Corrida by Louis Feraud c1966

Louis Féraud’s Corrida, originally launched in 1966 (with some sources incorrectly suggesting 1975), captures the essence of a bold, masculine fragrance tied to both its name and its composition. The name "Corrida" is a Spanish word that refers to a traditional bullfight, pronounced as "koh-REE-dah." The choice of such a dramatic, culturally rich name evokes images of passion, courage, and virility—characteristics often associated with bullfighters, or "toreros," who face life-threatening challenges in the arena. The word “Corrida” conjures a sense of raw, primal energy and evokes vivid scenes of sunlit arenas, the tension of the crowd, and the dance of man and beast. The emotional charge behind the name is one of daring adventure, a duel between instinct and control.

In scent form, Corrida would likely reflect these intense, visceral emotions. As a sporty fragrance for men, it would interpret the vibrancy of the arena with zesty top notes of lime and verbena, offering a sharp and refreshing citrus kick that mimics the adrenaline rush before the battle. The heart of the fragrance would delve into spices, symbolizing the heat, energy, and complexity of the fight, while the woods in the base offer a grounding, earthy finish that represents strength, endurance, and masculinity. The result is a fragrance that captures both the fiery drama of the moment and the lingering impact of the experience.

Men of the 1960s, when Corrida was first launched, would have related to the bold name and scent in a context of rising individuality, freedom, and personal expression. This era saw the emergence of men becoming more open to exploring their identities through grooming and fragrance, a shift from more conservative, understated scents. The name Corrida would have appealed to men who saw themselves as strong, dynamic, and adventurous—perhaps inspired by the rebellious spirit of the 1960s and the cultural fascination with Mediterranean lifestyles, particularly in fashion and cinema.

In terms of fragrance trends, Corrida was unique but not isolated. The 1960s saw a rise in sporty, fresh fragrances for men that embraced bold citrus and aromatic notes, moving away from the more traditional heavy, animalic colognes of the earlier decades. Corrida, with its sharp citrus, aromatic herbs, and robust woods, would fit within this emerging trend but distinguish itself through its powerful and evocative name, setting it apart as a scent that promised excitement, vitality, and a sense of risk-taking.

Ultimately, Corrida embodied both the freedom of the 1960s and the timeless ideals of masculine strength and sensuality, making it a distinctive choice for men who wanted a fragrance that not only smelled fresh but also told a story of daring and intensity.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a sporty fragrance for men featuring lime, verbena, spices, and woods.

• Top notes: Florida lime, Madagascan verbena, Sicilian lemon, Calabrian bergamot, Provencal lavender
• Middle notes: Alpine thyme, Jamaican nutmeg, Spanish rosemary, Malabar pepper, Zanzibar clove
• Base notes: Mysore sandalwood, Virginian cedar, Tyrolean oakmoss, Penang patchouli, Haitian vetiver, leather

Scent Profile:

Corrida by Louis Féraud unfolds with a vibrant, sunlit brightness, its opening a sharp, exhilarating burst of citrus. The Florida lime is the first to emerge—zesty, tart, and mouthwateringly juicy, evoking the warmth of a citrus grove under an endless sky. This particular lime, grown in the subtropical climate of Florida, is known for its potent, slightly floral aroma, richer and more intense than other varieties. The Madagascan verbena follows, adding a green, lemony sharpness that feels both herbaceous and clean, its crisp effervescence softening the citrus sting. 

Sicilian lemon and Calabrian bergamot layer in next, their golden essence weaving between sweet and slightly bitter, the lemon offering a sunny brightness while the bergamot brings a refined, tea-like complexity. The Provençal lavender ties the opening together with its distinctive floral-camphoraceous coolness, a breath of the sun-drenched fields of southern France, its scent more aromatic and sophisticated than other varieties.

As the fragrance develops, the herbal and spicy heart emerges, adding warmth and depth to the citrus brightness. Alpine thyme, wild and sharp, lends an almost medicinal, resinous edge, evoking windswept mountain meadows and rugged terrain. Spanish rosemary adds a bold, aromatic greenery—woody, slightly pine-like, and unmistakably crisp. The Jamaican nutmeg brings a nutty, warm sweetness, richer and more full-bodied than nutmeg from other regions, with a subtle spiced creaminess. 

Malabar pepper—sourced from India’s Malabar coast, where humid monsoon winds infuse the berries with their distinctive heat—adds a sharp, dry pungency, crackling with energy. Then comes Zanzibar clove, deep and earthy, with a dark, almost smoky richness that sets the stage for the base. The clove’s intensity is softened by a lingering sweetness, its aroma reminiscent of spice markets and ancient traditions.

The dry down is where Corrida truly settles into its bold, masculine identity, rich with wood, moss, and leather. Mysore sandalwood, revered for its creamy, velvety texture and warm, almost milky depth, anchors the base with its smooth, lingering presence. Virginian cedar follows, clean and dry, its pencil-shaving crispness grounding the composition with a steady, unwavering strength. Tyrolean oakmoss adds a damp, green earthiness, evoking the dense, shadowed depths of old forests. 

Then there is Penang patchouli—sourced from the Malaysian island, where the soil and humid climate yield a darker, richer patchouli, deep and slightly camphoraceous with a hint of chocolate-like warmth. Haitian vetiver lends its characteristic dry, smoky, and slightly nutty aroma, its roots absorbing the mineral-rich soil of the Caribbean to create a complex, woody depth. Finally, the scent is draped in the dark, animalic sensuality of leather, raw yet refined, adding a supple richness that lingers long after the rest has faded.

Corrida is a fragrance of movement and contrast—sunlit citrus against deep woods, cooling herbs against fiery spice, all grounded by the unmistakable strength of leather. It is both invigorating and commanding, a scent that wears like a second skin, unfolding with the warmth of the wearer, revealing new facets as it lingers.

Bottles:

Presented in the same chunky diamond-cut glass bottle as used for Feraud's Justine,  but this time in a sophisticated black . The box is masculine with a red name plaque on a black and white checked background, finished with a nut brown band. The scent, an Eau de Toilette, was available in four ounce and eight ounce splash bottles.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still sold in 1975.