We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. With that in mind, it's fair to wonder if an update was even needed for this grooming essential. We had our doubts too, but Dior Sauvage Elixir not only surpasses the OGβit's the best cologne available full stop. How do you evolve an iconic, best-selling fragrance?
The answer, of course, is flankers, which are basically Fragrance World speak for similar yet different perfumes based on an original. Think of them like song remixes, taking the DNA of the original and reinterpreting, relayering, and reconceptualizing it.
It's no mistake that we awarded it the top spot in our guide of the best colognes for menβeven over the original. The boldest, most concentrated version of Sauvage yet, this ultra-long-lasting fragrance is spicier and deeper than the original Sauvage, giving it a mature and sensual nighttime feeling. The DNA of Sauvage is still intact with a top note that includes citrus though in this version it's more of a fleeting moment than the focal point , a healthy dose of lavender and notes of patchouli and vetiver in the base.
More than anything, I found in testing it that this one is all about longevity. While the original Sauvage may be better suited for everyday wear, Elixir is a bolder, more mature choice that not only sits well with the Sauvage family as a whole, but stands on its own. The result is a warmer, darker version of Sauvage with an underlying old-school barbershop vibe from the clean, soapy lavender.
The licorice note comes through toward the end, not in a bitter candy way, but more as a dash of warm sweetness. The draw of an elixir is that it should have more concentration of fragrance than, say, an eau de toilette, which gives it more longevity on the skin.
