Scento’s catalogue lists an ambergris note in 68 published perfumes. Our 15 picks, including Afternoon Swim, Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait, Guidance, Green Irish Tweed and Tuxedo, run from marine to statement styles, each as a 2 ml decant from €5.90. These are catalogue notes, not brand-official formulas.
In short
- 68 published perfumes in the Scento catalogue carry the literal “Ambergris” note, and 62 carry Ambroxan, Ambrox Super or Cetalox.
- Ambergris appears in 5 of the 25 most-bought perfumes in the Scento Fragrance Index (October 2025 to September 2026): Guidance, Guidance 46, both Baccarat Rouge 540s and Afternoon Swim.
- Natural ambergris is a rare whale product, and its legal status differs by country. Synthetic ambery molecules such as Ambrox, Cetalox and Ambrofix are a separate group.
- Perfumes tagged only as ambroxan, such as Sauvage, are kept out of the picks and have their own labelled paragraph.
- The 15 picks cost €5.90 to €19.90 as 2 ml decants.
Ambergris in numbers
Share of sperm whales and pygmy sperm whales in which ambergris is “only found in about 1-5% of these whales”
Australian Government, DCCEEW 1
CITES status of naturally excreted ambergris, a waste product
CITES 2
US rule: you “may not collect, keep, or sell ambergris”
NOAA Fisheries 3
Per kg of natural ambergris, from dealer listings
Scento calculation 4
Per kg of ambroxide, bulk
Supplier list prices 4
Year Firmenich discovered the chemical structure of Ambrox
Firmenich 5
Quick picks by style
Every pick below comes from Scento’s catalogue, where the note positions are Scento’s own catalogue pyramids rather than brand statements. Start with the style you already like. Creed, Amouage and Maison Francis Kurkdjian each have two ambergris perfumes here, counting the Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum alternate.
- Marine and salty: Afternoon Swim, Sailing Day and Explorer Ultra Blue.
- Ambery-musky: Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait, Amber Musk, Love in White, Fleur de Peau and Ani.
- Woody: Green Irish Tweed, Ébène Fumé and Guidance.
- Fresh: Colonia C.L.U.B.
- Statement: Soleil de Jeddah, Tuxedo and Guidance 46.
To browse everything tagged with the note, the ambergris note page lists the full set in the shop.
What ambergris is
Ambergris is a metabolic product of the sperm whale. A paper in Scientific Reports describes it as accumulating “as gut concretions with a probability of about 1%”.6 The Australian government puts it as “only found in about 1-5% of these whales”, and says lumps range “from 15 grams up to 420 kilograms”.1
The material changes once it leaves the whale. According to the Australian government, “exposure to sun, air and salt water oxidizes it, and eventually it becomes grey and waxy”.1 The same Scientific Reports paper explains that “the odor components of ambergris result from the photooxidative degradation of the major component, ambrein”.6
That chemistry matters for perfumery. Authors writing for Givaudan call (−)-Ambrox “the most prominent olfactive component of ambergris”.7
Real ambergris vs Ambroxan and Cetalox
The synthetic route is old. Firmenich’s own timeline records that in 1950 it discovered the chemical structure of Ambrox, launched Cetalox in 1993, and in 2016 achieved the first commercial scale-up of Ambrox Super on its white biotechnology platform.5
Givaudan’s Ambrofix is described by the company as “the most widely used and most biodegradable ambery molecule”.8 Givaudan says it is now made by fermenting sugar cane and “requires a hundred times less land”.9
So when a perfume lists ambergris, the note on the page may stand for natural material, a synthetic that recreates it, or a blend. The catalogue does not say which. For a closer look at how the two differ, see our guide to ambroxan and how it replaced ambergris.
Is ambergris legal?
It depends on where you are. The wording below is quoted from each source.
