Musk CologneMusky Citrus Eau de Parfum

Musk Cologne by Bortnikoff is a niche eau de parfum that is citrusy, musky, and floral, and unisex, created by Dmitry Bortnikov. Released in 2019, it was launched as a limited edition of 300 bottles.

A Thai house where the founder is also the perfumer

Bortnikoff is based in Thailand, in the heart of the agarwood-producing regions. It was founded by Dmitry Bortnikov, a Russian perfumer who is both the owner and the nose of his brand, and who works with wild Thai ouds, sourcing his materials at the source. The catalog is divided into four lines: Entry Level, Main Collection, Colognes, and Attars. At this house, the word "cologne" means neither light nor fleeting: it refers to a fresh water built with the same rare materials as its ouds. 50 ml bottle.

An opening of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, and sweet orange

Four citrus fruits open together, with nothing else to accompany them: bitter bergamot, sharp lemon, mandarin, and sweet orange, which are rounder and sweeter. It is a classic, straightforward, and joyful cologne opening.

A heart of green tea, lily of the valley, magnolia, tuberose, and ylang-ylang

Green tea brings a vegetal bitterness, then the white flowers open: lily of the valley and magnolia, clear and transparent, and tuberose and ylang-ylang, which are significantly more carnal.

A base of deer musk, Indian sandalwood, and guaiac wood

Kabarga deer musk settles in, warm and slightly animalic. Indian sandalwood softens it with creaminess, and guaiac wood brings a dry smoke. The trail is soft but significantly more tenacious than that of an ordinary cologne.

The house's signature

An animalic musk in a cologne. Deer musk is one of the rarest and most strictly regulated materials in perfumery: since its near-universal abandonment, houses use synthetic musks. Bortnikoff uses genuine musk—Kabarga, the musk deer of Siberia—and places it in the base of perfumery's lightest format. The result lies in this contrast: a cheerful and energetic citrus exterior, and underneath, a slightly smoky and animalic depth that no cologne usually possesses. This is also what explains its unusual longevity for the style.

For whom, for what occasions?

Citrusy, musky, and floral, this eau de parfum is for those seeking a cologne that lasts and who do not fear a skin note. It can be worn all year round, during the day, by both women and men.

With Musk Cologne Bortnikoff, Dmitry Bortnikov places an animalic musk beneath four citrus fruits.