Reviews of Musc Ravageur (2000)
by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

Overall Musc Ravageur is a gourmand niche take on musk. The opening is a non-chalant expose of bergamot, citrus, and white flowers followed by a spicy, edible heart of carnation, cinnamon, vanilla, rubber, and possibly nutmeg. The base notes reveal a little bit of clean musk and surprisingly…more vanilla. Decent, but probably not worth the over $100 price tag.

Blame it on the numerous positive comments ranging from supportive to enthusiastic, I heard and read about Musc Ravageur, but I was so disappointed from the very beginning. I was expecting something more musky and exquisite and I just got a nice sweet scent instead. Perfumers sometimes, in their effort to create scents that stand out and actually make the difference, come up with interesting but strange and misleading blends, and I think this is the case for MR. Strange opening (sorry, no bergamot for me, just a sweet and oily lavender note) that leads to a loud cinnamon spice heart that gets better with time. Not great though. I can see the use of cinnamon as a way to innovate, give power and some longevity to the blend, only I am not sure it will please the majority of Musc lovers (they will have to search a lot in order to find a note that resembles to musc, at least at its usual form). The base is quite pleasant but fails to project its woody character. More feminine and definitely not sexy for me.

The heart of the scent is all creamy vanilla with a sprinkle of cinnamon, with a powdery feel that is reminiscent of opoponax. Perhaps that's why a reviewer recalls Guerlain's Shalimar. I find MUSC RAVAGEUR to be rather gourmand-esque if it isn't for the animalic, rather dirty note that I presume to be a deftly rendered musk. However it is notoriously elusive. And oddly enough, despite being a denser element the musk is more noticeable in the opening minutes but pulls a disappearing act thereafter. Musk lovers will no doubt find this disappointing but it is the fleeting nature of the musk that makes this more wearable. And if what I hear is true, the musky note retains a subtle presence in the sillage even if it seems odorless to the wearer. Just don't expect Musc Ravageur to be the sexy beast the name suggests when its charm is closer to that of a cute pussycat.

When I look for musk, I'm not looking for "nice" musk. Musk Ravaguer opens with a sweet warmth like candied fruits and creamy woods and stays this way throught. I don't get any notes that are remotely animalic, musky or sexual. Sillage is moderate. I guess I'm more of an MKK kind of girl. Now if you want to experience something really dirrrrrrrrrty, layer MKK with a little Onda (smile/wink).

UPDATE: I was so disappointed that it wasn't the dirty scent I was looking for that I failed to appreciate how pretty it actually is. At this point the weather is hot and I'm noticing things about it that weren't coming out as much in the cooler weather. Also the sillage is better in heat. While it's still not dirty and sexual in that MKK kind of way, it's a scent that's beautiful enough that people witll notice and for that I'm changing my rating to a thumbs up.

Mostly vanilla and cinnamon to my nose, over a fecal, yet somehow strangely sexually-attractive musk. It's not dirty per se, like Musk Koublai Kahn or Kiehl's Musk, but there's a strange fecal musk in the base that's leathery and magnetic. This stuff has a definite "wow" factor to it – it'll make you take a double (if not triple) sniff in a row - that is, granted you can smell the musk in it... To explain what I mean by that, I need to bring to light the fact that some people think this smells like cinnamon buns, and just cinnamon buns, while others say it smells like sex. This leaves me convinced that some people are anosmic to some of the many different kinds of musk in Musk Ravageur - and believe me, there's a lot. The musk is actually what makes this what it is - without it, this *would just be cinnamon buns. And so, no wonder people are sometimes underwhelmed by MR.

In terms of wearability, Musc Ravageur is a little more feminine than masculine, but definitely unisex IMO. I feel a little weird wearing this, as it's kind of like a leathery, dirty vanilla fragrance, but it's just so strange and intriguing that I can't help wanting to smell like it. It's definitely not conventional. I'm still torn on whether I love it because it smells great or because the musk in the base is so strange and compelling, but either way, Musc Ravageur is a terrific creation that's incredibly enjoyable.

9/10

MR is a pretty dynamic, spicy, vanillic scent over a soft touch of agarwood and musk. it comes across as a creamy vanilla and cinnamon based scent with nice touch of woody notes than musk..not sure what was the idea/concept behind it..but it sure smells sexy.

Musc Ravageur smells nice, but I don't find it particularly musky or ravaging. Vanilla and cinnamon seem to be the main components here, although the musk is present in the base. Really, I find Musc Ravageur to be remarkably similar to Shalimar, and I would recommend the eau de parfum of the latter over a bottle of the former if one were to choose a between the two. Musc Ravageur is a good scent, but I don't think it quite lives up to the hype bestowed upon it.

This review is of the EDP.

Maurice Roucels' first composition for the house of Malle, Musc Ravageur (MR, 2000) is a strangely mainstream debut addition to a line which claims to be without compromise. Roucel is well known for his lush, big chested, expansive compositions such as Tocade et al, and his (recent) bewilderingly slavish attachment to 'bettering' classic Guerlains (in the guise of 'inspiration' in promo materials).

There's nothing ravaging in MR...nor is there a whole lot of musk (atleast none that I can detect). The lavender-cinnamon/clove-woods structure is hardly novel...it was first encountered in 1995's smash hit Le Male. Ofcourse the quality of ingredients in MR is much higher. The opening blast of bergamot and medicinal lavender is instantly ushered into a cloud of dense spicy vanillic woods (an accord responsible for the 'cinnamon bun' comments). As this gourmand Dunkin Donuts accord descends into a tonka-vanilla base, the vanilla-cinnamon combo becomes even more prominent...the vanilla is in raging form here, clobbering any musk there is in the composition to sticky bun oblivion. Hours later I perceive a decent demure musk note peeking out to see if there's anyone still conscious after the bakery assault...

