JD Scatamalis Base

Sampling this one. Scatamalis reminds me strongly of an earlier era's men's fougere, like Z-14 or the green Polo. It smells like Irish Spring soap, with something gorgeous and skanky masterfully mixed in. I can't tell where the clean, green soap ends, and where the funky undertone begins, which signifies quality to me. Scatamalis leans more masculine, but I'm loving these notes in combination with each other, and the entire composition on my (37f) skin. Despite leaning masculine, it doesn't feel uncomfortable or out of place when I have it on―in fact, it seems a rather polite perfume, sillage-wise. I can't pick out one note over another, really, but I would've expected oakmoss (or at least evernyl acetate) and some kind of suede leather (alpha isomethyl ionones?) to be in the listed notes. It does not smell fecal or urinous, but skanky, the way the leather/iris/tuberose accord in HdP's Tubereuse 1 Capriceuce is. This is nothing like I expected, but then, Muscs Koublai Khan (a gorgeous vintage-style musk perfume) wasn't either. TL DR: Love the classic soap accord juxtaposed with the dirtier base.

This is such an interesting fragrance! I got the oil roller ball to use as a base layer with other scents, but find myself reaching for it to use alone. A tiny dab brings the funk of animalics to the forefront. I get compliments on it, which has never been my motivation for wearing something, but it’s nice to know others like this controversial accord. On occasion, I’ve dabbed too much and it smells like soap? Like the Ivory soap clean musk scent so many Your Skin But Better fragrances aim for. My favorite ways to wear this are under earthy, resinous vanilla concoctions like Shalimar, and with indolic white florals like Dame’s Linden Blossom and Gardenia. But the Shalimar? This is how to bring back the sophisticated funk of yesteryear, before civet frags were neutered.

Vintage Jicky, or anything with civet, proves that fecal animalics add a radiant warmth to fragrance. Words can’t really describe it. but I tried using this base and various fragrances from Amber Orientals to Chypres, and it indeed adds a radiant warmth. I don’t understand how that could be repugnant to anyone. But then again I prefer animalics to clean fragrances.

Supposedly base for layering with JD Juste Filthy. In actually, stands well on it's own and is a more complete fragrance than Juste Filthy. Whereas JF is mainly a civet blast, this is deeper and woodier. The fecal/civet blending with the cedar, vetiver and musk evoke the stinky but also happy/comforting aura of a warm barn with animals, hay and wood shavings.

Scatamalis Base has that deep, primal richness that feels both raw and refined. I love using as a base layer for other fragrances. Absolutely amplifies animalic and leathery fragrances. Pushing the buy button on a full bottle of this soon.