Most people asking this question think Extrait is just a stronger Elixir. It is not. They are two different fragrances that happen to share a name.
Here is the difference in one line: Elixir is spice, Extrait is wood.
Side by side
| Sauvage Elixir | Sauvage Extrait | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2021 | July 2026 |
| Made by | François Demachy | Francis Kurkdjian |
| Opens with | Nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, grapefruit | Lavender, ambroxan, bergamot |
| Heart | Lavender | Vietnamese oud |
| Base | Licorice, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, vetiver | Virginia cedar, Atlas cedar, vetiver, patchouli |
| Smells like | A spice market. Sweet, warm, a bit liqueur-like | Polished wood and incense. Dry, smoky, heavy |
| Sizes | 60ml, 100ml, 150ml | 50ml only |
| Dior UK RRP | £210 / 100ml | £153 / 50ml |
| Price per 100ml | £210 | £306 |
| Fragrantica | 4.30 from 19,193 votes | 3.71 from 1,193 votes |
| Aromara version | Solvage Noir, £40, in stock | Savage Oud, £40, waitlist |
The price trap nobody mentions
The Extrait looks cheaper. £153 against £210.
It is not. The Extrait only comes in 50ml. Scale both to the same size and the Extrait is £306 per 100ml against the Elixir's £210.
That is 46% more expensive for the same volume of liquid.
Which is stronger
Extrait, and Dior say so themselves. They mature it for 42 days before bottling and call it their first extrait de parfum for men.
Kurkdjian, who made it, was asked whether Dior could push the strength further. He said he was not sure they could go up from here.
Elixir held that crown for five years. It lost it in July 2026.
Which is better liked
Elixir, and it is not close.
4.30 out of 5 from 19,193 votes against 3.71 from 1,193. The Extrait is new so the sample is smaller, but 3.71 is a low score for a Dior flagship. The recurring complaint in the reviews is that people expected a stronger Elixir and got something drier and woodier instead.
Which is exactly the point of this article. If you buy the Extrait expecting more Elixir, you will be disappointed.
So which should you buy
Buy Elixir if you want warmth, sweetness and spice, you wear fragrance in the evening, you want a crowd-pleaser, or you want more than 50ml for your money.
Buy Extrait if you already own Elixir and want something different, you like oud and dry cedar, you want the strongest thing Dior makes, or you want a Sauvage nobody else is wearing.
Or try both for £13.98
Two 5ml samplers, one of each, at 35% Extrait. That is £13.98 against £363 to answer the question properly on your own skin.
- Solvage Noir, our Elixir. In stock, £40 for 50ml. 29 bottles in the last 90 days.
- Savage Oud, our Extrait. Waitlist open.
Both at 35% Extrait, a number Dior does not publish for either of theirs.
One thing worth knowing
Neither of these is the Sauvage most people picture. That is the 2015 eau de toilette, and it still outsells everything else in the line by a distance. If you want the one everyone knows, that is Savage Essence, not either of these.
Full breakdown of all seven versions: every Dior Sauvage explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sauvage Extrait stronger than Elixir?
Yes. Dior matures the Extrait for 42 days and call it their first extrait de parfum for men. Kurkdjian, who made it, said he is not sure they could go stronger.
Is Sauvage Extrait worth more than Elixir?
Per millilitre it costs more. The Extrait is £153 for 50ml, which is £306 per 100ml. The Elixir is £210 per 100ml. That is 46% more for the Extrait.
Do Extrait and Elixir smell similar?
No. Elixir is spicy and sweet: nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, licorice. Extrait is dry and woody: Vietnamese oud, cedar, vetiver. Same family opening, very different from there.
Which has better reviews?
Elixir, at 4.30 out of 5 from 19,193 Fragrantica votes, against 3.71 from 1,193 for the Extrait.
Is there a cheaper alternative to both?
Aromara makes Solvage Noir for the Elixir and Savage Oud for the Extrait, both £40 for 50ml at 35% Extrait, with 7+ hour wear guaranteed and 60 days to change your mind.
Related reading
- Every Dior Sauvage version explained
- Is Sauvage Extrait worth £153?
- Dior Sauvage Extrait Dupe UK
- Best Dior Perfume Dupes UK
Aromara is an independent UK fragrance brand. All scents are original creations inspired by well-known designer fragrances. No affiliation with Christian Dior. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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