La Couche du Diable Eau de Parfum

La Couche du Diable (we'll choose to forego some of the raunchier translations and simply call it "The Devil's Bed") was bound to cause a fuss- after all, throughout his many releases, Serge Lutens has never before featured oud in a fragrance. But with that in mind, don't expect anything resembling a typical oud scent. Oh, there's an unmistakably high-quality oud in here- darkly woodsy, warm, and sweetly balsamic- but its more challengingly animalic tones are, if not subverted, at least channeled into resinous cistus and syrupy fruit-and-rose combination that incite a sense of deep, seductive comfort. Serge Lutens' own copy describes La Couche du Diable as "a diabolical and sumptuous veil of indulgence and remorse for a first transgression." We'd agree, up to a certain point- but if we're being honest, when it comes to this stunning fragrance- remorse doesn't even cross our mind.