MR can provide gourmand comfort with one or two sprays...if you are the type who spends hours standing near the local bakery to take in the sticky bun aroma, splash it on, MR will be heaven. The composition is well made but hardly unique or novel. And the name is a total misnomer. I heard that it was kicked out of the 'G7 Musk society' by Kiehls, Koublai Khan and others for falsifying profile data..

Note: MR Oil has a stronger more evident musk note, albeit it lacks the EDPs more complex structure.

Rating: 6.00/10.0

I find this a combination of rich and plain; a Bavarian cream of an oriental, fun and uncomplicated.

There is a distinct "cinnamon bun" accord in the top, the gourmand association of cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and I think mace giving it a dessert-like quality. Soon it dries down to a rich, creamy, yet oddly petrochemical musk. I found myself hunting for something to compare it to - tar? parrafin? new boots? - but the closest I can come is the smell of black indelible marker. This isn't freakish or experimental at all, it's just that the piquant edge to this fragrance is not animalic to my nose, but rather a distinctly clean and man-made note that makes this fragrance wearable as opposed to merely appetizing.

I find this pleasing and wearable in all weather. I find the sillage good, but not overwhelming, and the longevity exceptional. I think a lack of complexity here prevents me from being more enthusiastic than I am, though. It's such a nice accord I kind of wish there was more TO it, but perhaps if there was it wouldn't be as personable and all-weather as it is. As of now, I don't find it bottle worthy. I don't think I'd ever get sick of it, but I just might get bored...

I really don’t get all the praise for this one. As for being sexy… well, there are certainly sexier scents out there.

During the opening, all I get are cloves and spices. This persists for the first 2-3 hours on my skin. However, a lovely transformation soon takes place, where it evolves into this delicious vanilla and cinnamon scent. Unfortunately, that’s really as good as it gets.

Firstly, its sillage and longevity isn’t as great as others have stated. On my skin, its sillage dies down quite considerably (especially within the first couple of hours) leaving a lingering skin scent that can only be detected close-up. Personally, I would have liked a lot more ‘throw’.

Secondly, I strongly sensed some déjà vu about the drydown. At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it and then, suddenly, it came to me – Hermèssence Ambre Narguilé! Yes, the drydown of Musc Ravageur smells almost identical to this Hermès creation. Of course, this was released first but, if I already owned Ambre Narguilé, I would certainly not need to own Musc Ravageur as well.

As for which one is better, I really have no personal preference (simply for the fact that neither of them have much longevity or sillage). However, if you don’t like the smell of cloves and want to go straight to the drydown, get Ambre Narguilé instead.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

Have to say, I am not wildly impresssed with this at first. It seems odd to me that there is spice sandwiched between a rather skinny top and base...clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, seem oddly out of place in a citrus/lavender with a thin white musk. More to come as I retry....

Starts off very sweet and feminine, but after a while it gets more butch.
(Or perhaps just more medicinal?)
I agree with Ms. unstableisotope, this could very well be considered a modernized version of Shalimar (my grandma's fave, btw) and I've no doubt that on her skin it is 'magnificent vanilla' etc. Great on women. Not for me. Pass.

Musc Ravageur

My first fragrance from the house Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle.Solidly, well made perfume, it is pleasant to wearing.Thumbs Up.

Three days ago I picked up a sample of Musc Ravaguer from Skin Cosmetics in Amsterdam. The very same day I wore the fragrance to properly review it for myself. My first sniff of MR reminded me of...... medicine; a very sweet and sexy medicine! I applied one spray on each wrist first. I took another big sniff from my wrist and was amazed by the richness of the smell. In the opening MR is warm and relaxing. I just couldn't stop sniffing my wrists. At last I applied one spray in my neck. As I leave the store I couldn't help but notice there was already a cloud of dark sweetness floating around me. MR sticks to my body like some kind of freaky aura!

After about half an hour the medicine smell evolves into a sweet masculine scent. Notes of Lavender and Cinnamon prevail with a hint of vanilla. At this point a young girl walks past behind me. I can hear her body inhale and her nose sniffing the air behind me. She yells at me from 2 metres distance; "Dude! That perfume you're wearing smells soooo good! I give her a smile and then reply; "I know." The range of MR is phenomenal. As I'm walking I just can't stop smelling myself. I even turn in circles just to smell the scent spread out.

It's now six hours since I applied MR. Now the scent is turning more darker and softer, but still remains present. The sweetness gets soften out and darker notes of Sandalwood and Tonka of take their place. The scent is fitting for the view; as the final stage of MR illuminates the sun is setting slowly in the horizon. I think I've fallen in love...

It takes more than twelve hours on my skin for the scent to fade away, and even now traces of sweet Clove and Musk are still sniffable on my skin. Musc Ravageur is a sophisticated scent with excellent longevity and extraordinary range. The perfume is sweet, warm, intimate, sensual, sexy and even erotic. I love it! Maurice Roucel has made a true masterpiece.

Vanilla, cinnamon, wood, musk, tonka, and a bit of of funk. I'm not sure what the funk is, perhaps it's a musk I've never smelled, perhaps it's natural musk? I didn't think that natural musk was legal.

Anyway, this dries down nice and powdery, but a bit to feminine for me. Shame too, because it rules.

Before commenting on this fragrance, you need to know I am a bit anosmic to musks. For the most part, I do get the smell, but it is muted and I have to concentrate to detect the actual musk notes. That being said, my first impression of Maurice Roucel's Musc Ravageur is warm and richly spiced and lightly powdered vanillic musk. The spices and vanilla come across more prominent than the musk, but that could just be me. Comforting - yes - but sexy too! This one makes me want to go skin to skin, absolutely lost in time...Never having been caught up in any hype over this one, sampling it seems like I've discovered a treasure! Definitely unisex. Very wearable, unless you have an aversion to vanilla. Two thumbs way up!

