BR 540 Extrait

BR 540 Extrait opens up a lot sweeter and woodier than the EDP, with the burnt sugar scent hitting me right away. The aromatic cedar is prominent as well. The jasmine lends an indistinct, light floral sweetness. It's quite airy and diffuse, especially for an extrait. It goes a bit medicinal on me for the first two hours or so (oddly enough, it smells just like salted dried plums). It might be the saffron, which is very concentrated and leathery sharp.

The dry down about 2-3 hours in is very similar to that of the EDP. The sharpness from the opening has smoothed out and it is much less sweet. I'm left with a well blended cloud of faint burnt sugar, aromatic cedar, a touch of the lemony freshness from the EDP that was hidden before, a gentle, suede-like saffron and ambergris and clean musks that give the effect of pure ocean air. The total effect is meditative, fresh, but still warm and inviting.

The performance on this is stellar. It has excellent longevity and projects very well, enveloping the wearer in a wonderful scent cloud. This is one that's easy to go somewhat anosmic to, but know that it will last all day even if you don't smell it.

Compared to the EDP, the first two hours are much woodier and sweeter, without much of the lemony freshness and delicate herbal nuances. The dry down is more similar to the drydown of the EDP, but the ambergris, musks, and cedarwood dominate - in the EDP I get more sugar, lemon, and herbs even in the dry down. The Extrait has a dryer, less musky and less sweet drydown than the EDP - I get more of a woody, forest/ocean air type of fresh vibe. I think the Extrait may be ever so slightly more masculine leaning as a result, though both are firmly in the unisex camp.

This is a very pleasant and diffuse scent that is warm but also fresh. It's the perfect combination for an every day scent. So easy to wear, elegant and well done - a cult classic for a reason. I prefer the opening/mid of the EDP and the dry down of the Extrait, though both dry downs are fantastic. It's hard to choose! 9.75/10 rating as I wish I had the opening of the EDP.