Eau Sauvage Extreme by Dior

Upon trying it, I understand the nostalgia others mention; it carries a heavy load of vintage elements. It’s very imposing, with a high citrus and herbal charge, sustained by a moss base and a ‘sour’ accord similar to leather, but not malodorous. It’s dark, robust, and dense; not for extreme heat, but with moderation, it works in all four seasons. It looks elegant and alpha, for someone with experience and attitude, without sounding old, but rather nostalgic. It has good performance and evolves toward a less dark, more versatile side. I like it for its quality, but comparatively, I prefer scents like Acqua di Parma or Casamorati’s Regio, which I see as better balanced. Rating: 7/10.

This also smells like memories. A few weeks ago, I opened a bottle to evoke the end of high school: the scent of that Austrian jacket, the trolls in the Ozú chat, the tortilla sandwiches, the One Touch Easy messages, or the licorice sticks chewed during breaks. That’s what this cologne smelled like back then, along with incense and violet. My first bottle was identical to Antaeus—frosted black glass with a plastic cap. I bought this and others at my grandma’s pharmacy’s giant perfumeria, what a paradise! Extreme has changed, though not much; today it seems kinder, younger, and more floral. Still, it retains its distinctive hallmarks and has aged very well. The oakmoss is better executed than in others. I notice a lot of cedar at the start and a superb, rain-dampened, aniseed lavender. It gives off a fresh barbershop vibe, more personal than Bleu de Chanel. Then it patchoulifies and recalls Acqua di Gio. It doesn’t smell especially of lemon; it’s a fresh, icy cologne that’s very socially appropriate. It layers happily and performance is excellent. Longevity is durable and projection moderate. I wear it with pleasure, though today I prefer some later flankers.

My cousin Luis and I were perfume obsessives at 13, convinced that Vania, the daughter of some Lebanese neighbors, would fall for us; oh, big mistake—Puig’s Agua Brava didn’t impress her. Years later, after returning from his sailing trip on the ‘Cuauhtémoc’ following military school, he brought back French perfumes, and that’s how ‘Extreme’ entered my life in 1986. It became my first personal fragrance until it vanished in 1990; I remember going to the perfumeria unsuccessfully, and they offered Jazz instead, but that’s another story. Extreme is my second great love, after Signor Ricci and before Jazz. It marked a wonderful era at 19. At first, I didn’t like it, like a difficult book that requires rereading. It’s true to its black bottle: saturated, philosophical, and brilliant. It projects a bitter herbal effect twisted by amber, laurel, and permanent coriander seed. Sweet and citrusy but with a dark layer. It’s timeless since 1984, elevates its status, and fits perfectly in any situation. Although it seems discontinued in 2018, it’s 100% recommended. Thanks to @cheffpepor for the decant that led me to buy the bottle.

I absolutely love it. At first glance, it seemed like a fragrance that had nothing to do with me being citrus-based; too acidic and harsh, dominated by oakmoss. However, I’m obsessed with the Extreme version: it’s much more intense than the original, not just in projection and sillage, but due to the presence of rosemary, jasmine, patchouli, and laurel. Eau Sauvage Extreme could be considered a male counterpart to the classic Rochas Eau de Toilette for women: citrusy but with an aromatic and somber undertone. Eau Sauvage is refreshing and citrusy; Eau Sauvage Extreme is refreshing, citrusy, and narcotic. That’s the difference with the original.

I’m scared. I bought this fragrance for my partner thinking it would be good. Does anyone not like it???

I’m writing this review with a vintage bottle from the 80s. It opens powerfully with bergamot, lemon, lavender, and a sweet note from the ‘fruity’ accords. In the heart notes, aldehydes, coriander, laurel, lily-of-the-valley root, and jasmine appear. The dry down is long and deep, loaded with musk, oakmoss, cedar, non-sweet amber, and patchouli. I’m truly delighted to own it; it’s genuinely a ‘concentrated eau de toilette’ version of the 1966 Eau Sauvage. The sillage is heavy for at least six hours, with longevity exceeding 12 hours. It must be the best longevity and sillage I’ve experienced in the aromatic citrus family. I use it for daytime and formal occasions, preferably in summer or intermediate seasons, though it works well in winter too. It’s not for young people.

I never imagined Extreme by Eau Sauvage would return after years off the shelves. I first tried it in the summer of 2007; while it’s not really my style, its longevity and projection surpassed the original. I think it’s designed for evening wear, though the classic works well if reapplied. It’s an old fragrance; over time, other scents have managed to sound more current and interesting to the modern nose.