Very sexy and medicinal. All about cinnamon, clove, vanilla and musk, so you get the picture. Great sillage and longevity. Very linear, I think. Last all day. Soo soo good that its even boring!!!

Received a sample of this in the post but think it must have bee wrongly labeled - I got the most gorgeous smell of one of my favorite flowers, Lilies. So think the must have actually sent me Lys Mediterranee. If not then I must have the weirdest nose...

I've given it neutral simply because I don't think I had the right one, but I did love what I was sent and will be trying to smell some of both to see!

doesn't live up to the hype. the musk in here is very very weak, and someone aptly pointed out the other day on the forum that this smells like cinnamon buns....SO TRUE. not worth the price or the hype. there are much better musk scents out there.

OMG!!! I so LOVE this perfume!!!! I tried this wonderful fragrance a while back after smelling it on another woman and finally identifying it, purchasing a bottle, reading reviews about it on Basenotes...the rest is history!

The smell to me is indescribable. The wonderful, heady combination of sweet musk, spices, cinammon, clove, nutmeg, tobacco, amber is something that one has to experience for themself. There are also hints of bergamot, tangerine & citrus in this fragrance and unlike what others have stated, I smell only a little wee-bit of vanilla...not an overwhelming amount (that would be a big turn-off for me...lots of vanilla).

I love this scent 'cause it's not floral or flowery AT ALL! Another aspect of this fragrance that I love is that it doesn't fade, wane or change too drastically over time...to me, Musc Ravageur has tons of holding power!

This perfume is smoothe, warm, sensual, erotic. I have had people run up to me when I have gone out wearing this perfume, asking me, "What is that scent you are wearing...OMG...I have never smelled anything so wonderful!" I do get that type of reaction when I wear it, which is difficult for me because I am quite modest. This perfume is not really for the modest but I love it anyhow.

Wearing it places me into a dream state. I feel soft, calm, hypnotized and relaxed. Sometimes, if I'm just sitting at home at night or on the weekend, I spray a bit in front of me just to be near the aroma. I have a favorite Stadium Silk Scarf from Venice and everytime I place the scarf around my neck...I get a whiff of Musc Ravageur...what a wonderful surprise!

I love this perfume but I can truly see how it is NOT for everyone...what more can I say???

I had read so much, and for so long, about MR and MKK in Basenotes, and, not being able to decide which to buy i got both at the same time! Thanks, Basenotes.

MR is a sweet musk unlike "dirty" and animalic MKK, and the musk, cinnamon, clove and vanilla are well projected, especially here in the usual 34+ degree (C) temperature. Musk and vanilla are the dominant notes though. The sillage is not close to the skin, as i had thought it would be. Actually, it makes its presence felt, rather pleasantly however, from all the feedback (read compliments) received.

Multiple thumbs, all up.

One of the biggest niche classics ever, I guess. Lots of cinnamon and civet in the opening - it can be a bit offputting if inhaled too deeply.

Yes, civet. Although it`s not listed as in official notes, it doesn`t take that much of a nose to smell that this one has civet in it. It`s very obvious after all.

No doubt this is a masterful blend technically speaking : The balance is a miracle and it smells very chic (when applied moderately). Cinnamon and cloves predominates, while the tonka beans and vanilla make the composion very sweet, very powdery. Dash of smooth woods in the base. And lots of that civet from start to finish.

Well done, but it`s not for me or my lady. I basically should love this one, but the ultra sweet powderiness with strong animalic presence makes it very unpleasant in the end.

Highly recommended for everyone to try.

Opulent, decadent, theatrical, sweet and strangely pungent, this is one wild fragrance! If I went to a perfume museum, I might spend time admiring this. But if someone said, "How about wearing this?" I would have to say, you've got to be kidding! This goes best with opera pearls and elbow length gloves. If my wife wore this, I would feel a little sheepish in the restaurant as the waiter would likely give me a funny look. Wear this to work, gents, and people will talk.... a lot.

Malle Musc Ravageur and Renee Musk Comparison

Left hand: Frederick Malle Musc Ravageur (Oil)
Right hand: Renee Musk

Musc Ravageur--It has been a really long time since I have smelled MR, and only now have I had access to the fragrance again. For some reason, I thought MR was closer to MKK, but now it doesn't seem that way. At the start, I smell sweet musk and spices. The musk is like other sweet synthetic musks I have smelled, and I actually don't think it is super special. What is more special is what is with the musk, in this case, I smell cinnamon, clove, and maybe some nutmeg. It is the pumpkin-pie 1-2-3 punch, trio of spices. I suppose if MR had a little bit of fruityness, it really could be a pumpkin pie fragrance rather than a musk, but I digress. It is either fading fast, or I am getting nose fatigue. I don't detect much progression--it is pretty much staying in the synthetic musk with spices space, although the edgyness of the spices is wearing off a bit, making it a bit smoother and very warm.

Renee Musk--For some reason I remembered that this one started with a sort of pee note, and thought it might be civet. Even in Scent Bar last week, I smelled the pee note briefly when the fragrance was first sprayed on the strip. Wearing it today, what is more apparent is the poop note (aka manure), as this so-called musk is actually very leathery. It has a castoreum-like scent which includes manure, leather, bandaid/antiseptic, etc. The musk is actually very subtle, and seems to be more of a carrier for the leather. This one is also developing very quickly. The castoreum is having its typical progression away from the horse stable and more toward the leather horse saddle. The musk is nearly undetectable at this point.

I must be very honest--after trying some synthetic musk notes in the note identification project, it is clear to me that the quality and concentration of the particular musk aromachemical is of paramount importance. The synthetic musks are mostly ho-hum, with hardly any depth or breadth, so I think they 1) rely heavily on other ingredients to make them shine and/or 2) end up being used as a base because they aid in marrying notes rather than being the star attraction.

