Méchant Loup by L'Artisan Parfumeur, 1997

I didnt apply, I literally poured this on my skin to be able to smell something, to only regret it a little later. Not that this is an overwhelming fragrance, quite the opposite, I could only smell it by sticking my wrist right under my nose..but what I could smell then was some anise, licorice and somewhat leathery mix sticking to my skin like something oily - a feeling that I get from some leathery scents, and not one that I like.

Very interesting. I'm immediately reminded of Sheldrake & Luten's Jeux de Peau. Warm, cosy, slightly gourmand and definately masculine. It's a skin scent for sure as there is very little projection, but it does seem to have great longevity.

Smells just like the anise cookies that my Moroccan grandmother used to make "Galettes à l'anis". Meanwhile it's not a heavy gourmand. Anise, honey, hazelnut. Lovely.

Bassett's Licorice Allsorts with faint "hockey glove accord" -- I like having a sample around for the sense memories it conjures, but would rather wear Saffron Troublant or Premier Figuier.

This remains a "concept fragrance" for me. And why? Because I have to spray it in doses which I consider to be unhealthy. I need a heavy application to notice this scent, and it is gone very quickly. Thus wearing it outside is impossible. But sniffing at the bottle...heaven! Concerning the aspect of melancholy: I agree. Méchant Loup speaks of that beautiful sadness of a man without hope; in this respect it is a sentimental fragrance. A lone wolf, maybe once the leader of a pack in times that are long gone; a loner whose wounds are healed but whose scars are hurting now and then, when reminiscences of the past glow in his eyes and the tired heart beats faster. To be worn by dreamers only.

Nutty, woodsy, musky, deep, sexy. Quintessentially masculine as well. The hazelnut and honey combination is absolutely killer. I don't find this to be in any way evocative of the big bad wolf. There's nothing even remotely lurking or dangerous to me. It's instead classy and warm and extremely versatile. I can see myself wearing this as a student, and I can see myself wearing this when I'm 40. It'll flourish anywhere between moderately warm and slightly chilly temperatures, in formal or casual situations. I think this is the grand opus of the L'Artisan house.

This is a very strange, original fragrance. I am no expert. This smells at first of animal urine mixed with nutmeg. But I have noticed it quickly dries into something unique, soulful, and warm. It smells "toasty" after a bit, with a hint of nutmeg, smoke, and sweetness. It's definitely unique and not objectionable at all. It does not even smell like a cologne. It smells like someone's past.. or a castle (review is dead-on about the castle).. it smells of an era vs a scent. I cannot describe this scent any more than to say L'Artisan must be a unique company to have dared something like this. Even the bottle is nice and upscale. I have received compliments from women on this, and even they said it smelled not like cologne, but "natural..like spring, or a season.." That's saying something, considering all the fragrances out there.. Like the 4th scent I've been asked about by others.. in a positive manner!

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.

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.

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.