Ambergris is the only perfumery ingredient that I can think of that comes from a living animal that is neither tortured, imprisoned or outright killed to harvest the substance. It is a solid, waxy and flammable substance that is grey to black in color. It is produced in the digestive system of sperm whales and is regurgitated naturally. It then floats on the sea for perhaps tens of years before washing up on the beaches of countries such as India, China, Japan and Australia among others.

When fresh amergris has no value as the smell is powerfully fecal. As it ages and matures however it develops a sweet, earthy scent that is exquisite as well as sensual. It is commonly found in lumps that weigh anywhere from .5 ounces to a huge 100 pounds or more.

When it is first expelled from the sperm whale it is a pale white in color and sometimes streaked with black. After many months or even years of being exposed to the sun and salt sea it hardens to a dark grey or black color, very waxy in feel and develops its characteristic sweet, earthy and animalic smell. I have heard (and read) that the scent is very like rubbing alcohol in fragrance except without the astringent, chemical smell. To be honest, I have not put my nose to a bottle of rubbing alcohol to test this. I just know the scent is wonderful.

It is a wonderful scent, surprising given its origin and role in the animals life, and well worth seeking out. You can be assured that no sperm whale was harmed in order for you to enjoy the fragrance.