Every few years the fragrance community collectively decides that a bestseller has been "nerfed" — quietly reformulated into a weaker version of itself. This month it's Dior Sauvage's turn, with batch codes from early 2026 under the microscope.
We tracked down a 2019 bottle and sprayed it side by side with a fresh 2026 batch. Same skin, same weather, same overly patient housemate as judge.
The verdict: the opening is nearly identical, but the drydown on the new batch sits closer to the skin after hour six. Is it a nerf? Slightly. Is it worth panic-buying old stock at double price? Absolutely not.
Our advice: if longevity matters to you, spray one extra time and save the collector prices for something rarer.