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Dior Sauvage is a constant best seller, but so is the Gentleman series from Givenchy. It’s just spread over different fragrances with less in common with one another versus the Sauvage lineup.
One of the more popular options over the past few years, has been Givenchy Gentleman Society. Guys will often look for it and want to compare it with the popular Sauvage EDT.
In this post, I’m going to give my comparisons between these colognes, and talk about which I feel is the better of them.
Tale of the Tape: Sauvage vs. Gentleman Society
Sauvage EDT
Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes
Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce
Gentleman Society
Notes include: sage, cardamom, daffodil, vetiver, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla
Click here to try: Gentleman Society
Read my review: Gentleman Society by Givenchy
Opening
Sauvage starts off with a blast of bergamot, pepper, and the ambroxan note. It’s super bright, energetic, and clean.
The Sichuan pepper is a powerhouse early on, as is the bergamot note. The citrus here is very noticeable and actually is a nice note, even when it feels quite sharp.
The lavender will take on more of a role later on, but it’s presence is felt throughout.
Gentleman Society begins with a sweet, spicy, and seemingly nutty mix of notes. Sage is a leader up top, with some cardamom also coming through. That’s the spice of the mix.
Not too spicy, but tempered by the vanilla note and daffodil, that has it shine in the early stages of the wear.
Which cologne do I prefer here? I’m going with the Givenchy scent over the Dior for the opening.
It’s more interesting has a smoother blend than what I get with Sauvage EDT.
Edge: Society
Projection
The original Sauvage is an eau de toilette versus Society which is a higher concentrate eau de parfum.
However, it’s actually a closer match up in terms of their projection and sillage. Both start out as being above average with their reach. Neither is a weak fragrance, so don’t worry about that.
Then, both will moderate during the wear.
I think that Society has a high peak, though. Along with that, it maintains a higher level for me for longer.
Not a huge win here, but an advantage for the Givenchy.
Edge: Society
Longevity
With Sauvage EDT, it will last for 7-8 hours on my skin. It’s always been a solid performer and definitely gives you some value, in this regard.
But, Gentleman Society lasts longer than the Dior. For me, it seems to quit around 9 hours, so it can provide an extra hour or two of wear beyond what Sauvage seems capable of.
Givenchy takes this category.
Edge: Society
Versatility
Seasonally, I’d say Society is better autumn through early spring. I’ve worn it when it’s warm out and wasn’t pleased with the results.
Sauvage, does a better job across seasons. I’d still avoid extreme cold with it, but it can be fine for almost any other conditions.
Neither of these is a formal fragrance. Society seems geared toward younger guys, as does Sauvage to some extent. Day or night with either, but Sauvage actually might be the better daily wear.
I think this is where Sauvage EDT has a slight advantage.
Edge: Sauvage
Overall Scent
So, overall, which of these fragrances do I prefer?
I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Sauvage. I don’t hate it, I think that it smells fine, but I have grown tired of it and all the scents that have copied its style.
That being said, I still can appreciate the fragrance’s performance and the dry down which is better once the pepper note calms down.
With the Givenchy, I like the opening 45 minutes or so of the wear. That’s the highlight of the fragrance. After that, it’s fine but sort of boring, but I don’t think Sauvage does anything to make me really want it versus its competitor.
I’ll take Society over a bottle of Sauvage, even if I don’t love that Givenchy cologne. Actually, I would go with Society Extreme, which I enjoy much more than either of the fragrances we’re comparing in this post.
I might also pick Sauvage EDP over Society.
But, between these two, it’s Gentleman Society EDP.
Winner: Society
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.