Without having smelled croton oil myself, canned brisling (which is what it is, even if it was sold as sardines) has a quite strong smell and taste. I can easil

Without having smelled croton oil myself, canned brisling (which is what it is, even if it was sold as sardines) has a quite strong smell and taste. I can easily imagine that it could mask the pungent smell of the croton oil.