As a result, my impressions of FMMR and RM are really not so good, because I think the musks are not so good. They lack the complexity and longevity needed to be the central note in a fragrance. And the other notes which are supposedly supporting the musks are becoming insipid--it is as though they have no base notes. On final analysis, I also have to disagree with statements that FMMR and RM are the same. They do smell *similar* when first applied, but they diverge rapidly.

If I had to pick between the two, it would be Musc Ravageur, because Renee Musk is really more of a leather scent, and I think it is better compared with other leathers rather than other musks. As a former Coty Wild Musk girl, neither of these satisfy me.

Musc Ravageur sits proudly as one of my top 5 fragrances.
The sweet, spicy opening remains all the way to the end. In fact it's development is quite linear but that's OK! It stays close to the skin but the longevity is impressive; I get 8 hours.
It radiates a warm ambery note and for that it can be classified an intimate scent - I wouldn't call it sexy but it does work well on my skin.
It is by my subjective reckoning a beautiful scent, especially worn at night.

I REALLY LIKE this one! Warm, heavy, very sensual with decent sillage and great longevity. Two notes dominate Musc Ravgeur: cinnamon and clove. Cloves are something I have avoided in fragrance since I tried Kouros – which I did not like and I associated my dislike with its clove presentation. MR has readjusted my thinking about clove: it works really well with the cinnamon. I don’t get much of the bergamot/lavender opening: it seems to get overwhelmed quickly by the heart notes. Nice base of vanilla, supported by wood and musk notes. I can't say that the cinnamon and clove ever really makes a full exit. A special scent for special occasions. Recommended!

Dirty sweet vanilla. This is no holy grail, more like French knickers served with honey. It’s a love/hate fragrance, an erotic intrigue or a sweaty sherbet.

Fantastic musky sweet amber. It's like the scent olibanum without the dark overtones. Just beautiful. Very heavy so don't overspray.

Absolutely LOVE this stuff!!! Makes me want to jump myself, thank goodness it has the same effect on females :-P. Everything else has been said, it lives up to all the hype.

I detest the opening. For some reason this particular lavender/citrus accord on the top with tons of clove poking through doesn't work at all well on my skin. When I first tried it I thought, "Oh God, this is gross!" I was growing very tired of giving it time do develop and was on my way to the sink to wash it off when all of a sudden the musk/vanilla/sandal accord (which is the true star of this show) materialized at once. My heart melted! Mmmm! As if I was channeling Edina Monsoon, I yelled "This is the one, sweetie!" I am making it through the very generous sample sent to me by the good people at Frederic Malle, and I'll be ordering myself a nice big bottle of this juice! I may even learn to love that strange opening.

Well. It's either sex in a bottle... OR the smell of an ageing Russian pervert. Wear it if you dare and pray you come off as the former rather than latter! I am attracted to the smell (I sprayed some on me and my husband - had to wash it off me, but on him it was interesting), but this is quite full on. I can't get the image of a hairy chest with heavy gold jewellery out of my head. Hmm!

I don't know what to say about this fragrance that hasn't been said already. It's simply stunning. Very potent (I hardly ever put on more than a single spray), good sillage, astounding longevity (put it on after I shower in the morning and I can still smell the drydown quite clearly when I hop into the shower 24 hours later), very intoxicating and addicting.

Starts out somewhat spicy then goes to a gorgeous vanilla drydown that lasts seemingly indefinitely. Honestly, I don't apply this anywhere other then my neck/chest anymore; any other place and I'll just wind up smelling my [insert body part here] every 30 seconds. It's just that good. And it's not just me: I might only have been wearing this for a week now, mostly around family and such, but everyone else loves it too and keeps asking me what it is. And that's NOT something I regularly get, let alone in such short order.

Really, just buy this stuff. It's gold. Yes, I might cost just as much, but the beauty, power and longevity of this scent make it worth every last penny and then some. And actually, since it's so potent and you only need to apply a fraction of what you would another fragrance, it's actually "cheaper" then you'd think since you get so many more applications out of the same size bottle.

Bottom line: BUY THIS!!! Or don't... because then it won't so so exclusive anymore... and I'll hate you. :-P

But really... heavenly.

Like bottled sex. I don't know how that association happened, for me, particularly when I look at the pyramid of notes. Many of them are favorites, but nothing in the list would suggest to me a scent to make one blush. It smells like sweaty genitals covered, minimally, with flowers and a dusting of powder. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wouldn't wear this to work!.

I don't think I can join the bandwagon on this one. Just too powdery for my taste. I think the idea of a gamey musk combined with soft and sweet is pretty inspired in a way, but it's also flirting with disaster, and I'm not sure this one actually stopped short of the precipice, at least on my skin. Neutral rating for the quality ingredients and the recognition that this might work on some people (especially women).

This is newly becoming one of my favorites. I finally bought a bottle after months of living on samples, and having a lot of it around is very comforting.
It's incredible as many have already said so I second all of those comments. I get adamant compliments and I'm pretty much addicted to the smell. I had some on the back of my hand the other day and stayed glued to it all day.
One of the best. Maurice, you do good.

This has such a strong "old-lady" connotation to me. I had prepared myself for a sexy animalic musc, but the sweetness was overpowering, and there was a sour opening note that persisted and was actually a bit nauseating (like incontinent old lady). Had to wash it off. Twice. I'm disappointed that I was persistent in bidding for my sample; should have let it go at $25.00....*sigh* Live and learn...

