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Can we talk civet?

post #1 of 11
2/28/07 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Comments on another thread got me thinking about civet, and this is what I thought:

An animalic note based on secretions of the civet cat (not actually a cat at all, but a weasel- or ferret-like animal), civet engenders very strong reactions. In the perfumeur's repertoire, it strikes me as perhaps the trickiest note to handle.

When well balanced and well integrated, as in Jicky or Film Noir, it is smooth, sensuous, and highly suggestive. When out of balance, or when mixed with too many sweet notes (Amouage Gold), it generates an accord I can only describe as "cat pee, with sugar on top".

Any other thoughts on civet and its successful/unsuccessful use in fragrances?
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post #2 of 11
2/28/07 at 12:06pm
I won't even pretend to be educated on any of this, but I think civet is the note that really draws me into Givenchy Gentleman, and which makes it incredibly unique (to my nose). It smells classy, yet dangerous and foreign at the same time.
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post #3 of 11
2/28/07 at 12:09pm
Every fragrance I've tried with civet in it got me nausceous and I had to wash it off! It definitely smells like piss to me. I can't comment on how it smells in women's fragrances like Jicky since I do not wear women's fragrances.
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post #4 of 11
2/28/07 at 12:11pm
For little more insight in to civet and how it manifests in fragrances read this thread:

http://community.basenotes.net/showt...ighlight=civet
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post #5 of 11
2/28/07 at 12:15pm
Ungaro II and Rose Poivree - Different Company have nice civet notes in them.
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post #6 of 11
2/28/07 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by moondeva

For little more insight in to civet and how it manifests in fragrances read this thread:

http://community.basenotes.net/showt...ighlight=civet


Thank you moondeva!
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post #7 of 11
2/28/07 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeFromManhattan

Every fragrance I've tried with civet in it got me nausceous and I had to wash it off! It definitely smells like piss to me. I can't comment on how it smells in women's fragrances like Jicky since I do not wear women's fragrances.

I think it's a mistake to dismiss Jicky. It is pretty similar to Ungaro II in it's heavy use of civetand one wouldn't say that that is feminine. Jicky is a pretty masculine fragrance IMO, not to mention that it was Sean Connery's favourite EDT. And compared to something like Dior Homme Jicky is positively hairy chested.

Still, of course if you don't like civet at all, you definitely won't like Jicky.
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post #8 of 11
2/28/07 at 5:06pm
Honestly, I had never even HEARD the word 'civet' before I started posting on BN.

I tested some Jicky a month or so ago, at Nordstroms. I got such a strong reaction (bad) to it, that it intrigued me...what was this smell that I found offensive. The SA was giggling the entire time (she said most people hated it...she kept trying to get me to buy Vetiver) and my boyfriend instantly pushed my hand away from his nose when I offered it. This intrigued me too. One of the other SA's said it reminded him of 'Fantastik' that all purpose cleaner we have here in the US...we all laughed.

That evening, I came home & Basenote-d Jicky & sure enough...most of the reviews mentioned this strange word 'civet' I'd never heard of.

More recently, now I know that this is what I've smelled in A.maze (by People of the Labyrinths), Kingdom & Rose Poivre.

I might even buy Jicky, soon.
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post #9 of 11
2/28/07 at 5:21pm
Ungaro II quite possibly contains the most masterful use of civet in a fragrance. Never overwhelming yet evident, the civet adds a critical character to a superb fragrance.
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post #10 of 11
2/28/07 at 5:40pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23

Honestly, I had never even HEARD the word 'civet' before I started posting on BN.

I tested some Jicky a month or so ago, at Nordstroms. I got such a strong reaction (bad) to it, that it intrigued me...what was this smell that I found offensive. The SA was giggling the entire time (she said most people hated it...she kept trying to get me to buy Vetiver) and my boyfriend instantly pushed my hand away from his nose when I offered it. This intrigued me too. One of the other SA's said it reminded him of 'Fantastik' that all purpose cleaner we have here in the US...we all laughed.

That evening, I came home & Basenote-d Jicky & sure enough...most of the reviews mentioned this strange word 'civet' I'd never heard of.

More recently, now I know that this is what I've smelled in A.maze (by People of the Labyrinths), Kingdom & Rose Poivre.

I might even buy Jicky, soon.

Hmmm....why would you buy Jicky if both you and your boyfriend find it offensive? Just curious : )
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post #11 of 11
2/28/07 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zztopp

Ungaro II quite possibly contains the most masterful use of civet in a fragrance. Never overwhelming yet evident, the civet adds a critical character to a superb fragrance.

Personnally I'd give that award to Givenchy Gentleman (old), but Ungaro II is a superb blend i agree.
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