Both Creed Aventus and Dior Sauvage come under the fougere fragrance family. But are these two perfumes at all similar?
I can say for certain that Aventus and Sauvage are both incredibly popular fragrances, so naturally, I wanted to find out more.
If you’ve been wondering which one to choose, your quest is over. I’ve pitted them against one another, and at the end of this review, you’ll discover which I think is best and for what reason.
First Up: Creed Aventus
Many view Creed as the epitome of luxury. While actually a niche brand, Creed produces extremely high-quality fragrances that are largely unmatched in the world of perfume.
Aventus was released in 2010 and is a chypre fruity fougere perfume for men that’s based around the idea of power and success. You certainly get the feeling of being strong and able to take on the world when wearing it. It’s an experience unlike any other.
Creed Aventus is also a very unique fragrance. You’ll immediately recognize it, which could be a blessing or a curse depending on how you look at it. Some people don’t like the idea of wearing such an easily recognizable perfume and want to remain a little more mysterious. In contrast, others revel in the notion that people will instantly catch onto their sophistication and excellent taste in fragrance.
The composition begins with a fresh and fruity burst of pineapple, blackcurrant, apple, and bergamot. It almost feels edible, but this soon melds into a heart of jasmine, rose, birch, and patchouli. For fans of an earthy scent, the birch and patchouli are excellent. In fact, you might almost compare this to walking through a forest in spring.
As Aventus dries down to the base, we get wafts of musk, oakmoss, ambergris, and vanilla. It’s sweet and yet not too much since there’s a heavy masculine vibe to it. As it sits on the skin, it’ll continue to project for hours and the performance of this fragrance is truly one of its main selling points.
Aventus projects exceptionally well without being offensive and lasts long after spraying. It’ll sit for days on your clothing or at least until you wash it, and on the skin, you can expect a good ten hours before it starts to fade.
What I like about Aventus is how versatile it is. It’s strong enough to wear during winter, and it would make a nice summer fragrance too. Just be careful not to go over the top as with all that heat, it could become cloying. If you want a stand-out signature, then go ahead and choose Aventus, it’ll certainly work in a variety of situations. However, some people feel that it’s a little too much for daytime wear and opt to save it for a special occasion.
If there’s one thing that puts many people off Creed Aventus, it’s the price. I won’t try to hide that this is a pricey perfume. The smallest bottle, containing just 50ml of fragrance will set you back $335. There are five sizes, with the largest coming in a 1000ml bottle that comes in at $1,695. Is it worth it, I hear you cry? Well, yes and no.
You’re paying for a lovingly crafted perfume that’s been made with the finest ingredients. If you want quality, you have to be willing to pay. What’s more, with how well the perfume performs, you won’t need to keep buying a new bottle every couple of months. On the flip side, does anyone want to part with that much cash for a perfume? That’s a matter of personal opinion.
If you are a fan of Creed Aventus, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are other perfumes in the range. The Aventus Cologne is a popular choice and for the ladies, there’s even a women’s version. With Creed, you’re definitely not limited on choice.
Next Up: Dior Sauvage
Sauvage is an aromatic fougere fragrance released in 2015, five years after Aventus. I need to point out that while they’re both fougere fragrances, these two fragrances are entirely different from each other.
Dior Savauge is based around the concept of the wild and a raw and rugged ambiance. The advertising campaign featuring actor Johnny Depp garnered a lot of attention and had men clamoring to get their hands on a bottle. As such, this has become one of the best-selling men’s fragrances of recent years.
Now this could be a dealbreaker for many as there have been complaints that you can smell Sauvage wherever you go owing to how many people are wearing it. On the other hand, because it’s so well-loved, you could blind buy it and feel pretty confident that it’ll be a hit.
Sauvage opens with a fresh hit of bergamot alongside the spiciness of pepper. It’s a nice pairing that goes well together. As it moves into the heart, middle notes of Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, elemi, and geranium come through. It’s clearly a more complex blend than Aventus and is favored by many because of the warm spiciness.
For me, it’s the base that really excels, which consists of cedar, labdanum, and ambroxan. It’s warm, woody, and sweet all at the same time.
I think that what makes Dior Sauvage such a successful fragrance is that it is so versatile. Now, let me start by saying that you’ll struggle to get it to project in colder weather so that’s pretty much out the window. But at any other time of year, Sauvage can quite easily be your go-to fragrance. It’ll work just as well for a lunchtime meeting as it would for a black-tie event.
It doesn’t perform as intensely as Aventus but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I love that Sauvage will get you noticed without having to be extremely loud. It’s certainly more delicate and intimate but still, people within a good few feet of you will catch a whiff.
Where longevity is concerned, Dior Sauvage will stay on the skin for a long time. It becomes less noticeable once it’s dried down, but it’s there nonetheless.
