Journal Notes:

This is the second Civet Royale perfume, after Civet Regal. This one moves into a direction I hadn’t really explored before. Civet Prestige feels like a greener interpretation of a classic civet structure — powdery, soft, and floral, but also nutty, herbal-sweet-spicy, green, and lightly animalic with an oudy depth.

I didn’t initially intend for it to go this way. I was simply drawn to sesame and wanted to explore its nutty creaminess within the Civet Royale profile, without letting it drift too far into gourmand territory.

From there, I introduced star anise and fennel — one bringing a fermented-sweet aromatic depth, the other a green, sweet-spicy lift. Then came the florals: honeysuckle and osmanthus, followed by pink pepper, which gave the composition its first real definition.

The structure finally locked in with golden champaca. On its own, it reads as pollen-like, creamy, with fruity-tea nuances and a subtle spice. It felt like a necessary bridge element, filling the perceptual gap between honeysuckle and osmanthus and tying the floral heart together.

Later additions were oud — then more oud — and finally a deeper layer of Sylheti oud. If you’ve tried Kasturi Cola, you may notice a similar character in the drydown, though those familiar with Sylheti oud will likely detect it earlier, as it unfolds in the air.

I kept a portion of this Civet Prestige to do a special project with it. I am contemplating what to do with it. Perhaps, something for the end of the year (as a special edition?) We'll see.

The final rendition of Civet Royale is currently in development and may take a few months to complete. It will explore a civet–rose–oud profile.