Eau Sauvage Extrême (new / Intense) (2010)
by Christian Dior

A (somehow) modernized version of the classic Eau Sauvage, for sure aimed to younger people, as it presents sweeter and fruitier top notes with smooth lavender and patchouli mixed in, followed by aromatic-spicy notes (basil, coriander, rosemary) combined with some musty-green aldehydes, mellow jasmine and a creamy sandalwood that lead the way to the longlasting base where it loses some of the fruity-aromatic accord in favour of woody-honeyed notes (oakmoss, cedar, patchouli, smoky amber).
On my skin it has a wonderful evolution, similar (to a certain extent and adequate proportions) with Guerlain Homme Intense, Hermes Voyage EDP and Chanel Allure Blanche.
Great projection/sillage in the first 1-2 hrs. then close to skin, lasting on me up to 6-8 hrs. Overall a solid quality fragrance from Dior at a fair price.
My personal ranking 8.8/10

citrus opening and very woody lavender drydown, rather low duration.....

Greener extrême

This indeed has not much to do with lthe discontinued original. Much less citrus in the opening, overall giving me a lavender-based drydown with a wood note. Pleasant, less fresh, with three hours of longevity.

Smooth, dry ambery and luxuriant this new release is a far parent of the glorious original. It is conceptually closer to Pour Un Homme and Habit Rouge (in a more modern way) than to Imprinting il Profvmo and Blenheim Bouquet. The new Extreme is not an aromatic fougere or a sparkling rosemary/oregano kind of cologne but more properly a sort of semi-oriental fruity/resinous melancholic chypre. After the first citric (un-dry) vigorous blast (with a subdued herbal presence, at least in the perception), the aroma evolves towards a sort of oily/waxy lavender soap with balmy nuances of bergamot, spicy orange (cinnamon?), musk, ripe fruits (apricot??) and rose-jasmine. The smell lacks almost utterly the fresh/aromatic herbal vibe while introduces a darker smokey (tobacco flavoured) type of ambery smoothness The dry down is made of silky lavender/musk, creamy cedarwood, fruity-floral oil with patchouli and hints of balsams (benzoin, amber, myrrh??). I wonder if some caraway is included in the blend in order to push up the intensity of elements around. Vaguely colonial in an aristocratic way, this scent smells like a soapy/waxy bergamot oil with a rosey/musky and orangy background. A different but equally well appointed juice, with an undeniable oleous/hesperidic indolent decadence.
P.S: After 3-4 hours I detect vetiver in the dry down. It is dense and honeyed. A great one.