Our take
What does La Couche du Diable smell like?
Serge Lutens released La Couche du Diable in 2019, with Christopher Sheldrake composing it as he has for nearly the whole catalogue. The opening is warm and almost boozy: orange, mandarin, cinnamon and saffron. Think mulled wine. Rose and labdanum then move in. A metallic note appears at this point, like the taste of blood. The base turns more austere. The oud stays a shadow and never takes over. Amber, woods and musk give a dry warmth that sits fairly close to the skin. It lasts a long time, but the trail stays modest. This is a cold-weather Lutens, more rugged than friendly. Ambre Sultan remains the house's classic amber. Next to it, La Couche du Diable is spicier and less herbal, with an extra woody roughness. Sheldrake keeps the oud remarkably restrained.
When to wear it
For winter evenings, on skin that likes spice. Two sprays are enough, on the neck and wrists.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. La Couche du Diable is one of 31 creations by Serge Lutens in our encyclopedia.
