute, which also have this human / animal quality. This makes for an intimate feeling attar. I found myself wanting to smell it often, and continually working on it to get the right balance.

Despite their being 6 different types of Myrrh in here, it is actually hard to notice, as it works so harmoniously with the other materials, creating a feeling, rather than a collection of ingredients.

Smelling on the skin, VVusk opens with the animalic Maduru taking centre stage, it feels wild at first, with a smoky musky animalic presence, but as the other notes come forward, everything becomes more calm and stable. The Papuan Vanilla fits so neatly into the profile of the Maduru Cigar, that it becomes homogenous quickly, making it difficult to pick out notes. The aroma of deep gourmand rich Sandalwood is present throughout though

VVusk is a solid, bold presence, like a bear or a moose, it feels huge and furry, wild but also soft and friendly. This has a good dose of Civet, which assists in this furry theme.

The Ethiopian Suke Quto Coffee also plays an important role in this blend, and it's scent is noticeable, but not with a typical coffee aroma, this imparts a beautiful, creamy chocolaty feel, that is enhanced by the Mongolian deer musk and Greenheart Wood.

The Mongolian Deer Musk used in this was from a project I made about 4 years ago, I found some I had forgotten about, always the best surprise. It has a more chocolaty, soft feel than fresher musks I had made.

Thanks to all who helped me make this, Credit to Ashley for helping with the visuals too.