Musc Ravageur (Frédéric Malle Editions de Parfums, 2000, Maurice Roucel)

Musk, cinnamon, tangerine, bergamot.

Musk Ravageur is a gloriously complex frangrance: all day long it evolves and matures through different, fascinating stages. I can't possibly put into words how interesting and multi-layered it is. What I can put into words, though, are the two notes that keep coming back and back and back, which are:

• one of those oranges with cloves stuck in it; and
• sweaty animal.

If that sounds disgusting, this perfume probably isn't for you, but I think it's wonderful. I'm going to stop wearing it in summer, though, since I keep reminding myself of Christmas.