I tried Musc Ravageur along with Muscs Koublai Khan. This one is clearly better for women. (We're used to sweet, vanillic scents. Some men think it is too sweet, so they should head straight for the MKK.) I prefer this one. It starts out with a sweet, candy, cardamom note that is absolutely delicious. The fragrance becomes quite powdery and soft, very warm and significantly ambery. Ever since my old Coty Wild Musc was made thin and weak, I've been looking for a good replacement. This is not the same, it is spicier while the other was vanillic, but it is a good candidate and a nice musk for women.

Musc Ravageur is far from the titanic scent that many tout it to be.

Nonetheless, it is a remarkable scent with very likable qualities. With the name "Musc Ravageur" one might expect animalic musks to dominate, but this is a tidy and relatively linear composition where creamy tonka, fragrant woods, soft lavender and warm spices prevail. There is something mildly synthetic about this scent - when I first experienced it, I recognized the perfume of old colored erasers that I once collected in primary school... soft and aromatic. But the combination of fragrant spice and precious woods suggest a warm amber-like feel here which prickles at the back of the nose.
One can sense the use of quality ingredients, and a remarkable sensitivity in their application, but Musc Ravageur is not the roaring lion that many expect. It does however boast impressive sillage and great longevity to boot, but it is a scent that I'd consider a well-made middle-of-the-road niche release. To me, its appeal is in its lack of complexity, and the striking warmth it radiates.

I thought I was going to love this. I am all over musk and many heavy hitting fragrances, but this fragrance seemed like a ruined mess to me. I have a general aversion to top notes, especially citrus, and this dearie blasted them out. The sweetness was cloying...it actually stuck in my throat! The muskiness, from the woods and tonka combines, fell a little flat, and seemed a bit nutty,which was not pleasant, reminding me of old, cheap shoes. Their bite got lost in the citrus for me, which seemed to sour on both me and DH.

If you want a dark, sweet musk with no "modern" topnotes, please try BPAL's Snake Oil, MKK, or even, and yes I dare to say it, Coty Wild Musk.

This does not at all live up to the hype. I passed my sample on.

I've tried some scents with enormous reputations (Jicky, Tea For Two, Amouage Gold, and Santal Noble come to mind,) and been terribly disappointed in how they smelled on me. Not Musc Ravageur.<br><br>I have to agree with every jot of hyperbolic praise that's been heaped upon this scent. Starts out sweet, but not cloying, and dries down through phases of complex spice, wood, animalic notes, and vanilla-musk. Almost tangible in its sensuality -- you just want to reach out and stroke it. A bit over the top? Maybe, but impossible for me to resist. Good sillage and moderate lasting power. Most certainly a "desert island" scent for me. Kmfdm10392 once wrote that "Jicky is the only unisex fragrance that matters." Well, move over Jicky, 'cause you've got company.

MR is not a very complex scent and tries too hard too impress imo. I love its delicious beginning which has more to offer than the sickly sweet drydown which I can't stand any more and is btw very similar to T4T base. This is a romantic dinner/night out scent with good longevity, would never wear this to an office. There are better alternatives in this category imo, Angelique Encens being one of them.

A walking olfactory work of art! However, I love the stuff. It's flamboyant, sexy and sticks to you like glue. Somehow when I wear MR I just fell confident. Could potentially turn off some guys as it does have a thick, sweetness to it especially at first spray.You'll have to be the type of guy that can pull it off cause The dry down is mellower and that's when the "dirty" feelings come in. I loved the stuff so much I purchased the oil version. Much more linear that the spray. The EDT is the bomb! I wear this for the ladies, but definitely for that special "lady" that you want to impress and have her remember your smell long after your gone. I swear I’ve sprayed it on like at 8pm and by the following mid-day the stuff is still on you. My Fav cologne!!

Hmmm...to give this a thumbs up or a neutral?

Well, this certainly isn't something I'd wear. I can see how this would be labeled unisex, some guys could pull it off, I can't. I would label this more towards the feminine side of the unisex frags.

The other reviews have pretty much covered the scent, not much else that I can say other than it's something I'd buy for a girlfriend, but not for myself. The vanilla-musk is very sexy and entoxicating.

A romantic scent that doesn't keep its raw intentions hidden at all. Musc Ravageur is a very flirtatious muse. I could not wear it at first - too carnal! and too flowery! Too bold, I thought. But the impression it left could not be forgotten easily so I came back. Surprise - no rose nor musk at all in this sexual drag queen of a frag!

The in-your-face deep floral kiss is actually a vanilla/gaiac wood blend dressed up as a rich rose oud. The sexy musk is a mix of earthy cumin oil plus equally smoky tonka which combine for a raw sexy musk powder. Both the faux flower and faux musk notes join nicely for a deep and lusty affect. This is a scent that makes me blush when I apply it - but I wear it anyway in the right situation.

I was expecting much more from this scent because of the fact that I love musk. I guess I don't love all types of musk. The vanilla note after the drydown was the only pleasant note I could find and even so, I still find that note more effeminate.

Musc Ravageur-I love this on others, on me it was less than good. I am happy to read that so many people love this, it means I may smell it more often on the bus, in the grocery store, present in my life without wearing it myself.

A wonderful scent - fresh and medicinal at first. The dry down is mellow, remotely sweet and very sexy. Although the spicy notes remain present thoughout the fragrances' duration, their subtle manipulation with the lavender and vanilla is most astonishing. A fantastic "unisex" fragrance - clean/spicy/sweet.

I spent 4 weeks researching on perfume and its response in order to find my holy grail. Along the way, I found Musc Ravageur.
This perfume has quite a twist on my experience. After reading some review and description on the catalog, I believed that this was the one.
Then, when I went to the shop and try it, it didn't smell anything like what I expected.
I expected it to be quite old-fashioned, strong, seductive, sensual, sweet, intense for that 'naughty' effect. However, it is quite light even though it surely deep and dark. At the beginning, I think this is not sweet enough for me. It's like lady in sin city who kill her husband with a gun while what I am looking for is a lady who kill her husband with a dagger, poison ivy, a honey trap.
Then I went to Amouage at Harrods and been exposed to Gold. Then I discovered that Musk is truly associated with the 'naugty' effect I am yearning for.
Then it made me turn back to my sample pack of Musc Ravageur again. Oh my, this is it. Strangely when I looked at the ingredients, there is no musk there at all.
However, I haven't bought it yet as I would like to compare it with Musc Kloubai Kahn from Serge Lutens. Lets see who will win my heart for this 'naughty'ness effect I am yearning for.

