Méchant Loup (1997)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

L'Artisan Mechant Loup

Mechant Loup translates to the Big, Bad Wolf from fairytales. I felt like the version of the Big, Bad Wolf from The Three Little Pigs. The first time I wore this 1997 Bertrand Duchaufour scent for L'Artisan it was like the house of straw from the story. It barely lasted on my skin and what was there seemed insubstantuial. The second time I wore it, it was more like the house of sticks as I got more feeling but not enough to make me think much of it. It took the third wear and the metaphorical house of bricks before I finally appreciated this scent. Mechant Loup is not as bold a scent as you'd expect for one named after a large lupine scoundrel. No, Mechant Loup instead is the Wolf of Little Red Riding Hood dressed in grandmother's clothes and waiting to jump up and surprise you. The top of this starts off with a mix of hazelnut and honey, this mix of a light roasted nuttiness and the sweetness of honey comes through right from the get go and remains throughout as it is these two notes that form the spine of Mechant Loup. They are joined by sandalwood to start and this is the part that was most difficult for me to experience as the first couple of times the honey and hazelnut seemed to not let the other notes come alive on my skin. Now, the sandalwood seems to really compliment the core notes. Then it leads into a heart where myrrh comes into the mix and the unguent, resinous nature of myrrh really adds contrast to the scent. I also think I've become more familiar with myrrh over the time I've been trying Mechant Loup and the first times I wore this I found the contrast jarring now I find it more pleasing. It's a good example that as one's nose becomes more flexible, scents that once seemed less pleasant can have a second life. The base is tonka which is the perfect compliment to the honey and hazelnut accord as the sweet, slightly spicy tonka both presents added sweetness and a hint of spicy contrast. Mechant Loup has average longevity and average sillage on me. For me this was a scent well worth taking the time to finally get to know a little better, even if it was the Big, Bad Wolf.

Without a doubt an oddball, but a personal favorite as well. Perhaps it's the hazelnut that makes it so eccentric, but this scent's unique profile suits me to a "T".

Not threatening, it's true, but after all, this is a fairy tale wolf. I find Méchant Loup extremely well-balanced, despite it fundamental weirdness. The development, from somewhat sweet, woody, and spicy to nutty and ever so faintly animalic, is leisurely and smooth, and the drydown is both sumptuous and subtle. The sillage is only moderate, but I can't agree with claims of poor longevity. I can put this one on in the afternoon and have it last until the next morning.

Oh, yes, and my wife loves it.

I am immediately struck by the hazelnut and honey — an out-of-the-ordinary combination that pleases me every time I apply it: More than a bit enigmatic, a little sweet, and yet, so comfortably, naturally warm... Méchant Loup develops further by adding an equal part of cedar and a bit of anise, creating an unusual near-sweet, slightly aromatic accord veiled in a subtle smokiness. This smokiness also contributes to the fragrance’s rustic and warm eccentricity. Yes, I smell the wet fur note, and it fits well with the rest of the fragrance — it’s another page in the Méchant Loup story. For me the dry down goes very sweet—the honey dominates with the cedar and hazelnut coming in a distant second and third: the sweetness nicely completes the fragrance’s development. Méchant Loup has excellent longevity, and is easy to wear. As unique as it is, it performs with incredible consistency and predictability. It is sensual and elegant and endearing — possibly mythic. (Edit of 22 February 2006 review.)

Gourmand-oriental, with anise, licorice and a nutty aftertone. Below average longevity and sillage. Very artistic and quite formal, just like most L'Artisans.

Wow, a lot of harsh words on this fragrance. I, personally, find this one to be absolutely irresistible. As far as masculine goes, this one definitely makes the cut with its strikingly woody character. This is, as odysseusm puts it, almost surreal in its accuracy. However, this fragrance is truly an oddball. The notes of sweet honey and hazelnut are unmistakable. In my opinion, this is what makes the fragrance so moreish. When I smell remnants of it on clothes when doing laundry a few days later, I smile. When I wear the fragrance and I catch whiffs of the sweet, woody character, I'm happy I wore it. This fragrance does not develop a whole lot -- from first spray to 8 hours later, it doesn't change much. However, I think it's actually a charming fragrance. Masculine for sure, but the sweet oddball quality makes you think more of a man who has a wicked sense of humor. I don't think it's half bad at all, but as they say, YMMV.

When I was four or five years old, I raided my grandmother's spice rack and poured the contents of various bottles into a saucepan. This is what it smelled like.