Does the saddle have the "Rebour treatment"? This was a special procedure that supposedly allowed the very thick leather to soften. There should be some mark on the saddle that shows that it has had this done. I have no idea what magic formula they used, but if it's anything like the mink oil I use on my boots, it may very well reek. BTW, I think bacon tallow would be much more appealing to my olfactory.
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/p...af463e50_o.gif