I love this stuff. The first time I sprayed it on, I thought "Shalimar!" - and indeed, they are very similar to me. But Musc Ravageur is like a streamlined, modernized Shalimar. The thin middle of the wearker modern reformulations of Jacques Guerlain's masterpiece have been removed, the edges rounded out and filed down, and the whole composition pulled together into a seamless and definitively sexy scent. Maurice Roucel shines here, and for that, I can (almost) forgive him for creating L'Instant. Provisionally.

On my skin, Musc Ravageur is magnificent vanilla, anchored by sandalwood and gaiac wood, with fleeting hints of bergamot dancing about. I don't get anything particular animalic in any overt way, it's more a feeling of musk than an in-my-face *musk*. Which made me sad until the fragrance worked its way into my heart. Now it is all love.

I recommend the EDT of Musc Ravageur over the oil form - the oil form doesn't let the fragrance fly like it truly needs to to shine.

This is by far the best fragrance I have bought! A classic superb smell, dark, luxurios and unique, but at a cost!

This smells like a mink coat. Great for winter. As others mentioned, this is for a confident woman who is over 40.

I have to say this was one of the bigger let downs for me. I was expecting this to be the holy grail of scents, sadly I was mistaken. This opens up with a very strong licorice note, black licorice at that. From there it got better, though it did take two hours. I cannot imagine spending the money for this however.

Great scent !

I sprayed some on this morning, smelled amazing...10 hours later, still smells amazing and only slightly wore off. I can't help but smell wherever I sprayed it, i'd probly be doing the same thing if a girlfriend was wearing it too. Definetly worth a try !

I bought this at Barney's in Manhattan a little over a year ago on a whim and I am so glad that I did. Some call this "sex in a bottle" but I feel it's sensuality in a bottle...a great lover, not a tawdry trick. Although not for everyone (what fragrance is?) I feel it absolutely matches someone with a kind of self-awareness and confidence that exudes attraction.

One of the most disappointing fragrances I tried in a long time. For all the hype, I am not at all impressed. Far too strong, dries down in a fairly citrusy musc that is strong but lacks character. It's too heavy from beginning to the end and definitely unattractive. It's the ultimate men or women repeller if you'd ask me. I wouldn't even dream to wear this on a date unless I really cannot make the person get off my back. Wear this smell and at least this problem is sorted:)

Possibly the greatest unisex fragrance ever made -- absolutely WONDERFUL stuff. I don't get the "disco" and "moose on the loose" vibes with MR at all -- on the contrary, it's very sensual and powdery and rich on me, and I get TONS of compliments from both genders alike. I don't find it feminine, either -- just very intricate and (again) sensual and altogether intoxicating. (I find myself sniffing my arm all day long after applying this stuff, much like Acier Aluminium, JHL, Leonard Pour Homme and Havana Reserva.)

It's true that I shudder at the thought of having to plop down another $110.00 (plus tax) at Barney's every time I use up a bottle, but I'll do it again and again as needed -- because this glorious stuff is indisputably worth every red cent.

This is sooo sexy spraying it on makes me want to sleep with myself. So find someone else to spray it on you, cause they will want to sleep with you then.
On a serious note: while this is sex in a bottle, it's not really dirty, but who say s plain vanilla can't be fun, too? In fact I was at first slightly let down by the dry down, but only because Ravageur comes on so incredibly and delectably powerful in the top and the middle. Meanwhile I've concluded that it's simply a brilliant concoction, and who cares about top middle or bottom as long as you're having fun, right? Not just thumbs up on this one.

This was a big disappointment for me. I really wanted to like this one based on its praise and popularity here, but something about it just didn't click with me. It reminded me of A*men's drydown but with a citrus accord replacing the chocolate. I'm not very fond of prominent citrus notes (especially orange) blended in Oriental scents ala Hanae Mori and John Varvatos. Not only did I find Musc Ravageur disappointing, but I had to wash it off because the lingering citrus note annoyed the heck out of me.

this is a new experience for me. at first it was extreme, too musky, overt and in your face. this was in a store, i was told to let it warm up on my skin. by the time i got to the office, in the mid afternoon, it changed, it mellowed, got deeper (i don't know the vocabulary of the nose) the change in the vanilla, clove and lavender was great. you must be judicious. It's not ladylike and it's not for girls. this is a truly adult fragrance.

Yum yum. I was hoping for something similar to Muscs Koublai Khan, and in the sillage, it definitely is. Skanky, foody, bodily musk. Still, there's more to Musc Ravageur. The skin scent is more sharp and dry and spicy, almost vintage-like, from the cinnamon. At first I thought almost too much so, but then it mellows into a wonderfully spicy and warm and cosy scent, sweetened by musk and vanilla. It has a dry, powdery aura from the amber note as well, and I love amber. It is a more pleasant scent than MKK, I don't deny that, still I prefer MKK for the totally unapologetic dirtiness of it.

I don 't really see this worn by a man! I agree it starts gender neutral with a subtle masculine touch but it rapidly gets powdery and feminine throughout the vanillic french 'nougatine' drydown. This musk is sexual, any hot confident girl should own this modern sensual oriental.

