Jungle L'elephant For Women

Jungle L'Éléphant, 1996, is one of the loudest fragrances any designer house has released, and it has a cult following precisely because it makes no concessions.

Cardamom and cumin open it — genuinely spicy, almost savoury — with mandarin trying to lift it. The heart is mango, licorice and clove over ylang-ylang, and the base is a heavy vanilla, patchouli, amber and heliotrope construction that will sit on a scarf for a fortnight. One spray is the correct dose. In cold weather it is magnificent; in August it is a mistake.

Eau de parfum, 3.4 oz. For women.