L'Autre
Diptyque (1973)

This just so happens to be my all-time favorite Diptyque in that it is so bold, warm, and intense. It is true that the caraway overdose in this does bring a bit of skank, but contrary to other descriptions, it is tempered by the more well-mannered (in comparison) coriander and cardamom.

The opening to my nose is bright bergamot and lemon petitgrain; while the notes aren't listed here, they really are more than present, smelling authentic and are a wonderfully clean contrast. Also, the pepper in L'Autre seems to be white pepper, which is far more animalic, earthy, and musty than black pepper. I love using it in cooking, and I've always wanted to experience it in a fragrance due to its scent profile: here it is a strong supporting player and really contributes to the oddly austere funk. God, its so delicious. I can see where more milquetoast noses would shrink, these aren't Disney-fied spices, folks. They are raw, brutal, and gorgeous.

Also, other reviewers insist that they smell an overdose of cumin, but it is in fact caraway, which is somewhat similar of a scent profile but more rye-like (due to its extensive use in rye breads) and more peppery. Caraway couple with the (white?) pepper may be perceived by certain noses as more cumin-like. I suppose this would be tantamount to arguing the visual differences between fuschia and magenta: to some, its obvious, but to others, close enough.

The more this dries down on my skin, the more I adore it. It is raw masculinity juxtaposed with genteel refinement, but a woman could pull it off for sure or could use it for layering. I would recommend this to lovers of the similar clean/skank duality that is the iconic Eau d'Hermes or even those who appreciate the darker, earthier elements of Declaration, particularly the EDP. Bravo, Mr. Kalougine!

10/10

Indian cooking spices galore!

Yes, powerful cumin and cardamom combination with patchouli in drydown support. The effect is that of a serious bottle break in the kitchen with the dry sharp cardamom powder mixing with the cumin. If only we had some tumeric to round it out.

Not at all unpleasant as some other reviewers find it, but quite strong. I imagine it is the way the skin of Indian merchants might smell from exposure to the pounding into powder of the plants themselves.

Turin's catch phrase of "garam masala" is 100% inaccurate as that spice is sweet and redolent of the scent of immortelle. L'Autre is a unique and compelling masculine, emanating in an almost smoky aura, very sexy and seductive. Two thumbs up.

It's a landmark of 70s weirdness and rich hippie style but it lacks the body of a proper perfume. I love the smell of it--it is stale and armpitty like nothing else from the bottle but is more fresh lemon and patchouli on skin. Like L'Eau Trois, however, it lacks tenacity and a strong base and goes flat and sits too close to skin. Am I the only person that thinks, "If only Diptyque L'Autre were stronger"? I mean, if a person wishes to smell like this in the first place I'm sure they're not the type that wants to be subtle about it. I don't have time for EDTs and subtlety!

Edit 10/2: I've come around to appreciating the lightness and transparency of L'Autre, which makes it very wearable. Its quiet sillage is a fine patchouli which seems ground and powdered like peppercorns via its collusion with the other spices. From the bottle I reliably get shocking body odor, but on skin it stays aggressively fresh and lemony like a cologne. The EDT is a masterpiece that must be acknowledged as the prototype of the polarizing Serge Lutens spice rack orientals, such as Chypre Rouge and Serge Noire. Between this and L'Eau, Diptyque had astonishing influence on 90s niche. The first Comme des Garcons EDP can be seen as a combination of L'Eau and L'Autre, if you think about it.

I love spices- reading about the history of their diffusion in the Western world, discovering the chemistry behind them and, of course using them while cooking. I've recently started making my own mixes- garam masala, pain d'épices mixture, ras- el- hanut- having a lot of fun with my mortar and pestle. Now, as I love smelling the garam masala mixture sizzling in the pan and I love finding fragrant traces of it in my kitchen even a few days after, I'm really ill at ease with feeling like I've rolled in it! Cumin- not too sweaty- a lot of cardamom, fenugreek, something herbal fresh and aromatic (thyme? laurel?) on a thick, slightly oily, sweetish resinous base... Although I appreciate the originality of the formula, the strong association with Indian food makes it unwearable for me.

I thoroughly enjoy "dirty" leaning fragrances, so I was excited to get a bottle of what I'd heard was the skankiest juice around.

Ultimately, it wounded up being far more pleasant than I'd anticipated. Although the first few minutes are spice overload (hello, Cumin!) and almost vinegar-y. But then a lovely dry-down; it smells warm and ancient.

Projection is not significant; I haven't had any comments on it from neighbours/co-workers. It lingers quite close to the skin once its mellowed out.

The "humanity" mentioned in other reviews is here, I suppose. For me, it's a romantic fragrance with a slight leaning toward the erotic, but not too confrontational to wear. I'll enjoy wearing this through the winter months, for sure.

A powerful, spice based fragrance which will not be to all tastes. Bold cumin and coriander seed soften out into dusty asffron and wood nots on the dry down, revealing a certain unconventional elegance and more than a hint of what I will generously call humanity.

Try before you buy, this is a polarising scent which induces rapture and disgust in equal measure. A great favourite of mine, but one to wear for yourself, and almost certainly 'nsfw' as they say.