I didn't really like this particularly at first, as I found the opening too balsamic. However, this gradually grew on me, and I find it to be the perfect musk scent. MKK is absolutely gorgeous, but I find few situations where it would be appropriate to wear it, this is more versatile. It has a slightly gourmand quality with a faint hint of Coca Cola, but don't let that put you off. Sublime!!

this stuff is almost toxically musky I felt I should be carrying a gun to protect myself from lonely mooses on the looses.

trying it a few times I felt maybe I was putting on too much, but even one spray is like. . . being instantly transported to and trapped in a late 70s pre obsession sex club / disco "last chance for romance tonight..."

will try a spritz the air and walk past next time, and probably layer something else on top!

this is one, if you're crazy about it, be sure to check with someone honest will let you know whether or not you simply stink to high heaven

still you can't help liking this stuff for being so extreme and for the sense memory.

This is one of my favorite scents. I wear two colognes only. Koublai Khan and Musc Ravageuer.

Adam

To my inexperienced nose this is a classically hairy-chested masculine fragrance. The notes and movement of this fragrance are better described by other, more knowledgeable Basenotes members. I've worn it, but it smelt somehow 'wrong' on me. However, when I sprayed my frightfully butch, perfume-resistant hubby, suddenly it made sense. It's very sexy on a man in an old-fashioned, slightly seventies, way. If you're a woman, by all means try it, but also try the classics: Tabac Blond, Bandit and Poivre.

Very nice. Romantic, sexy, like a rolling swinging samba for the nose. Add a little charm and sweat. We're on! reserved for special occasions.

My nose must be developing. The first few times I smelled Musc Ravageur, I was wowed by what I thought was a rather straightforward, yet high quality, musk, vanilla, and cinnamon scent. Wow, was I missing the show! The topnotes are hard to place - sharp, bitter, and ever-so-slightly animalic at the same time. As the bitter top fades, the cinnamon and clove become more apparent, as does the musk. I love this musk! This is not the average "white" musk, but a somewhat stinky, animal musk that is like a toned down civet. In my previous testings I had also relegated this one to the colder months...what a fool was I. As I sit here now, in hot, humid weather, I tell you that this scent's sweetness is just right - not cloying in the least. I did use a light dusting of the fragrance, but still, no problem wearing this for me. As it dries further, the vanilla comes more to the fore, but this is not the typical boring sweet vanilla of many designer frags, you know the one that reminds one of cheap vanilla ice cream. Rather this vanilla is more like pure vanilla extract - naturally sweet and almost herbal in feel. MR deserves its place in my wishlist for sure!

blech! i had high hopes for this one. i figured anything sold exclusively at barneys would be excellent. not so. this smells like i dabbed some cooking vanilla on my wrist. what a waste of money even for just the sample.

The opening citrus and the musk-amber form intriguing counterpoints that make Musc Ravageur so interesting and sexy. Musky-ambery citrus, I love that citrus top note in the opening, in fact, MR is just plain enticing in its simplicity and in its delivery: No apparent florals; musk and amber form the core of the scent; bergamot and mandarin for the high register; cinnamon for the base; and vanilla for the proper touch of sweetness. Every once in a while there’s a whiff of animal notes, and (I may be imagining it) there’s the slightest hint of chocolate in the background. Now here’s where I may run into trouble with other lovers of this musky beauty: I can’t avoid thinking of Gucci Envy when I’m sniffing it. MR doesn’t carry the Envy notes as far as Envy does, but there is a prelude to Envy accords here. Of course MR is superior in refinement, and much more sensual and more potent in impact.
Musc Ravageur is a lush and incredibly sensual fragrance through every stage of its long life span. It has quickly become a paradigm for luxurious sensuality. If you love musk, you’ve got to love this one.

I love this smell! It would be great on a woman, although the only girl who's opinion I asked said it smelled like bug spray... If you are a man, stay away. Why this is a unisex frag, I will never know. 24, Ca, USA.

I admit to being a musk lover but this has to be one of the most well done musks going. It's both a soft and a slightly spicy oriental blended into the sexiest fragrance I've found. I find people of both sexes and all ages sidling up and asking me what I'm wearing. I prefer the Oil and hope never to be without a bottle

much better put together than epices noir in my opinion, very sweet and musky with a bit of amber and perhaps some woods? however it doesnt really have any je ne sais quoi to it to make it bottleworthy. this will end up another sampled and filed perfume in my history books.

I wish there was something more than thumbs up for this one. It's fabulous. Cinnamon and musk combine to make a sexy and sweet scent that never fails to take me on a ride with each wearing. It has gotten big compliments and is one that does something different, and each time wonderful, with each application. It's scents like this that make Malle so highly regarded. A must try for musk lovers.

Hypnotic - knock you over sexy - unbelievably gorgeous - rich - warm - addictive...An oustanding musky-vanilla-sandalwood-spice dream.

It's great for having an intense love affair with...whoever is nearby. And for that alone I give it a thumbs up. But I simply cannot imagine wearing this on anything close to a regular basis. It's one of the richest scents i've experienced. I smell a peppered up Pi mixed with the drydown of Burberry Touch. You can almost feel it entering your nose like syrup. Makes me feel like a porn star!

This smell is not good. I had to wash it off within 20 minutes. It smell exactly- And I mean identical- to that cheap perfume "Tabu" that you can get at walgreens. And that will only cost you about $15.00. Thank goodness I got a sample 1st!

I was left feeling indifferent about this one. I did not love it and did not hate it. I got a spicy amber scent with a hint of musk. Thats about it. Perhaps I missed something and more testing is needed but I was not moved enough to propagate another testing. I will not own this.

Hands down, THE sexiest scent I've ever had the pleasure to wear. Spray this on your clothes when you want them to ripped off, but make sure to get some on your body too so the effect still lingers after the clothes are gone. :)~

I love this one. It's my favorite Musk scent so far. Starts out heavy but subsides into a wonderful mixture of lavander, bergamot and vanilla. I sprayed it on before I went to sleep and put a smile on my face. A must for musk lovers!!

