Question:
The latest civet thread on this board has gotten me thinking (bad thing): there are some notes, including civet, castoreum, tuberose, cumin, vetiver, and chocolate, that generate strong reactions, if not outright controversy, among Basenoters. I'm curious as to everybody's thoughts on which scents incorporate these tricky notes most effectively. Here are a few of mine:
1. Civet (smells "poopy" or like urine to some) - used well in Ungaro II
2. Castoreum (see civet above, also can leave a "dirty tushie" impression) - used well in Yatagan
3. Tuberose (stifling or overbearing for many) - used well in Carnal Flower
4. Cumin (dirty socks and armpits for some of us) - used well Idole de Lubin
5. Chocolate (smells like food) - used well, though not listed, in Santal Noble
6. Vetiver (harsh and bitter to some when it's up front) - used well in many fragrances, but for me especially in Yerbamate
What do you all think?

Answer:
Castoreum is used very well in Givenchy Gentleman. Castoreum is used well in Aramis.
So far I haven't found a fragrance that played out grapefruit well..

Answer:
1. Civet (smells "poopy" or like urine to some) - used well in Estee Lauder White Linen, Ava Luxe Rasa Xtreme, Ava Luxe Film Noir
2. Castoreum (see civet above, also can leave a "dirty tushie" impression) - used well in Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum, Gres Cabochard, Avon Occur!
3. Tuberose (stifling or overbearing for many) - used well in Gianfranco Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre, Carolina Herrera by Carolina Herrera, Guerlain Mahora, Gres Cabotine
4. Cumin (dirty socks and armpits for some of us) - used well Rochas Femme, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant
5. Chocolate (smells like food) - used well in TBS Amorito, Yves Rocher Neonatura Cocoon
6. Vetiver (harsh and bitter to some when it's up front) - used well in many fragrances, but for me especially in Guerlain Vetiver, Benjamins of Jamaica Khus Khus
7. Grapefruit (acidulous and bitter) - used well in Guerlain Pamplelune, Christian Lacroix Bazar For Women, Jo Malone Grapefruit, Police Eyes for You (though not listed as a note)
8. Patchouli (viscous, cloying, sweaty) - used well in Badgley Mischka by Badgley Mischka, Michael Kors Michael For Men, Estee Lauder Cinnabar, TBS Woody Sandalwood
9. Ambergris (rich, foamlike, briney) - used well in Spiritual Sky Ambergris, Molinard Habanita (vintage / parfum)

I like my perfumes tricky...

Answer:
Originally Posted by Xen So far I haven't found a fragrance that played out grapefruit well.. Cartier Declaration uses grapefruit and cumin well, to my nose.

Answer:
I can't normally bear tuberose but I do love Annick Goutal Passion and Etro Magot.

Answer:
Originally Posted by moondeva I like my perfumes tricky... Me too! ;-)

Answer:
The civet in Narcisse Noir is amazingly good. I'm not a cumin fan, but I love it in Madame Rochas (particularly the old version) and Rochas Femme. Tuberose...well, I liked tuberose to start with, but Carnal Flower is *divine*, and I love Mahora too. (I've said it before, but I shall say it again - you men should all look out for Fresh's Hombre de Flores Polianthes Tuberosa, which is not as simple as Fresh colognes tend to be, and which is not as...violent as tuberose tends to be.)