Vile Cedar? - What's that ugly lingering note?

I've discussed before that certain colognes start to "break down" and get really ugly after a few hours (http://community.basenotes.net/showthread.php?t=186710) - as if they had a basenote of having forgotten to take out the garbage for three weeks.

The prior theories had been along the lines of cheap synthetics, or stale liquid, but could the culprit actually be .... the vilanous Cedar?

As everyone knows cedar is an evil and dangerous wood. It causes brain damage if slammed against the cranium, as well as causing splinters in innocent young children and blocking out the sun without which all life on earth would cease to exist.

But seriously, I've noticed this garbage basenote (which invisible at first and only comes out as the other notes disappear) in Opium PH very, very strong after an hour or two, in Xeryus Rouge a bit less so, and in Cool Water Deep less still, but still present after a longer pleasant period. It's very hard to wash off incidentally and it hangs around for a long time.

These three are quite different experiences in terms of scent, though they all have a sharpness to them. The *only* note they all have in common, is Cedar. Opium which reeks the worst of it and the soonest, has cedar in both middle and base notes.

XERYUS ROUGE
Top Notes
Kumquat, Cactus Flesh, Tarragon.,

Middle Notes
Cedar Leaf, Red Pepper, African Geranium.,

Base Notes
Sandalwood, Cedar,


OPIUM
Top Notes
Star Aniseed, Blackcurrant.,

Middle Notes
Chinese Galanga, Szechwan Pepper.,

Base Notes
Fresh Bourbon Vanilla, Tolu Balm, Atlas Cedar.,


DEEP
Top note:
Kiwi, Mandarin Orange, Cactus Sap

Middle note:
Elemi, Sclary Sage, Cedar Needles

Base note:
Gaiac Wood, Hinoki Wood, White Musks, cistus/Rock-rose


Nothing else in my wardrobe does this, and nothing else has cedar.

Has anyone else noticed this? Anyone have experience with this foul flora?

Yes, the Deep has cedar needles rather than wood. THe Deep incidentally has the least problem with the bad "aftertaste". Actually, aftertaste is a good word, because it leaves a weird film in my mouth. Maybe I'm allergic or something. I suspect Opium may have another ingredient that irritates me becaause it also gives me a bit of a sore throat if I use too much. Actually Zino also gives me that too, but it smells wonderful with no ugly aftertaste.

THe Xeryus has "cedar leaves".

If it's not just the cedar, what do you think it might be? I'm curious as I'd like to avoid it!

Yeah I love those three too - that's the problem! With Opium I have to wash my neck after an hour! Xeryus maybe two hours. Deep usually doesn't get ugly until late enough in the day that it doesn't matter. Maybe it's just gross to me - I should ask someone to smell me when I start smelling just the gross notes. It might be an olfactory adjustment thing when I stopped smelling the rest.

But speaking of got wood - when the jazz musician art pepper met his later to be wife, it was love at first sight for him. He went straight up to her and said "Hey, I got wood for you baby!" When she made a face and stored off he didn't understand why!