L'Insoumis
Lalique (2016)

Lalique's offerings flit back and forth between designer and niche profiles, and L'Insoumis probably fits in the no man's between them, which has left it in search of an audience.

It's a modern, sleek fougere with boozy facets, dominated by a duet between a slightly abstracted, creamy lavender and sweetened patchouli. There are herbal tones here, too (basil), but everything is smoothed out, rather than more naturalistic/aromatic.

Given my personal leanings, I would prefer a spikier lavender and herbals, as well as a rougher patchouli, but that would firmly bring it into the more classic territory of a Caron pour un Homme flanker rather than a modern designer. With bigger distribution, it's not hard to imagine L'Insoumis working well as a daily driver for those who enjoy the Prada Luna Rossa approach to modernizing classically masculine profiles.

L'Insoumis by Lalique (2016) wasn't and still isn't a very popular fragrance in Lalique's masculine lineup, which may be why it seems all 100ml bottles are just about dried up in the market outside of resellers asking for too much money, and the remaining 50ml bottles seem plentiful and heavily discounted. Like Hommage à L'Homme by Lalique (2011), this one is likely killed off and remaining inventory is being sold through while Lalique focuses more on Encre Noir by Lalique (2006) and its many flankers, which seem to do really well. Sad, because while this isn't the most revelatory thing ever released (nor are most Laliques), it is quite good and strange, which seems to be the way Lalique likes 'em. Fabrice Pellegrin penned this one, and it has very astutely been compared to the later B-612 by Nishane (2018) which I loathe, and the much-older Straight to Heaven By Killian (2007), due to the rum note. The much more commercial L'Insoumis Ma Force (2018) flanker would seem to do better with the target market than this one, showing once again that samey, risk-adverse fragrance is the foreseeable future in this space until a crash occurs.

Neither comparisons are wholly accurate, but I give them nods all the same for their piecemeal assessment of specific facets found here in L'Insoumis, which is altogether the more interesting and complex fragrance between the three, and the best. The bold claim of reinventing the lavender fougère for the modern era is a bit unfulfilled here, although I can tell that this is a definite twist in the structure. The sweet rum note mixes up with aromatic basil before the lavender fougère fireworks go off, followed by vetiver, patchouli, tonka, and the "Clearwood" captive from Firmenich that Lalique felt confident enough about to advertise being in the fragrance itself, providing some woody nuances. Bits of clary sage and black pepper build out the aromatic backbone of L'Insoumis while the sweet rum note is just sticky enough to keep this scent from smelling like lavender scrubbing powder. B-612 on the other hand goes full metallic and grating, so I can't abide its presence around me. L'Insoumis feels like a more artistic response to Dior Sauvage (2015), with good but moderate performance, and a similar spiky lavender as the later Prada Luna Rossa Carbon (2017). Rounded, clean, and vaguely fougère is this.

Some compare this to the scent of artificial grape, and while I definitely can see why they may say that with the way the lavender materials interact with the sweeter elements, I don't think this has quite the "grape" punch of many violet or neroli materials used by brands such as Jacques Bogart in its Silver Scent (2006) or others of that ilk. If you've smelled anything from the 2000's playing with violet accords mixed with neroli, or anything in a purple bottle, then you know exactly what I mean. For me this is a keeper, as it's chic and modern in all the right ways I want something abstract like this to be when I wear it out to a bar or restaurant, while avoiding being too childishly cloying or attention-seeking like many competitors flying the same flag colors but with a much-more desperate, frantic hand. Since this one is on the chopping block, if you can't get a good deal on it, then just pass along to the next, as there is absolutely nothing about L'Insoumis that screams "gotta have", and it certainly isn't worth paying "collector's money" for it. In fact, if you go much above maybe $80USD, you're being taken for a fool. Shame this never really caught on. Thumbs up

Nice fragrance, reminds me a lot of Oscar de la Renta's Gentleman, but a bit softer.

A decent if not above average juice from an underrated fragrance house known mainly for making glass. There are many launches by Lalique and I own 7 different bottles and I'd say I truly enjoy most of what I have.

L' Insoumis possesses decent performance and it certainly is not offensive. This type of fragrance can be worn daily and would be a nice choice if you're taking a girl out on a date, etc.

L' Insoumis is also on the masculine side and even though it can be worn daily I think the fragrance itself can be classified as a top drawer scent that's timeless and artistically refined that goes well beyond the overall average product.

Woodsy, aromatic and modern, L' Insoumis quietly envelopes the skin and has notes of Basil, Bergamot, Rum, Black Pepper, Clary Sage, Lavender, Haitian Vetiver, Patchouli and Moss.

8/10

Smells very similar to Ferrari Uomo, which I think is an excellent cheapie. It's slightly sweet, very clean, and extremely versatile. Probably won't be a favorite of young guys, but it just smells very pleasant and is easy to wear.

My only issue would be that it costs more than the Ferarri currently and performs about the same, maybe a little worse. Projection is average and longevity is about 5-6 hours.

Great men's fragrance. I don't find this to be super heavy on me. It has decent longevity and projection. To my nose it is sweet, clean and slightly spicy. I really enjoy it and for the price I find it a complete winner. Enjoy!