It’s not a single molecule but a proprietary musk base that IFF assembles itself from multiple macrocyclic and biodegradable ingredients.

• Goal: To recreate a realistic, animalistic musk/tonquin-like note
• • Character: Animalic, musk, ambergris, civet nuances
  • Use: Fixative, base note, backbone in leather, chypre, oriental, fougère

 

Olfactory description

Tonquitone™ by IFF is a rich, animal-musk base that approximates classic tonquin musk in a modern, clean and fully synthetic way.

It opens with a warm, velvety musk immediately supported by ambergris-like depth, subtle civet nuances and a light skin-like, sensual facet.

The fragrance is creamy, warm, diffuse and very persistent, with a natural, almost skin-like softness that weaves beautifully into compositions.

The character is animalic but refined, never sharp or dirty – rather an elegant, mature musk with a classic signature.

 

Fragrance profile

Fragrance family	Facets
Musk / Animalic Base	Warm, animalic, ambergris, civet, skin-like, creamy, soft, diffuse, sensual

Top

• Soft, warm musk aura
• Slightly powdery and skin-like

Heart

• Tonquin-musk character
• Creamy, warm, slightly animalic
• Subtle ambergris-like minerality

Basic

• Persistent musk
• Civet-like depth
• Velvety, sensual warmth
• Excellent fixative

 

Use in perfumes

Tonquitone is a classic musk/animalic base used to:

✔️ Add depth and sensuality

Gives a perfume a warm, skin-like, intimate character.

✔️ Fixation and diffusion improve

Anchors volatile notes and gives a long-lasting, soft musk sillage.

✔️ create ambergris-like complexity

Ideal when real ambergris is not desired or allowed.

✔️ Introduce animal nuances without getting rough or dirty

Perfect for modern, sophisticated animalics.

 

Typical applications

• Chypres (classic, modern, green, fruity)
• Oriental/amber perfumes
• Fougères (for a warm, sensual heart)
• Learning Agreements
• Musk perfumes
• Niche perfumes with animal or skin-like signatures
• Unisex and intimate skin-scents

 

Dosage

• Trace – 1%: subtle fixation, soft musk-aura
• 1-5%: clear tonquin-musk body
• 5-10%: pronounced animal-sensual character