THE FIRST SPRAY- Sauvage Extrait · Brotherhood Of Scent

THE FIRST SPRAY- Sauvage Extrait

Well my brothers, I was visiting Macy’s today, and saw this on the counter. And I knew it was time to give this one a try.

And I might I just say, while a lot of the designer releases haven’t been all that great, this one blew me away.

Now before we get into review here, I am a bit biased. Sauvage elixir is one of my favorite designer fragrances, and I find the spice blend both nostalgic and intoxicating.

Needless to say, my expectations were high, and even at the threshold, it still exceeded them.

This is one of those fragrances that smell quite different on paper. It has to be experienced on skin before any reviews can be truly made.

On paper, it’s dry, herbal, and intensely spicy.

On skin, it’s intense, but made clearer and warmer, with more of an amber behind it. If it was dry smoke on paper, it’s a reignition of the flame on skin.

Whilst the original Elixir had its own distinct style from Francois Demarchy, Francis K, the perfumer of Baccarat Rouge, and various other fragrances, much from Dior’s Private Collection, took that DNA, and put his own approach to it.

The opening is a completely different take, of a completely different take, of the original Sauvage. It’s basically unrecognizable, while still maintaining that core DNA. Like Sauron being reborn in the flaming eye after his defeat. You get the classic Ambroxan, Lavender, and Bergamot, but it’s mutated into something different. Something much more strong. And the combination with the spices and woods make it so.

The core note is just one, singular note, and the only one needed. Vietnamese Oud. It gives it a leathery, borderline animalic feature, but in a restrained way. This isn’t a sweet, appealing oud, but it’s completely wearable, and not a barnyard fecal oud either. Something in between. Like it’s restrained, but capable of being dangerous.

The drydown is where you get that beautiful elixir DNA best, but still with its own style. A blend of two styles of cedarwood, patchouli, and vetiver. The combination of citrus and lavender in the opening with the woods and vetiver here are what give it the slight, barbershop vibe, but the intense spiciness and oud make it much darker and more ambery.

It’s fiery, passionate, intense, loud, unapologetic, yet incredibly refined and regal. The addition of the Vietnamese oud keeps it within that territory and makes it a tad bit more leathery, but also more fierce.

This is the type of fragrance you wear that you want to call attention for, but not because you demand or crave it. It’s magnetic enough to draw people in, while still being simple enough to not come across as an insecure frat bro.

The perfect fragrance to wear with an overcoat, black leather gloves, a navy scarf, and Chelsea boots in the winter. It exudes masculine wealth and intensity, and as much as I love the elixir, isn’t as much in your face as this one is. It’s much smoother.

Either way, this one earns a ten out of ten from me. Spectacular performance. Excellent blending. Gorgeous DNA. One of the best, if not, the best designer release this year. I’ve never given a fragrance a ten out of ten in my reviews here, so you know it means something.

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THE FIRST SPRAY- Sauvage Extrait