Originally, this note referred to dried and macerated beaver scent glands, or castor sacs. The resulting tincture had a complex scent combining tanned leather, birch tar, balsamic and pine notes with a sweeter vanilla facet and a smokey warmth. This ingredient was the original inspiration for leather scents and was widely used in perfumery – and even as a food flavoring – into the 20th century. Today, the note in perfume is most often reproduced using synthetic materials, but real beaver castoreum is still used in some fragrances.
