We don’t often associate the anus with pleasant aromas. But for select members of a certain species of cetacean, that orifice can be the source of the world’s most sought after scent. While the odor ...

Ambergris, that versatile sperm whale excretion that Herman Melville wrote so prodigiously about when the ocean was just a Dave & Buster’s for murdering sperm whales, can be a pretty valuable ...

It sounds unbelievable, but one of the most expensive ingredients in luxury perfumes begins as a byproduct of a whale’s digestive system. Known as ambergris, this rare substance is often called “whale ...

A small percentage of sperm whales produce ambergris, a clump of squid beaks and fatty secretions that likely exits through the whales' bowels. It's coveted by perfumers for its unique scent. Quality ...