In short
Civet absolute is a solvent extract of the glandular secretion of the African civet. Intensely fecal neat, it becomes a warm, radiant animalic in high dilution.
What Civet Absolute smells like
Fraterworks describes its civet absolute, from Ethiopia, as intensely fecal and extremely obnoxious to most people, becoming far more appealing in dilution (typically 1–10%), and notes that the absolute is easier to use than the raw paste, which must be tinctured and rested for months. A conference paper on the Ethiopian civet industry gives Ethiopia as the main exporter of civet musk. Delacourte describes the raw material as very violent, particularly animalic, even fecal, and notes that it was treated with volatile solvent and infused in alcohol; Première Peau notes that civet is now largely replaced by synthetic bases built on civetone with indole and skatole.
- Leading note
- Animalic
- Clear facets
- Fecal
- Supporting facets
- Musky, warm
- Character
- Powerful, tenacious
What makes Civet Absolute distinctive
Intensely fecal neat and warmly animalic in dilution: the odour turns on how much is used.
Concentration and dilution
Fraterworks finds it far more appealing in dilution, typically 1–10%, and also sells it at 10% in triethyl citrate. Première Peau describes civet as dilution-dependent: at stronger dilutions the skatole and indole dominate, and in trace amounts they fall below threshold and leave a warm, honeyed, powdery musk.
Where the descriptions disagree: Fraterworks calls civet a CITES Appendix II product; databases drawing on Species+ list the African civet in Appendix III.
How Civet Absolute is used
Used in high dilution as an animalic modifier and fixative in florals, chypres and leathers.
Typical role: fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes); modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Civet Absolute differs from similar materials
- Ambergris Tincture
- Ambergris tincture is marine and salty-mossy beside its animal note; civet is the more purely fecal, furry animalic.
- Castoreum Absolute
- Castoreum is the leathery, smoky-phenolic animalic; civet is fecal and furry rather than leathery.
- Tonquitone
- Tonquitone is a musk-led reconstruction with ambergris and caramel; civet absolute is the natural fecal animalic itself.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
An animal product: the perineal-gland secretion of African civets kept on farms, mainly in Ethiopia. Animal-welfare organisations and studies of civet farms have documented poor housing and handling, and many fragrance houses use synthetic civet replacers instead. International trade is regulated under CITES; sources disagree on the appendix, so check Species+ and national rules before buying.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Absolute
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Animalic / Musky
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Semi-solid
- Also known as
- Civet extract
- CAS number
- 68916-26-7
The CAS number was checked on 25 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. A natural material is a mixture, so it has no single formula; its composition varies with origin and processing.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Civetone
Aroma chemical · Animalic / Musky — animalic, musky, warm, fecal
-
Muscone
Aroma chemical · Musky / Animalic — musky, animalic, warm, powdery
-
Labdanum Absolute
Absolute · Amber / Leather — amber, balsamic, leathery, animalic
Civet Absolute is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Ambergris Tincture.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 4 published formulas
Civet Absolute is an ingredient in 4 perfume formulas in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Civet Absolute
Is Civet Absolute natural or synthetic?
Civet Absolute is natural. It is a concentrated extract obtained from plant material with a solvent, then washed with ethanol to remove the waxes.
What is the CAS number of Civet Absolute?
68916-26-7, the registry number for the absolute as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 25 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Civet Absolute?
Civet Absolute is used in 4 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Bright Wolf, Fur & Fruit and Musk Cartouche. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — substance 135343984, checked 25 October 2026.
- Fraterworks — Civet Supreme Absolute — distributor's description.
- Tropentag 2009 — civet musk production in Ethiopia (conference paper) — published literature.
- Wildlife SOS — An anthology of human–civet conflict — published perfumery reference.
- Première Peau — Civet — published perfumery reference.
- Delacourte — The civet — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.