But let’s face facts, we’re all looking for a bargain and if you want a designer fragrance that’s not going to break the bank, I’d highly recommend Sauvage. It comes in either a 1oz, 2oz, 3.4oz, or 6,8oz bottle costing $55, $85, $104, or $155 respectively so it’s far more affordable than Aventus.
What’s more, Dior has an astonishing range of Sauvage perfumes. Although I’ve been looking at the EDT, but there’s an EDP and a Parfum version if that’s something you prefer. They’ve also recently released the Sauvage skincare range which includes moisturizers, shaving gel, and aftershave balm. If you wanted a fragrance where you could use an entire product line, this would definitely suit you.
My Comparison: Creed Aventus Vs. Dior Sauvage
Scent
What’s great about these two fragrances is that they are totally different. Aventus is a fruity, sweet fragrance, whereas Sauvage is much warmer and spicier. It’s therefore going to be straightforward for you to choose a favorite based on your personal preference.
For me, it’s Dior Sauvage. I’m a sucker for a spicy perfume and this one definitely hits the spot. I also love the warmth of the woody notes and the earthiness of the patchouli.
However, if you like something sweeter, then the fruity start to Aventus followed by that delicious vanilla at the base will do it for you.
Performance
I can’t deny that Creed Aventus quite easily outperforms Dior Sauvage in every way. It is a fragrance that will instantly stand out in a crowd and is loud and intense. It’s about being powerful and strong and Aventus certainly allows you that, especially in a situation where you want to get noticed.
It also lasts much better on the skin and on clothing. While it does quiet down a little towards the end, it’s still very evident. On the other hand, once Sauvage dries down, you’ll need to be up close and personal to get a proper sniff of it.
How Does It Feel?
Wearing these two fragrances gives you two entirely different experiences. Creed Aventus will stand out and make you feel as though you are the center of attention. If you want a lot of compliments, it’ll do the job well. Keep in mind that some people might find it a little over the top. But in short, wearing Creed Aventus will make you feel as though you’re the king of the world.
Dior Sauvage is a much less intense experience but by no means a lesser experience; it all depends on what you want. You see, when you wear this perfume, you’ll still feel strong but in a much more playful and less serious way. There’s something about Sauvage that just feels easy and carefree, and I really love that aspect of it.
Versatility
Both of these fragrances are incredibly versatile but in different ways. Dior Sauvage makes an excellent signature and you’ll quite easily be able to wear it to almost any event. Even if it will struggle a little in the winter.
Creed Aventus, on the other hand, performs very well in colder weather but for some, it may be too much in the summer. But again, you could get away with wearing this for any occasion.
Timelessness
Again, it’s very difficult to pick a clear winner when it comes to the timelessness of these fragrances. They both contain notes that have long been and, in my opinion, will always be popular, but they’re just so different.
For fans of fruitier perfumes, Creed will become a classic if it isn’t already considered that. Whereas for aromatic fans, Dior Sauvage will continue to be a go-to for many years to come.
Presentation
Personally, I love the Dior Sauvage bottle. It’s elegant, manly, and just looks great up there on the vanity unit. I’m not a huge fan of the Aventus bottle. For a fragrance that is so expensive, the bottle, for me, makes it look cheaper than it is. It is possible that you disagree with me here. And that’s okay, it’s just a matter of personal taste.
That said, when you buy one of the larger bottles, Creed Aventus comes in a different style. Instead of the square bottle with black accents, you get a round bottle with gold or silver Creed logos splattered all over it. This looks far better, in my opinion, and should be used as the main deal. But that’s not something I can see happening.
Value For Money
Regardless of the vast price difference between these two scents, I believe Dior Sauvage is the best value for money. No, it doesn’t have the same intense performance but it still does extremely well, and for the price, you’re getting a top-notch designer fragrance.
Creed Aventus is a great perfume, and it’s not overpriced when you consider the perfume expertise that’s gone into its creation, as well as the fine ingredients. However, for most people, paying into the thousands for a bottle of perfume is something they can only dream about. Elite status is required if you want to wear this as a signature scent. Either that or potentially remortgage your home to keep up with the cost.
The Winner Of Creed Aventus Vs. Dior Sauvage
I’ve had fun comparing these two fragrances as they have so many differences. However, that does make it challenging to pick an overall winner as they both excel in different ways.
But, that’s what I’m here to do and so for me, Dior Sauvage is the obvious choice. I think it’s a wonderful scent and works well for all sorts of occasions. It’s super easy to wear and even though it might not have quite as intense a performance as Aventus, it’s more than enough to get you noticed and receive compliments.
Like I said earlier, I love the spice and warmth of Dior Sauvage. It’s comforting and masculine without being over the top.
But if there’s anything that makes Dior Sauvage a clear winner, it’s the value for money. Even where designer fragrances are concerned, it’s not a bank breaker. But compared to Aventus, it’s much more realistically priced for fragrance fans who want something that isn’t going to put them into debt. And for what you pay, it’s an incredible perfume.
