During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have embarked upon an exploration of fragrance that has unearthed some exciting and newfound discoveries. Sure, I have amassed a decent stock of cologne, but I really wanted to experiment and expand my olfactory options. That being stated, I am a gentleman with humble pockets, so my findings have been modest in nature. Now, before I learned of the love-hate relationship that many gentlemen have with the featured cologne above, I spied a bottle of Dior Sauvage a few years ago but never pulled the trigger on the purchase. I sampled the scent and it was pleasant, but again, I did not commit to the purchase. I was not in the market for a new fragrance, so I kept my funds in my wallet. 

Fast-forward to the initial lockdown of 2020, and the casual perusal of cologne at the nearby shopping mall was no longer an option. And like many people across the globe, online shopping became the preferred method for procuring goods. Drawing upon my memory of the scent, I finally decided to commit the dollars. So, back to the aforementioned love-hate relationship that Sauvage invokes; it’s an attention-getting cologne that is ubiquitous amongst the male population due to mass marketing. Surely you’ve seen the Johnny Depp advertisements. Celebrity and popular criticism aside, I lean into what works for me. If you care for an honest assessment of this high-selling, 2015 release – continue on my friend.

Observations

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pepper

Middle Notes: Patchouli, Pink Pepper, Lavender, Sichuan Pepper, Vetiver 

Base Notes: Cedar, Ambroxan, Labdanum

• I really, really like the presentation of Dior Sauvage. I’m a simple guy. The cylindrical flask boats a minimalistic design punctuated with subtle touches of elegance. The magnetic cap (which snaps right into place over the atomizer) is marked by three circular indentations that wrap all the way around. The Christian Dior logo is discreetly engraved on the top. The atomizer is stiff to the touch; exhibiting a slow, controlled mist when deployed. The bottle sports a dark, metallic blue hue that gradually fades following the length of the bottle. The effect is visually cool. The words Sauvage Dior mark the body of the bottle with slightly raised lettering. Simple, but still classy.
• Warning: Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette can be an aggressive scent. It was quite harmless when I sampled it at the shopping mall. However, after performing approximately 3-4 pumps on the atomizer, I instantly recognized that was perhaps 3 pumps too many. Seriously, a gentleman must practice some restraint when it involves this fragrance. I would recommend approximately 1-2 sprays. Proceed with caution if you are feeling adventurous because too much will certainly induce a slight migraine. Dior Sauvage will definitely provide a strong 6-8 hours of performance with pretty good projection the first few hours.
• The fragrance opens with a fresh, slightly citrusy introduction. Transitioning into the middle notes, Sauvage has a strong peppery vibe and earthy touch that can be overwhelming if the application is too heavy. Applied correctly, the result should be a warm, slightly spicy scent that settles into a woody, synthetic aroma. 
• Dior Sauvage is best suited for the modern gentleman that gravitates toward sharp, bold fragrances that demand attention without being overly obnoxious. In my humble opinion, this fragrance performs best during evening hours; preferably in sophisticated settings that welcome a touch of class. This is a year-round fragrance that performs best in an wide open setting. This cologne needs to expand. And trust, it’s potent enough to cut through any competing aromas in the surrounding area. Given that fact, I would not recommend this cologne for the office. The close quarters with fellow colleagues may be too much.
• Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette can be procured in the following sizes: 1.0 ounce priced at $56.00, 2.0 ounces priced at $80.00, 3.4 ounces priced at $97.00, and 6.7 ounces priced at $150.00 – Available in-store and online: Dior, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, and other fine men’s department stores.