An Adventure in a Bottle: A Review of Dior’s Sauvage Cologne

The fragrance for a daring and dashing dude.

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I’ve been wearing Sauvage for the past 3 years and it’s been a staple in our best colognes list since then, not to mention a top seller in our men’s gift guide year after year.

It’s tough to try to convey what a cologne truly smells like online, but we’re doing our darnedest to provide an honest review of Sauavage and include important things to know about like: what it smells like, what the notes are all about, what the best price online is, how long it last, its sillage level, similar colognes, pros, cons – you name it.

If this doesn’t help you make the decision if it’s the right fragrance for you, we haven’t done our job.

Dior Sauvage is a timeless fragrance for the bold and confident man. It’s a fragrance that turns heads and leaves a lasting impression. A perfect blend of fresh and spicy notes, Sauvage is perfect for a night out on the town or a power meeting during the day.

The top notes of Calabrian bergamot and pepper blend seamlessly with middle notes of Sichuan pepper and elemi. The base notes of ambroxan and vanilla provide a strong and masculine foundation to this scent. In short, Sauvage is a cologne that is rough yet refined, strong yet subtle, and wild yet sophisticated. Simply put, it’s a scent that embodies the true essence of a modern-day savage (see what we did there?)

NOTES BREAKDOWN

Sauvage cologne features a blend of different notes that come together to create a unique and memorable scent. Here’s a breakdown of the main notes in the fragrance:

TOP NOTES

Calabrian bergamot and pepper provide a bright and spicy opening to the fragrance.
The bergamot adds a fresh citrusy edge.
The pepper provides a sharp, spicy kick.

MIDDLE NOTES

Sichuan pepper and elemi add depth and intensity to the fragrance.
The Sichuan pepper provides a warm, spicy quality, while the elemi adds a fresh, resinous note.

BASE NOTES

Ambroxan and vanilla provide a rich and masculine finish to the scent.
The ambroxan gives a woody, amber-like quality.
Vanilla adds a sweet and comforting note.

WHAT DOES SAUVAGE REALLY SMELL LIKE

From a high-level, Sauvage smells crisp and clean, with a spicy edge that gives it an intense masculinity.

In terms of real-life comparisons, some could say the scent of Sauvage similar to a cool breeze blowing through a mountainous landscape, a walk through a pine forest after a fresh rain – all with hints of spicy spices and sweet vanilla.

It’s unique and instantly recognizable, with a blend of fresh, spicy, and ambery notes that are both invigorating and long-lasting.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST

Every body type is different and things like the weather, skin type, and overall individual body chemistry can impact the longevity of a fragrance, but overall Sauvage cologne can last anywhere from 6-8 hours – making it a great choice to wear for a full (ish) work day or a night out with the boys or date night.

Hours

SAUVAGE SILLAGE LEVEL

Dior Sauvage has a moderate sillage level, meaning that the scent is noticeable, but not overpowering. It’s designed to provide a subtle yet noticeable trail of scent, without being too heavy or intrusive.

Sillage Level:

Moderate

It’s a great choice for those who want to make an impact with their fragrance, but who also want to avoid overwhelming those around them – and turning heads in all the wrong ways.

THE PROS & CONS

WHAT WE LOVE

Timeless and sophisticated scent.
Long-lasting, with a moderate sillage level.
Perfect for both day and night.
Suitable for a variety of different occasions – from work to a night out.
A versatile fragrance that can be worn all year round.

JUST A HEADS-UP

May not be suitable for everyone’s personal taste in cologne scents
Some people felt it could be a little strong, so less can be more.
Larger bottles can be expensive compared to other fragrances.

IF YOU LIKE SAUVAGE, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

Mugler A*Men

Versace Eros

Gucci Guilty Absolute

Prada Luna Rossa

SAUVAGE PRICE COMPARISON

We took a look at the price of Sauvage Eau De Toilette (2 ounce bottle) from a wide variety of trusted online retailers to see where some of the best prices can be found. Note, prices were accurate at time of publication and are subject to change.

MACY'S

$ 0

NORDSTROM

$ 0

SEPHORA

$ 0

ULTA

$ 0

At this time the average price across all major retailers is at $100 for a 2 oz bottle.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Listen up guys and gals, if you’re in the market for a fragrance that exudes sophistication and confidence, then you need to check out Sauvage.

This cologne really is the perfect blend of spicy, woody, and fresh notes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion, whether you’re slaying it at work or turning heads on a night out.

And let’s not forget about its moderate sillage and long-lasting formula, ensuring that your scent will make an impression and linger for hours to come -up to 8, in fact.

Not only does this cologne smell amazing, but you really can wear it just about any time of the year. And let’s not forget the brand behind it all – Dior, the epitome of luxury and high-end fashion.

Now, I know that not everyone’s into bold scents like Sauvage, but for those of you who are, you’ll love the way it makes you feel. It’ll put a little pep in your step like it did mine.

Sauvage Cologne Editor Rating:

 4.5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT ONLINE

Patrick Varone

Patrick is the Founder, Chief Trends Editor, and overall fun guy of Trendsicle.com since 2006 (yes, really). He used his digital expertise to create and launch BestProducts.com for Hearst Magazines in 2015, was named as one of the "Top 100 Thought Leaders" by Folio Magazine, and has contributed original content to publishers like BestProducts, Brostrick, Giftsicle, The Wine Down Report, Harper’s BAZZAR, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and more. He's also the published author of The Manifestation Journal. Overall, he's been writing about and reviewing products since 2014.

An Adventure in a Bottle: A Review of Dior’s Sauvage Cologne

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT

NOTES BREAKDOWN