- International trade (CITES): “urine, faeces and ambergris that has been naturally excreted are waste products and are therefore not covered by the provisions of the Convention”.2
- United States: NOAA Fisheries says, “You may not collect, keep, or sell ambergris because it is a part from an endangered marine mammal”.3
- Australia: “Under Australian law ambergris is considered to be a whale product … Commercial export permits for ambergris will not be granted”.1
- UK and Europe: the Natural History Museum notes that whales “are protected by law. However … CITES … considers ambergris a waste product … making it legal to collect it from the beach or sea”.10
What natural ambergris costs
Dealer listings for natural ambergris work out to US$20,000-35,000 per kg, a calculation we set out in our perfume ingredient prices article.4 The same article quotes ambroxide, the synthetic route, at US$300-600 per kg in bulk and US$700-1,100 per kg at retail, from a supplier’s list prices.4
Marine and salty picks
The marine group is the most direct way to meet an ambergris note, since it sits against salt, citrus and fresh air.
Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton
A marine, citrus perfume from 2019. The catalogue lists ambergris in the base. It ranks #24 in the Scento Fragrance Index for Europe, and suits warm days and holidays. Afternoon Swim as a 2 ml decant (€15.95), or €45.95 for 8 ml.
Sailing Day by Maison Margiela
Marine and salty, with a seaweed character, launched in 2017. Ambergris sits in the base in the catalogue. It brings the salty side of the note forward and fits seaside weekends. Sailing Day as a 2 ml decant (€6.90), or €24.90 for 8 ml.
Explorer Ultra Blue by Montblanc
A marine, fresh perfume from 2021, with ambergris in the heart rather than the base. It suits anyone who wants a clean, easy-wearing daytime scent. Explorer Ultra Blue as a 2 ml decant (€5.90), or €16.95 for 8 ml.
Ambery-musky picks
Here the note leans warm, soft and skin-like. These perfumes are the ones most likely to be worn close to the body.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
An ambery-musky perfume from 2017 that ranks #6 in the Scento Fragrance Index for Europe. The catalogue lists ambergris in the base, together with ambroxan. The Eau de Parfum is the alternate: ambergris in the heart, launched 2015, ranked #23, €13.90 for 2 ml. Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait as a 2 ml decant (€17.90), or €51.95 for 8 ml.
Amber Musk by Montale
Ambery-musky, launched in 2018, with ambergris listed in the top notes, which is unusual among these picks. A low-cost way to test the style. Amber Musk as a 2 ml decant (€5.90), or €21.95 for 8 ml.
Love in White by Creed
The Eau de Parfum is a musky, floral perfume from 2005 with ambergris in the base. It is a soft, quiet choice for daytime and spring. Love in White as a 2 ml decant (€11.95), or €41.90 for 8 ml.
Fleur de Peau by Diptyque
Musky and iris-led, from 2018, with ambergris in the base. It suits people who want a skin scent rather than a perfume that announces itself. Fleur de Peau as a 2 ml decant (€10.90), or €36.90 for 8 ml.
Ani by Nishane
An ambery, vanilla perfume from 2019, with ambergris in the base. It suits cooler evenings and anyone who enjoys a sweeter, rounder take on the note. Ani as a 2 ml decant (€9.90), or €36.95 for 8 ml.
Woody picks
Wood gives ambergris structure. These three set it in green, smoky and ambery woods.
Green Irish Tweed by Creed
A woody, green classic from 1985, the oldest perfume in this list. The catalogue lists ambergris in the base. It suits office days and outdoor weekends. Green Irish Tweed as a 2 ml decant (€9.95), or €33.90 for 8 ml.
Ébène Fumé by Tom Ford
Woody and smoky, launched in 2021, with ambergris in the base. It is a good fit for autumn and winter evenings. Ébène Fumé as a 2 ml decant (€18.90), or €52.95 for 8 ml.
Guidance by Amouage
A woody-ambery perfume from 2023, with ambergris in the base. It ranks #3 in the Scento Fragrance Index for Europe, the highest of any ambergris perfume here. Guidance as a 2 ml decant (€12.90), or €44.90 for 8 ml.
Fresh picks
Fresh is the smallest group here: one clean, aromatic pick.
Colonia C.L.U.B. by Acqua di Parma
Fresh and aromatic, launched in 2017, with ambergris in the base. It suits warm mornings, travel and anyone who prefers a cologne feel. Colonia C.L.U.B. as a 2 ml decant (€6.90), or €19.90 for 8 ml.
