Question:
I LOVE roses and rose combos. And being a newie I'm trying LOTSA things.
And twice now, I've had the experience of smelling FISHY the first minute or so into a rose frag. Happened the first time with Sa Majeste La Rose - and then just yesterday when I had my first rub-in with Waleda Wild Rose Body Oil. Only those two times out of all my roses...and the fish departs after those first fifty or sixty seconds.
The redoubtable Riannon - who provided the generous sample of Her Majesty (and many blessings for that!) - remarked that this sometimes occurs with rose scents but I've never seen it mentioned in my short time here.
Two questions: 1) Anybody else had this happen? 2) Why does it happen?


Answer:
I don't know the answer at all, but here are a couple of possibilities. The most usual source of a fish smell is Trimethylamine. This is used sometimes to balance pH (acidity/alkalinity) in some products, though to be honest I cannot imagine it being used in a perfume when there are plenty of alternatives that don't smell.
The second possibility is that the scent contains one of the plant essential oils or essences that naturally contain Trimethylamine. I know that hawthorn blossom is high in Trimethylamine (which is why it has that slightly sexy, almost rotting smell!) as are some sages and fenugreek... Other nitrogenous plants also contain it, or create it as they decompose.
Just ideas, as I say I don't know. I also haven't personally smelt this in rose scents, but I probably will now I am alerted to it!

Answer:
Oh my gosh.
I've heard of foot odor.
I've heard of anise.
But never fishes. That would definitely put me off.
Here's something to try. Put a bunch of roses on different parts of your arms, go back and forth smelling them. Rank order them in terms of how bad the "fish" note is. Then look at the complete list of notes for each.
Maybe it is the combination of rose with something else that is doing it.

Answer:
Originally Posted by nutmeg The second possibility is that the scent contains one of the plant essential oils or essences that naturally contain Trimethylamine. I know that hawthorn blossom is high in Trimethylamine (which is why it has that slightly sexy, almost rotting smell!) as are some sages and fenugreek... Other nitrogenous plants also contain it, or create it as they decompose. Originally Posted by purplebird7 Oh my gosh.
I've heard of foot odor.
I've heard of anise.
But never fishes. That would definitely put me off.
Here's something to try. Put a bunch of roses on different parts of your arms, go back and forth smelling them. Rank order them in terms of how bad the "fish" note is. Then look at the complete list of notes for each.
Maybe it is the combination of rose with something else that is doing it. Good idea - but it has only happened with these two frags. Still, will see if I can get a complete list of ingredients for each! Hmmmnn - "sage"..."fenugreek"...Thanx!
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Oh dear! It was NOT Riannon (sorry, Beautiful! )...but ONE of you knowledgable ladies (it was not a gent) DID say that a fishy note occasionally appeared with rose...one of my character flaws is NOT saving things (including emails) so I haven't a clue. Mea culpa!

Answer:
I am revisiting this thread in the hope that it will attract the attention of the knowledgeable nose - could it be Quarry, who's been a- - high in work these past weeks? - who can, um, validate that remark about a fish note in rose frags. I know I didn't imagine it.
My nickname as a little girl was "Why Daddy" and I just gotta know!

Answer:
Originally Posted by Taolady
Two questions: 1) Anybody else had this happen? 2) Why does it happen?
1) Nope
2) I don't really know, you got me there.
I am scared of all this fishy bussiness!

Answer:
Do you take fish essential fatty acids or cod liver oil? I haven't heard of this one, that's awful. I know many scents including Hermes turn to pure salt on me. Man! I'd rather have the feces or cat pi$$ than fish.

Answer:
Originally Posted by TDDanae Do you take fish essential fatty acids or cod liver oil? I haven't heard of this one, that's awful. I know many scents including Hermes turn to pure salt on me. Man! I'd rather have the feces or cat pi$$ than fish. I just love your comments, Dear Golden Shower! I get that slightly sea-air effect from Hermes, too. Interesting. (Grew up on Cod Liver Oil. Love it. What can I tell you!!)
The fish note lasts only for - maybe - thirty seconds. I have sent a PM to Quarry because I'm pretty sure it was she who said this fish note in roses is not unusual. It may be that whatever molecule it is that makes such a brief appearance - like the s- - t/castoreum - complements some other molecule in the further development of the fragrance.
Film at eleven!!

Answer:
Hey there, gang. Kiss on each cheek for TaoLady.
I'm not the one who mentioned fish. Carrots are my rose association. A freshly grated carrot and a modern rose smell quite alike to me--the freshness, wetness and gentle sweetness. I'm completely repulsed by a old-style Bourbon rose. I planted a Zephirine Drouhin for my rose-loving Mom because it was patented the same year our schoolhouse was built (1868). It's pretty to look at, but I can't stand to bring a single blossom in the house. Go figure?!
If the fishiness persists only fleetingly, I wonder if it has something to do with the evaporation of alcohol released upon application, creating some molecular mimic?
EDIT: Wait a minute. There shouldn't be any alcohol in the body oil. Hmmm. Hope we find the answer, or at least a second person who's had this experience.

Answer:
try West Side by Bond a great rose combo with peonies