My brother asked me if I just finished baking swedish cinnamon rolls when I wore this today. That has to be seen as a huge compliment!
I don't really like the harsh intro, but the drydown is absolutely wonderful!

Fits in all occations, not too much sillage!

It starts out like a powerhouse, lots and lots of lavender. After a few hours however, the opening act leaves, and out comes the headliner: the cinnamon, vanilla drydown. A delight!

I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Oriental fragrances, but this one knocks my socks off! It's unexpected and exudes sex appeal like nothing I've experienced from a bottle.

By far my favorite musk scent - spicy and oriental and ambery. There are some harsh balsamic topnotes that can really bother me if I overapply. Sometimes this feels like the perfect scent - extremely sensual. This is also one of those cold-weather scents that I find myself wearing in the summertime.

One of the best musc-perfumes , around in my humble opinion , though there is no musc listed. Maurice Roucel knows his job , that's for sure.
Very potent , although it ultimately becomes a skin-scent , so sparing use of it will serve you well. Just a drop is enough. Other than that it is curiously spicy , animalic , very soft in a sweetish way that reminds me of tonka and very warm with a background of amber. Cuddly for winter nights and would surely elicit compliments if worn by the right individual. Prim and austere or girly-bubbly types need not apply

Musc Ravageur is an awesome blend that takes you to a lemon tree in a lavender field on its topnotes. The citrusy-fresh accords transition seamlessly into a creamy vanilla yet retaining their zest. Hints of phantom chocolate titilate you like Maurice Roucel's moustache. Dries down to exotic, sensual, creamy woods

MR is one of the most well made fragrances I own. That’s the case with almost every Frederic Malle fragrance, but this is a standout star. This is a warm Oriental made with total balance and precision in mind. Vanilla, Musk, Cinnamon. This is what you would get if you took Shalimar and had a brilliant perfumer give it a modern and abstract touch – all minus the citrus of course. It’s simply brilliant. It’s a work of art in the world of perfumery.

A provocative oriental if you can get past the highly aggressive elements of cinnamon and clove and don't mind the also rather pronounced lavendar, which works on some (men and women) but doesn't always agree with my chemistry. The drydown phase is very sweet and not all that intense for a musk; the name implies something far more savage than the relative tameness of the musk here delivers. I like this fragrance fairly well but don't find it spectacular. Some may be offended by the assessment, but Musc Ravageur is not all that far removed from Estee Lauder's Cinnabar or YSL's Opium in spirit. This one is more clear and "clean" than those others but has the same attitude of spicy-sweet sexy oriental.

Musc Ravaguer is a staple in my collection-- I must admit it took some time to grow on me, though. At first spray, the smell is strange and very pungent to me-- a funny metallic, medicinal, synthetic, bleach note permeates the scent. I do not get the citrus, lavender, or spices others do. Wow, it hurts my nose-- but within 30 minutes Musc totally changes. It becomes so rich and dark, a bit sweet-- like A*MEN smells on the skin the NEXT day but not so gourmand, more sexy. The initial pungent note lay in the background hinting at perhaps sweaty skin, dirty sheets, and hmmmm? I wear Musc Ravageur out for evenings when boyfriend and I need to re-ignite.

"Good night, Doctor, and [ahem] good luck, for you're a cheetah on the prowl I should say!"

Funny my valet should have spoke this to me the other night, for I was certainly feeling the same. That is, until [b]Musc Ravaguer[/b] stalled out in the mid-notes and became cloying with its ambery sweetness. My kitten didn't seem to mind, indeed not one bit, but I truthfully grew somewhat tired. The musky, ambery, vanilla, tonka'ish mix also had a faint artificiality to it. I'll try it again, and though the response was everything I could have hoped for, I didn't enjoy the scent itself as much as I thought I would.

Wicozani

Musc Ravageur is my favorite Malle fragrance, that I've tested so far. I like sweet orientals, and this is one of the best I've tried. I smell vanilla at first, with only a small amount of bergamot and citrus, then the cinnamon comes out, blending nicely with the amber. I don't sense a lot of musk in this, but it's there (not dominant). Almost perfect, but it does turn a bit too sweet for my tastes on the drydown. Love it though, and think everyone who likes sweeter orientals, should give it a try.

a gnetle kiss, a medicinal coldness to keep you to the ground, an animalic note to tempt

I didn't know quite what to make of this fragrance when I got my first whiff, but I knew that I was in the presence of a great work of art. A very forward fragrance that is pronounced, but also warm. The soothing vanilla and the lush amber seem to dance with more piquant and provacative spices. This should be worn with confidence. Very sexy! Can't wait to try the body lotion.

Musc Ravageur leaps from the bottle, a stealthy tiger whose opening roar of citrus and cinammon alerts you to its presence. Passing soon into the camoflauged background of ambery musks with faint whiffs of chocolate, the scent beckons you in closer. It wears comfortably close to the skin, as if the epidermis were magically made of silk. People will notice it, but not from a great distance. A minimalist composition with maximum effect. This is the reason I see perfumers as artists of the highest order.

Amazing, rich, deep and dark. Very sexy, envelopes you in a sensual cocoon! Makes me feel like some god of the night.

Aptly named, except for the fact that it is more amber than musk! this is ravishing, bold, sensual with woods and spices galore. Very full-bodied, cozy, sexy, stirs the imagination.

Smooth yet strong spicy-ambery oriental with deep musk notes under. When sampled I've just liked it but not that much to call this a masterpiece. Explicit amber note reminded ETRO Ambra without its woods. Maybe it's all my skin but it hadn't developed impressively.

The fragrance is ravishing indeed, but on me it disappeared, even when augmented by the body lotion.