Statement picks
These are larger, more noticeable perfumes. Each is best tested in a 2 ml vial first.
Soleil de Jeddah by SHL 777
A statement leather perfume from 2013, with ambergris in the heart. It is the most expensive 2 ml decant among the 15 picks, alongside Tuxedo, and it suits evenings and cooler weather. Soleil de Jeddah as a 2 ml decant (€19.90), or €62.95 for 8 ml.
Tuxedo by Yves Saint Laurent
A statement perfume built on patchouli and vanilla, from 2015, with ambergris in the base. It suits formal evenings and winter. Tuxedo as a 2 ml decant (€19.90), or €62.90 for 8 ml.
Guidance 46 by Amouage
A statement, ambery perfume from 2024 with ambergris in the base. It ranks #8 in the Scento Fragrance Index for Europe. Guidance 46 as a 2 ml decant (€16.45), or €55.95 for 8 ml.
Ambroxan, not ambergris
Some very popular perfumes are tagged as ambroxan in the catalogue, not ambergris, so they are not picks in this guide. Sauvage, Molecule 02 and Megamare are the examples. Ambroxan-type notes appear in 7 of the 25 most-bought perfumes in the Scento Fragrance Index; both Baccarat Rouge 540s carry ambroxan as well as ambergris. If you are after the ambroxan effect, our ambroxan guide is the better place to start.
Also in the catalogue with an ambergris note, beyond the 15 picks: Erolfa (€9.95 for 2 ml), L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Intense (€4.90 for 2 ml), Amber Star with ambergris in the top (€20.90 for 2 ml) and the 2026 release Ambre Levant (€17.90 for 2 ml).
Comparison table
| Perfume | House | Style | Where ambergris sits | Launch | 2 ml retail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon Swim | Louis Vuitton | Marine, citrus | Base | 2019 | €15.95 | Product page |
| Sailing Day | Maison Margiela | Marine, salty (seaweed) | Base | 2017 | €6.90 | Product page |
| Explorer Ultra Blue | Montblanc | Marine, fresh | Heart | 2021 | €5.90 | Product page |
| Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait | Maison Francis Kurkdjian | Ambery-musky | Base (plus ambroxan) | 2017 | €17.90 | Product page |
| Amber Musk | Montale | Ambery-musky | Top | 2018 | €5.90 | Product page |
| Love in White (EDP) | Creed | Musky, floral | Base | 2005 | €11.95 | Product page |
| Fleur de Peau | Diptyque | Musky, iris | Base | 2018 | €10.90 | Product page |
| Ani | Nishane | Ambery, vanilla | Base | 2019 | €9.90 | Product page |
| Green Irish Tweed | Creed | Woody, green | Base | 1985 | €9.95 | Product page |
| Ébène Fumé | Tom Ford | Woody, smoky | Base | 2021 | €18.90 | Product page |
| Guidance | Amouage | Woody-ambery | Base | 2023 | €12.90 | Product page |
| Colonia C.L.U.B. | Acqua di Parma | Fresh, aromatic | Base | 2017 | €6.90 | Product page |
| Soleil de Jeddah | SHL 777 | Statement, leather | Heart | 2013 | €19.90 | Product page |
| Tuxedo | Yves Saint Laurent | Statement, patchouli and vanilla | Base | 2015 | €19.90 | Product page |
| Guidance 46 | Amouage | Statement, ambery | Base | 2024 | €16.45 | Product page |
How to test an ambergris perfume in 2 ml
A 2 ml vial is enough for several wears, which is what an ambery or marine note needs. 76% of the decants Scento sold between October 2025 and September 2026 were 2 ml, according to the Scento Fragrance Index. Spray once on skin, wait an hour and see what stays. The base is where the catalogue places ambergris for most picks here, so judge the dry-down, not the opening.
If you like a style, move to 5 ml or 8 ml, or a 30 ml bottle decant on most perfumes. Every decant is hand-poured from an original full-size bottle bought through authorised retail channels, with no dilution. Delivery is tracked and free over €75 to 26 EU countries.
