Méchant Loup (1997)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Another surprise favorite. This is a deep, masculine scent, and the drydown smells just excellent and dark. The licorice notes up top are pleasant and definitely not overwhelming. I have read a review earlier that states this wolf is like the fairytale mean wolf from little red riding hood. To me, it was much more carnal. Yet it doesnt overwhelm, doesnt shout, and is quite complex. I kept thinking of Varvatos Man, but I'm not sure if these scents are actually similar in drydown.

29th April, 2011.

My greedy skin tears this poor fragrance apart. The hazelnut and honey are prominent throughout all the stages of Mechant Loup, and I don't detect the licorice, which depresses me because I love licorice with a heavy bias. The wet fur connotation mentioned several times before now I know is a by-product of natural honey - I found an old bottle of honey buried in a kitchen cabinet in my youth and commented that it smelled like our dog, who lived outdoors. Funny thing is nobody else caught that particular part of the scent, so I can see why some people notice it here while others do not. Alas, ML does not last on me and the full spread of notes is apparently too busy to come to the door. Nice and cozy fragrance, though. Recommended for a movie night with a love or reading by the fire.

2nd February, 2011.

A less disgusting version of Dzing! The opening of this presents the fecal matter accord, which had me thinking the worst early. Fortunately it disappears within 5 minutes, and turns into a pretty nice honey, hazelnut and licorice.. with subtle dried fruits.

And, as with most L'Artisan's that I've sampled, this one doesn't project very much either (maybe because I'm pouring them on my skin and not spraying for better distribution?), but longevity is stellar.

4th January, 2011.

My father used to have a hazelnut orchard. When I was in my teens every october we picked them from wet, mossy and leaf-covered ground. Then we pared them in the basement, dried them and put them in nice plastic orange sacks for storage. Oftentimes me and my dad were getting cold and wet while working and when back home we warmed ourselves with hot sweet tea or broth cooked with some herbs and home-grown vegetables. This is the first scent I found which reminds me of those days so vividly and explicitly. And of home, and home-related memories and fall.

On me I get two prominent notes, licorice and honey which fade a bit to the end, plus woods and hazelnut nicely rounding and smoothing the composition out and staying on skin a little longer. For more accurate description of notes read previous reviews, as i am still far from being capable of distinguishing and naming them myself. I don't get any "wolf" and "wet fur" connotations and have no idea who and why came up with the idea for the name of this fragrance. Licorice/honey middle accord reminds me at times of chewed out mint gum but the wood and hazelnut undertones somehow warm and tame that accord and keep these associations away.

I'm (finally) in love and i am getting a bottle. Thumbs all the way up.

25th May, 2010.

A warm and enveloping fragrance combining honey, hazelnut, sandalwood and myrrh. But lurking underneath it all is an elusive animalic, musky note which I only detect in tiny whiffs with my nose close to my skin. Quite an interesting composition though I'm not sure how wearable it actually is. And I tire of this hide-and-seek game with Mr. Big Bad Wolf... Come out and get your nuts, Mr Wolf!

5th January, 2010.

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.

13rd December, 2009.