L`Anarchiste Caron for men

I am usually attracted to - and fascinated by - controversial scents so naturally I became quite curious about Caron's L'Anarchiste after having read all the buzz about it online. I also intended to buy it blind - not that I had a choice, as Caron products are practically non-existent in Hungary, not even in better-equipped perfumeries have they heard about the brand. Today, my girlfriend completely surprised me with a 100 ml bottle straight from Amazon, and I decided to review it as critically as possible, and try to go mythbuster on the buzzwords "smells like blood", "vampire juice", "gunmetal" and "unwearable".

First of all: the packaging and presentation are striking. I pulled the box out from a Burger King paper bag in our kitchen (it was shoved in next to a couple of burgers as part of the surprise), and I literally stopped mid-movement when I looked at how elegant and well-executed the stuff looks like. The paper, the type-setting, the embossed Artaud quotation in the inner sleeve, not to mention the bottle itself - even more expensive perfumes have never given me that impression. I literally felt like I was coming out of an expensive luxury boutique with the box in my hand. Two thumbs up!

About the scent - I agree that a lot of the reviewers overdo the myth a bit. The first whiff initially struck me as aggressive, in-your-face and crispy, but nothing unbearable. It reminded me a bit of old-school Italian after shaves I used to smell as a kid, a little bit like Malizia or Pino Silvestre. Citrusy, fresh, a little off-beat, but at the heart really unique. The green, crispy notes started to subside almost immediately, and after five minutes or so, the stuff started to work, leaving the orange (which indeed does smell like apple a bit) - and the menthol. Something about the menthol note: maybe I am unaccustomed to it in perfumes (I only use Le Male that has any in it), but for me this thing RADIATES it. Especially on clothes - it's been hours, and the menthol note simply does not leave, even though I'm at the base notes now!

After the top notes have gone, it's interesting to see how the scent gets warmer and warmer, and also more spicy - though the cinnamon note is really subtle and well-blended, so it's not as in-your-face as I thought it would be. I think that's the contrast between the hot and icy notes that most reviewers describe as "disturbing", and although there certainly is a metallic tinge, it reminds me of cold aluminium or iron instead of "blood", "gunmetal" or "rust". It's also almost imperceptible, along with the distinct but well-blended "wood smoke" characteristic - if you look for it, it's pretty much there, but it doesn't stand out at all. It's also too weird and still not sweet enough to be called gourmand. I definitely don't percept it as "apple pie filling", let alone anything edible. This is also the darkest, most "predatory" phase of the juice.

Base notes are slightly musky and have a good measure of cinnamon - and still the menthol - it has a cool, fresh, slightly metallic quality, verging on floral a bit, I can't help thinking about black tea leaves. It's also a bit powdery and definitely dry, but maybe the powder's just my imagination.

I have yet to test it tomorrow for longevity as my nose is getting overwhelmed with the scent, but my girlfriend keeps on telling me how all our three rooms plus the kitchen smells of me wearing this (with all windows open), so the sillage must be insane. I keep losing tracks of scents after a couple of hours when testing, but here I can still distinctly feel it everywhere, I think it's somewhere on the level of Le Male's strength.

What's true about L'Anarchiste is that it's truly a one-of-a-kind scent, there's nothing around that resembles it. I still think that it's not the most rebellious one - though certainly bold - and anyone with a little out-of-line attitude can pull it off with little difficulty (okay, maybe it's just me, so test it first if you can). It's certainly classy, playful and a little-bit two-faced - an excellent brew!

(I'm going to update in the next few days after I'm through with street testing :))

ordered a sample of this from perfumed court, amazing fragrance, all of caron's fragrances are quality..this one just.. bang !..crisp, masculine i will be purchasing a full bottle. this one rivals the 3rd man in just the interesting catagory..such a beautiful fragrance for men. try a sample..you won't be dissapointed.

This is a quirky and enigmatic men's fragrance with a distinctively tangy and raw metallic edge (like a coin that's being sucked) that generates conflicting emotions in me. It's dark, fruity and musky and I want to like it more for this reason alone, but can't for some frustrating reason. In stark contrast to Azzaro Chrome for example, I get a vibe of something surprisingly cold, dirty and...er, rusty whenever I smell it. I finally offloaded my virtually full bottle to my father, who seems to like it although it may be revealing that my brother had originally offloaded the bottle to me because he didn't like it at all. My wife really likes it though and reckons it's quite sexy...bless her.

I acknowledge that it does smell quite unique and non-conformist in which case "L'anarchiste" is an apt name. Thus on the right type of man (grizzly and a bit of a bohemian I could imagine), I reckon it would smell quite awesome - and sophisticated.

Remarkable-looking bottle by the way, although its cap looks too small and mine wouldn't stay on securely either. Unusually, I also found that my sprayer would "shoot" the perfume in a powerful stream with rifle-like accuracy rather than spray it diffusely.

Finally im not all stuffy and can really smell and review this. I have a small vial and dab it on, havent tried the spray. On first application it smells like light woods with a slight aquatic note to it. It soon develops into something That reminds me a lot of womanity in that fresh airy watery smell. I think this may be the vetiver as it sits with everything else? Very smooth and sweet a perfect balance of muskiness, woods, and herbal sweetness. Would recommend for anyone to try

One word: GREAT!


People should stop talking about that applepie/vampire/blood thing!

This is just amazing perfumery not something strange in anyway. Carons L'anarchiste is all about musk and some dark fresh notes.

