MAISON TAHITE
Carnal Cacao

2021

PERFUMER
Paul Guerlain

mandarin
pink pepper

tuberose absolute
neroli

ambroxan
cocoa absolute
musk

Carnal Cacao is quite an outlier as far as chocolate fragrances go. I thought this would be an outlier in general, but I found it moving in a familiar direction eventually.

Straight away, this is a very dry textured scent with a freshness. I don’t necessarily get mandarin or even tuberose per se, but a soapy floral with neroli tinges is very prominent. Dry flowers with a sort of fizzy base that comes through. I felt it was dry, chalky and even rubbery at first, but it becomes much smoother later on.

More musk than cocoa in the base too. Or at least, the cocoa here is not very sweet. That being said, this starts to move into the marshmallow flower direction that is overdone. It’s one of many in this style; usually with orange blossom prominent that’s not listed here, but it still gives off the same vibe. Pleasant, but not one of my favorites from the brand.