How we compiled this
We chose the 15 picks from Scento’s catalogue of published perfumes that list an ambergris note, grouped by style. Perfumes tagged only as ambroxan are excluded, as are any perfumes currently paused for sale. Note positions are Scento’s catalogue pyramids, not brand-official formulas, and we do not state concentrations.
Prices are one-time retail prices read from each live product page on 12 October 2026. Ranks come from the Scento Fragrance Index, Europe, October 2025 to September 2026. Ingredient and legal facts are quoted from the sources below, all read on 12 October 2026.
Sources
- Ambergris, DCCEEW, Australian Government, .
- Resolution Conf. 9.6 (Rev. CoP20), CITES.
- What to Do With Body Parts of Endangered Species, NOAA Fisheries.
- Perfume Ingredient Prices 2026, Scento, .
- Sharing innovation, perfumery, Firmenich, 2016.
- Construction of an artificial system for ambrein biosynthesis…, Scientific Reports, .
- From Ambergris to (−)-Ambrox, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Givaudan authors), .
- Ambrofix, Givaudan.
- New biotechnology approach… Ambrofix, Givaudan, .
- What is ambergris?, Natural History Museum, 2017.
Your questions, answered
- Which perfumes use ambergris?
- In Scento's catalogue, 68 published perfumes carry the literal Ambergris note. Fifteen are picked in this guide, including Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton, Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Guidance by Amouage, Green Irish Tweed by Creed and Tuxedo by Yves Saint Laurent. These are catalogue pyramids, not brand-official formulas.
- Is real ambergris still used in perfume?
- The catalogue lists the note but does not say whether a given perfume uses natural ambergris, a synthetic or a blend. Natural ambergris is rare: the Australian government says it is only found in about 1-5% of sperm whales and pygmy sperm whales. Synthetic ambery molecules such as Ambrox, Cetalox and Ambrofix are the alternative. Givaudan calls its Ambrofix "the most widely used and most biodegradable ambery molecule".
- Ambergris vs ambroxan: what's the difference?
- Ambergris is a natural material from sperm whales. Ambroxan is a synthetic ambery molecule. Authors writing for Givaudan call (−)-Ambrox the most prominent olfactive component of ambergris. Our separate guide, ambroxan in perfume and how it replaced ambergris, covers the difference in more depth.
- Is ambergris legal in the US, UK, EU and Australia?
- CITES says naturally excreted ambergris is a waste product not covered by the Convention. NOAA Fisheries says in the US you may not collect, keep or sell it. Australia treats it as a whale product and will not grant commercial export permits. The Natural History Museum says CITES makes it legal to collect from the beach or sea in the UK and Europe.
- What does ambergris smell like?
- The Australian government says fresh ambergris "is black and sticky" and, as it oxidises, turns "grey and waxy … losing its unpleasant odour". Scientific Reports says its odour components come from the photooxidative degradation of ambrein. In perfumes, the Scento catalogue places the note in marine, musky, woody and ambery styles.
- How much does ambergris cost per kilo?
- Scento's calculation from dealer listings gives US$20,000-35,000 per kg for natural ambergris. By comparison, a supplier's list prices put ambroxide at US$300-600 per kg in bulk and US$700-1,100 per kg at retail. Both figures come from Scento's perfume ingredient prices article.
- What's the best ambergris perfume for men?
- Several picks suit men, depending on style: Explorer Ultra Blue by Montblanc for fresh marine, Green Irish Tweed by Creed for green woods, Ébène Fumé by Tom Ford for smoky woods, and Guidance by Amouage, which ranks #3 in the Scento Fragrance Index for Europe. A 2 ml decant lets you test first.
- Does Baccarat Rouge 540 contain ambergris?
- The Scento catalogue lists ambergris plus ambroxan in the base of Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait, and ambergris in the heart of the Eau de Parfum. These are Scento's catalogue pyramids, not a brand-official formula, and the catalogue does not state which form of ambergris is used.
Cite this page
Scento (2026). Best Ambergris Perfumes 2026: 15 Picks by Style. Updated October 12, 2026. https://www.scento.com/blog/best-ambergris-perfumes
