Eau Sauvage (1966)
by Christian Dior

ES opens with a blast of lemon tempered with an herbal bouquet of lavender, thyme, basil, and cumin, which lend themselves to a good level of projection and longevity. Sauvage’s opening is a little strong for my taste, but it is a very good fragrance overall. After the opening, the floral heart of indoles like jasmine, rose, and lilac make themselves known in a smooth but edgy floral accord that gives way to a woody, musky, mossy base. ES certainly has something animalic about it—perhaps the cumin, which was drawn from Edmond Roudnitska’s early Eau de Hermes?

The first whiff is nothing short of a 'WOW!' Kudos to Roudnitska for the purported use of hédione to add extra zest to the citrus for this is arguably the best citrus opening bar none. Unfortunately for me that is the best part of EAU SAUVAGE, all 15 minutes of it. I don't get any florals, not even a fleeting note of jasmine, just a mossy and herbal mixture with a rather dated, musty feel - a strong vintage vibe reminding me of the scent's history as a fragrance favored by gentlemen circa 1960s-70s. I must admit I am disappointed that the much talked-about charms of Eau Sauvage escaped me. Perhaps another 5-10 years might provide me with the insights to fully appreciate such a well loved classic.

Updated review:

I gave this one another chance, and my opinion of it has improved slightly. The topnotes truly are beautiful. I get more lime and than lemon, and this combined with the basil and rosemary smells outstandingly natural, refined and pure.

But after about an hour of pleasure, there is just something about the way the moss and citrus and the basil mix that just doesn't sit right for me! The basil starts smelling wilted and old. I'm really beginning think it's my skin, because I don't get any jasmine to speak of, and rather than vetiver, I just get a damp, stale mossy note. It turns harsh and bitter and sour, with some sweaty animal notes thrown in. I'll give it a neutral for the topnotes and because I really suspect that it might be excellent on the right person.

wouldnt impress many of todays generation. would smell like freshly squeezed lime with some herbs...the feel would be sparkling and invigorating. nothing in it that would "impress" one rightaway. it's for someone who enjoys the finer things in life.like to keep things subtle without much noise and yet make an impression. This one a classicin my book and i love it. but, many may not. the lasting is quite poor too..unless you drown yourself in 15-20 sprays...if you like this type of scent and wish for better longevity, then Homme de Gres by Gres is the best alternative.

WHEN I SPRAYED THIS ON I WAS like UH OH! then waited and was really surprised .This is a great fragrance that has stood the test of time I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT FIRST THE LEMON DROPS then boom the base kicks in I found myself wanting to smell it more and more ,intoxicating smell I put it on at night 6pm and still smelled it the next day at 9am. Great longevity on me like azzaro.this is in my top 5 really like this one

My first bottle was a college graduation gift from an aunt who had just returned from Paris. Until Eau Sauvage, my idea of a fragrance was Old Spice After Shave. A whole new world opened up to me when I first smelled this one. When it was gone and I sought to replace it with another product, I soon came to realize that there was, at that time (and still today), very little that could challenge this ultra classic.

It opens with one of the best citrus openings in masculine fragrancy. No kidding, this accord is pure beauty with an elegant and refined citrus, herb and petit grain combination. It doesn’t last long, but it lasts long enough to have had me coming back to it for forty years. The opening citrus is replaced by an excellent floral — the first modern masculine fragrance to have such a formula, Dior claims. These florals, too, are exquisite and with the woodnotes form a rich full accord that has excellent lasting power. The drydown provides a very soft, close to the skin musk and moss refinement. Considering that it is a citrus scent, I get quite good longevity from Eau Sauvage. I think when someone complains about the lack of longevity of this fragrance, they might be thinking primarily of the opening. It is true that the opening citrus isn’t long lasting, but that’s the nature citrus accords. I think that the floral / patchouli heart notes and the musky / mossy basenotes are often not given enough credit for being as beautiful as they are. This is a complete scent from its citrus beginning to its mossy conclusion — about four to six hours on my skin. What can I say? Eau Sauvage is superb — it is as desirable, elegant, and as current today as it was when I first wore it forty years ago. One of the really GREAT ones. (Edit of 06 January 2006 review.)