Perhaps one of the most popular male fragrance collections in recent memory, Dior Sauvage deserves the accolades it receives. This well-balanced contemporary male fragrance line was created by French perfumer legend Francois Demachy.
Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette was launched in 2015. This crowd-pleasing fresh and spicy aromatic Fougere was an instant hit; it was well marketed, performed incredibly, and most importantly… smelt fantastic.
The moodier Eau de Parfum version was released in 2018, followed by the spicier Parfum version a year later. Now in 2021, Dior has added the deep Sauvage Elixir to the collection; a sure-fire hit? Let’s find out.
Sauvage Elixir vs Parfum vs EDP vs EDT
It’s time to put all four versions of Dior Sauvage to the test, Elixir vs Parfum vs Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette. I will review each fragrance individually and then declare the outright winner at the end.
1. Dior Sauvage Elixir
Review
Dior Sauvage Elixir was launched in 2021 and is a smouldering combination of spice and wood that smells masculine, mature and complex. This Francois Demachy offering takes the collection to a new level of depth.
I love the bright opening of zesty grapefruit liberally coated in spicy cinnamon, earthy nutmeg and vibrant cardamom. The heart of lavender lifts whilst coumarin introduces hints of moreish vanilla.
Things get interesting in the dry-down. Smooth sandalwood and vetiver are invigorated by liquorice and earthy/musky patchouli. The lavender/spice/wood trio work incredibly well together.
Settling to a sophisticated fusion of spice, wood and lavender, Dior Sauvage Elixir is perfect for the cold autumn and winter months, perhaps chilly spring days too. This high concentrate elixir version will last 8+ hours with excellent sillage and projection.
Top Notes:
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Grapefruit
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Coumarin
Base Notes:
Liquorice, Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver
Price & Reviews
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2. Dior Sauvage Parfum
Review
Dior Sauvage Parfum was launched in 2018 and is a bit of a curveball. I was expecting it to simply be a deeper and darker version in the range, but it seems to lack the spicy vibrancy of the original EDT and EDP.
The fresh opening of bergamot and mandarin is soon overwhelmed by a smooth sandalwood and cedar heart that adds a welcome boost of masculinity.
Upon dry-down, vanilla brings lift, with tonka bean adding a bitter almond note which is incredibly classy; olibanum injects a spicy/green/sweet balsamic note.
Settling to a confident, warm, woody/sweet balsamic masculine scent Dior Sauvage Parfum is ideal for late nights out during autumn, winter, spring. Performance is decent at 6+ hours, creating a subtle bubble around you with reasonable sillage and projection.
For me personally, Sauvage Parfum is the one I enjoy the least of the four as it’s just a little too muted compared to Elixir, EDP, and EDT versions.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Mandarin
Mid Notes:
Sandalwood, Cedar
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Tonka bean, Olibanum
Price & Reviews
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3. Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum
Review
Still a firm favourite of mine, Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum is a spicy ambroxan-bomb that remains the king of the compliment. Not the spicy/freshie of the EDT, nor the ultra-deep Sauvage Elixir, it’s a whole other animal.
Opening with zesty bergamot, pepper and bright lavender, this fragrance oozes class from the opening. After 10 minutes, this fragrance becomes ambroxan heavy with star anise and nutmeg, spicing things up.
Once fully settled, hints of smokey vanilla bring out the best of the spices and lavender, plus you get waves of peppery ambroxan leaps out to keep things interesting.
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum is an any-season fragrance lasting 8+ hours with good sillage and projection. This cologne made it to my 20 Most Complimented Men’s Fragrances article.
Overall, this remains a sexy and sophisticated male fragrance that is well known for getting the right attention. Top tip.. layer with Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille in autumn/winter to take this scent to the next level.
As an alternative, consider Versace Dylan Blue Pour Homme Eau de Toilette.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Pepper
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Star Anise, Nutmeg
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Ambroxan
Price & Reviews
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4. Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette
Review
Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette is the feel-good spicy/freshie that started it all and still smells youthful, fresh and modern.
The opening is ultra-fresh with zesty bergamot and pepper closely followed by fresh lavender. Geranium and vetiver bring a discreet woody twist to the heart.
Upon dry-down, ambroxan injects some crowd-pleasing muskiness, cedar and labdanum provide a woody/resin vibe.
Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette is an any-season and any-occasion fragrance lasting 7+ hours with stellar projection for the first 5 hours. Similar to Prada Luna Rosa Carbon.
Overall, the Eau de Toilette version is an ideal introduction to the Sauvage collection, especially for a younger crowd. I had a full bottle when it was launched but now cannot really go back to it as the EDP feels more mature for me personally.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Pepper
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Geranium, Vetiver, Patchouli
Base Notes:
Cedar, Labdanum, Ambroxan
Price & Reviews
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Andrew’s Top Pick
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum
Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum is the best-smelling version of Sauvage in the Dior Sauvage collection.
The stunning opening of pepper-dusted bergamot soon becomes ambroxan-heavy with star anise and nutmeg, spicing things up nicely. Lavender adds brightness, soothed by smokey vanilla.
Our Sauvage Video Review
Sauvage Overview
| Fragrance | Season | Longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Sauvage Elixir | Autumn/Winter | 9+ hours |
| Sauvage Parfum | Autumn/Winter/Spring | 6+ hours |
| Sauvage EDP | Any Season | 8+ hours |
| Sauvage EDT | Any Season | 7+ hours |
Conclusion
So, there you have it… Dior Sauvage Elixir vs Parfum vs Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette, tried, tested and compared. If I was going to blind buy, the EDT is great for someone young getting into fragrance, and the EDP is my pick overall. Elixir is ideal for a moody evening scent.
Also read: Dior Fahrenheit for Men: 3 Colognes Hotter Than Ever
Also Consider
Still hungry for fragrance? Don’t forget to check out my article on Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP vs Parfum and also my Dior Sauvage vs Armani Code comparison.
