Could be to do with how it's blended in with other notes (and what notes)

I wish I knew. There are other perfumes with patchouli where I get more of that kind of unwashed rankness that I don't like (and I know it's the perfume rather than the wearer because I'm trying them on me!). Mary Read has a lot of sweetness (from the rum and the ocean-whatever) as well as salt, and maybe those particular notes play off patchouli in a way that works for me. I know I'd find Mary Read too sweet if the patchouli wasn't in there.

L'Instant (especially the Extreme) sounds really interesting; adding it to my list of things to try when I next order some samples.