- a fragrant secretion of a muskrat's gland and Siberian roe deer. In the perfume industry people use synthetic equivalents of musk, for the protection of rare species of animals that secrete it. In a large concentration, the musk has an intense smell of ammonia. In the perfume industry it is dissolved in alcohol, thus gaining a warm, balsamic, animal aroma. It perfectly strengthens musk perfumes, and its intense smell shapes the final flavor of base notes to a large extent.