Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle

Lavender, Bergamot.
Cinnamon, Clove.
Sandalwood, Cedar, Guaiac, Vanilla, Tonka Bean.

I have avoided sampling Musc Ravageur since its release in 2000 for no other reason than the name itself did not appeal to me. Yes, that is childish, but we all have reasons that we gravitate toward certain fragrances and ignore others. I have a few favorite musk scents, but for the most part, I don't enjoy the way the note is auditioned in numerous others.

Over the years, I have read what others have said about Musc Ravageur. Quite a few have had rather disparaging opinions and the reasons they gave for not liking finally compelled me to try it. I was intrigued by the animalic remarks and since I like that aspect in other fragrances, I broke down and ordered a sample.

Allow me to say that I do not get any animalics whatsoever. What I do get is a spicy oriental with woody undertones. Musc Ravageur is very tame on my skin and any implication to something feral is misleading.

This is a semi sweet vanilla fragrance with a powdery tonka note riding shotgun. The opening of Musc Ravageur is a mild citric lavender with a very good clove note integrated into the accord. The cinnamon note is tuned to accent the clove and together they make for an enjoyable duo. The spice seems to compliment the woods perfectly on me and the only fault I can find is that the cedar, sandal and guaiac are too passive.

As Musc Ravageur dries down, the vanilla and tonka pick up a little steam and the sweet quality escalates. I don't find it cloying, but it does push the envelope just a bit. The spiciness seems to keep it grounded somewhat and keeps the base from becoming uninteresting.

A more dominant wood conglomerate would have been excellent, but the attenuation is mild and as such, Musc Ravageur leans more feminine than shared. Regardless, this is a very nice fragrance that would smell lovely on the female persuasion, especially in the cooler months.

Sillage is good and longevity is more than satisfactory. You will smell this for an entire work shift or evening out without a problem. Thumbs up from Aromi for Frederic's Musc Ravageur.

*****There is a musk in the drydown, but again, it never resorts to animalic and is a nice rendition.****

Comments

  1. It is thumbs up for me too, I got the oil version.

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  2. Glad to hear you like it Rola. It seems this fragrance polarizes people, yet I find it very wearable. The oil version must be intense !

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