As i sprayed this on my arms for the first time, the whole room was flooded by it. It nearly changed about 6 times until it dried down to that awesome!!! musky scent.
It began with an explosion of orange and wet musk, then it settles down into some minty orange but really warm. Maybe its like putting some orange skin on the heater.
After that it became more and more a powdery warm musk scent.

I ADORE this! But handle with care, because the musk can become a real killer :)

I just got this cologne today, and I love it!
The scent opens with a bold, yet refreshing blast of mint. As the middle notes come into play, the sandalwood can be sensed, if one pays close enough attention, as it is wrapped by Virginia cedar.
There is a hint of musk, but it isn't overpowering.

This is also a very distinctive cologne-- I have never smelled anything that truly resembles it. It stands out from the crowd (to use a cliché) in a very strong manner.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to be distinctive, deep and mysterious. (The unique combination of notes adds to this.)
The only drawback I can see is that its strength can have a negative impact on people who are very olfactory sensitive, but I can wear it with no problems (and there are a lot of perfumes that I cannot wear).

One of the most intriguing fragrances that I have ever come across.

A dominant cinnamon smell mixed with some sort of metallic note, resembling the copper bottle (which I have seem some people associating with blood, since we have iron in our erythrocytes)that projects and lasts a very long time. A must try for any man who wants to smell a fabulous creation that sadly went to underground side of fragrances.

Oh, and despite I cannot see the resemblance with blood, I can see the associations with toothpaste at the end of this fragrance, since I can smell a minty aroma in the air.

Unforgivable fragrance (hope Sean John would forgive me). Very attractive,flamboyant,powerful,shining. A kind of hurricane involving everything it meets into its epicenter,charming,exciting,driving insane).Meanwhile significant,profound,unbound.A fragrance for frank independent strong people encouraging for deeds and victories) Less noble fragrance but more brutal than other Caron masculine "perfume-wonders".

it comes from the world of Vampires

Most of the latest reformulations that Caron made on many great perfumes of their past have been a total disappointment. L'Anarchiste was included in the list but it (somehow) survived to the massacre. In fact, despite beeing reformulated, it still mantain some charm. A fresh opening with a spicy (cinnamon) and slightly metallic apple note joined by mint and a little vetiver (clean interpretation) and laying on a solid woody base. A fantastic, multi-faceted everydays scent that fears no seasons. Buy it before they change the amazing bottle design and the juice and then rename it as "Le Conformist Sport".

Rating: 7.5/10

I expected so much more from it! L'Anarchiste is full of contrasts and paradoxes, but unfortunately my nose doesn't seem to like that amount of information.

The opening notes scream toothpaste. Some sort of mint-cinammon toothpaste. I personally find it very very unpleasant. Later on, it will get soapy and develop a woodier smell, the mint will behave better, metallic/animalic undertone will rise. But still, I always find it misplaced. Maybe because too many things are happening.

I understand who find this sexy, cause it's quite dirty and a bit messy, and disorients people. I should warn you though: it doesn't translate "bad boy", as it would look like, but rather smells more like an old times perfume. Total mind-bogging stuff, so if you like this kind of puzzle go on and buy it.

I almost don't wear it. I'd say I worn it only twice in a year, and it didn't fit. I'd happily give it away or swap it, and the only reason I don't do that is the bottle. The most interesting bottle I've seen. Apparently it'll get rusted with time, and that's truly amazing.

At the same time that I value L'Anarchiste a lot for all its concept, I don't feel good at all wearing it; and I still won't give it away. A messer, a true anarchist, you see.

This is definatly one of those sweeter woody scents that in the beginning is very orginal and unusual, but after several test becomes to linear and left me not wanting to wear it. If you do like this scent, it seems like it can only be worn seldomly and not an everyday scent. Overall 6/10 for the originality.

ich habe so meine vorbehalte gegen die herrendüfte von caron, pour homme, yatagan. ich hatte mir diesen duft leider gottes im janauar 2005 gekauft, aus einer laune heraus, aber ich muss sagen das es nach verrottender orangenschale und alter pefferminze riecht, schade für die tolle aufmachung.
es riecht schon fast ein wenig peinlich.

Thank you Fragrantica for reading my"missing fragrance"post and including this one.
L'Anarchiste,a dark,metallic dynamite of originality.It isn't a scent for well behaved sporty gentlemen.

It is indeed a flame in the dark.Yes,it is the night perfume of a man who is a bit dangerous.

I can definately sense mint and maybe myrrh,apart from the ingredients mentioned above.

Sharp,still rich in a way that caresses,almost comforts the senses.Ambiguous,like a man that makes true love with a knife in his back pocket.

L'Anarchiste is another great scent from Caron. I sampled it on myself first, not realizing that it was designed as a men's scent. It's a bit dry and more woodsy than most women's scents, but it is totally wearable for women. My husband also loved this one and it smelled amazing on him.

It's not especially complex, but it's another scent that proves there is still beauty and interest to be found in simple scents. I've heard some folks describe this scent as smelling like apples or apple pie. I didn't get that from it at all. Apple wood? Yes, a bit. Apple tree, but not apple blossom or fruit. This one is all about the base notes. The orange top notes are not sweet or juicy, but they somehow save those dry woody base notes from being too saw-dusty.

L'Anarchiste is a very interesting scent and I've not smelled anything else quite like it. The sillage is fabulous and this one lasts a good 6-8 hours. The bottle is terrific, too!